09/08/2026
“As Féile Beag 2026 drew to a close, it was impossible not to acknowledge the people who make weekends like this possible. Credit is due to Melvin, Josephine, Ann, Martina, Ollie, Simon, Lorraine, Kevin, Ben, Stu, the staff at Hickey's, Jigsaw, every artist who performed and, of course, everyone who bought a ticket. Their collective passion, commitment and support are what give Féile Beag its unique character, proving once again that the festival's greatest strength isn't just the music—it's the community that comes together to celebrate it.”
****
If Friday belongs to discovery and Saturday to momentum, then Sunday is Féile Beag at its best. With the finish line in sight, the festival takes on a different energy as crowds gather early, determined to squeeze every last moment from the weekend. The atmosphere is warmer, louder and more celebratory, making the final day feel less like the end of a festival and more like its grand finale.
MY FATHER THE KING wasted little time making their mark, opening the main stage with a performance that instantly energised the early crowd. Their blend of driving guitars and infectious energy ensured Sunday got off to a flying start.
Looks Like Eve kept the momentum firmly on their side, following My Father the King with a punchy, punk-infused set that refused to let the energy levels dip. Loud, chaotic and gloriously unapologetic, they tore through their songs with real conviction. Another standout performance from a band that feels built for the festival circuit.
Gogga doesn't need theatrics to command a stage. Armed with little more than a guitar and a voice that carries equal measures of grit and melody, he delivered a straight-ahead rock 'n' roll set that let the songs do the heavy lifting. It's an approach that feels increasingly rare, but one that continues to resonate, proving once again that authenticity can be every bit as powerful as spectacle.
The Shane McGuire Band were up next, and it didn't take long for the atmosphere around the main stage to shift up another gear. Festival regulars they may be, but familiarity hasn't dulled their impact. Mixing their own material with a carefully chosen run of covers, the band delivered a set that felt warm, unforced and completely in tune with the Sunday afternoon mood.
Bright Falls made a welcome return to the Féile Beag stage following their hiatus, and it was as though they'd never been away. Eddie and the band slipped effortlessly back into their stride, delivering a confident, emotionally charged set that rekindled memories of years gone by.
Festival favourites Strings & Things once again proved why they're such a natural fit for Féile Beag. Their trademark blend of traditional Irish instrumentation and contemporary songs is a formula that never loses its charm, transforming familiar favourites into something entirely their own. Better still, they have an uncanny ability to set the place alight, turning every performance into a joyful, crowd-wide celebration.
Sandwiched between two traditional acts, U-Turn offered a timely injection of classic rock. Their set of crowd-pleasing anthems landed exactly as intended, keeping the energy around the main stage firmly in the red and proving once again why they're such dependable festival performers.
Led by Pat Wright's dazzling accordion playing, Gobán Saor delivered a thrilling set packed with virtuoso musicianship, infectious energy and an undeniable sense of joy. It was impossible not to get swept up in the performance, making them one of Sunday's most memorable discoveries.
Closing the weekend were local favourites Jester, a band whose long association with Féile Beag has made them one of its defining live acts. Fresh from the release of their latest single, 'Talking In Your Sleep', they also unveiled two more tracks from their forthcoming album, 'Faces' and 'What Goes Up Must Come Down', both suggesting there's plenty more to come.
As ever, Colly, Tossy, Mark, Shocks, Harry and Davy attacked the stage with complete conviction, delivering a set packed with razor-sharp originals, infectious hooks and the kind of chemistry that only comes from years of playing together. By the time the final chorus rang out, the crowd were fully in the grip of what could only be described as "Jester Fever", bringing the curtain down on Féile Beag 2026 in fittingly unforgettable fashion.
*****
As on Saturday, the Sully Stage continued to play a vital role in the festival, offering a platform for an eclectic mix of artists between the main stage performances. This year's Sunday lineup featured Aleksej Barons, Keltic Swing, John O'Sullivan, Sun Merchant, Dear Readers and Locan Lyons, each adding their own flavour to a stage that proved every bit as rewarding as its bigger counterpart.
Among the Sully Stage highlights were Keltic Swing, who looked to have found another gear this year. Joe and the band delivered a commanding performance full of confidence, musicianship and charisma.
Dear Readers continued their steady rise with another assured set, their growing confidence and songwriting impossible to ignore.
Meanwhile, Sun Merchant brought a welcome change of pace, weaving Mediterranean influences into their sound to create one of the weekend's freshest and most distinctive performances, earning an enthusiastic response from the crowd.
A special mention must go to Locan Lyons, whose solo performances have long marked him out as a talent worth watching. Joining Gobán Saor on stage, though, revealed something different. Surrounded by a full band, Lyons looked completely in his element, the chemistry between the musicians creating something genuinely special.
