Smithfield Square will come alive this May as the Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival returns for its fourth year on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026. This free, family-friendly event celebrates the life and legacy of one of Dublin’s most iconic voices, with a weekend of live music, storytelling and community-led events inspired by Luke Kelly’s lasting impact on Irish culture.

Now firmly established in Dublin’s cultural calendar, this year’s festival continues to honour Luke Kelly’s legacy, celebrating his influence through contemporary voices, traditional music and community storytelling.

The Luke Kelly Stage will feature a standout line-up of Irish talent across the weekend, with a strong day-by-day programme.

Saturday, 23^rd May

Main Stage Saturday, 23 May

• 1:00–2:00pm – The Luke Kelly Bursary Award Winners introduced by George Murphy:
  Aoife Maguire, Johnny Joyce, Christina Collins, Daniel Doherty
• 3:00–4:00pm – a lazarus soul
• 5:00–6:00pm – Gemma Dunleavey

O’Donoghue’s Tent Saturday, 23 May

• 12:00–1:00pm – Ballad Session with Hank Byrne and Friends
• 2:00–3:00pm – Ballad Session with Hank Byrne and Friends
• 4:00–5:00pm – Ballad Session with Hank Byrne and Friends

The Bailey Saturday, 23 May

• 12:00–1:00pm – Bódhran Workshop
• 2:00–3:00pm – Freedom Come All Ye:
  Award-winning Scots singers Steve Byrne and Iona Fyfe join Donal Fallon to discuss Luke’s love for the folk songs of Scotland.
• 4:00–5:00pm – Luke and the Beautiful Game:
  Writers, historians and League of Ireland fanatics Dermot Bolger, Declan Lynch and Donal Fallon explore the hidden histories of Irish football and the important role of soccer in the Kelly family.

Arts and Crafts Saturday, 23 May

• 12:00–3:00pm – Strings & Skyline: A Paint by Numbers Adventure:
  A large paint by numbers tableau of 5 Dubliners against the skyline of Dublin town. Suitable for all ages!
• 12:00–1:00pm – Wearable Luke Kelly hair and beard:
  Make a headband of orange hair or a beard. Wearable art! Suitable for all ages!
• 2:00–3:00pm – I’ll Tell Me Ma Comic Book Page:
  Create a comic book page where you can draw and write your own version of the famous song! Suitable for all ages!
• 4:00–5:00pm – Make a Jacob’s Kimberly or Mikado Harmonica!
  Luke Kelly’s Dad worked in Jacob’s Biscuit Factory so get inspired to make your own biscuit-themed harmonica! Younger children may need an adult with them to help!
• 4:00–6:00pm – Strings & Skyline: A Paint by Numbers Adventure:
  A large paint by numbers tableau of 5 Dubliners against the skyline of Dublin town. Suitable for all ages!

The Centre Half Saturday, 23 May

• 12:00–6:00pm – The Football Field
  • Mega Football Penalty Shootout
  • Junior Penalty Shootout
  • Air Jets Football Game Table
• 12:00–6:00pm – The Golf Corner
  • Chip Shot – Golf Game
  • 9-Hole Crazy Golf

Lighthouse Cinema Saturday, 23 May

• 6:30pm – Celtic Utopia

Sunday, 24^th May

Main Stage Sunday, 24 May

• 1:00–2:00pm – The Luke Kelly Bursary Award Winners introduced by George Murphy:
  Jack Nico, Julia McCarthy Dillon, Jacqui Ní Fhaoláin, David Harris
• 3:00–4:00pm – Muireann Bradley
• 5:00–6:00pm – The Dubliners Encore

O’Donoghue’s Tent Sunday, 24 May

• 12:00–1:00pm – Ballad Session with Hank Byrne and Friends
• 2:00–3:00pm – Ballad Session with Hank Byrne and Friends
• 4:00–5:00pm – Ballad Session with Hank Byrne and Friends

The Bailey Sunday, 24 May

• 12:00–1:00pm – Banjo Workshop
• 2:00–3:00pm – The Sun is Burning:
  Songwriter and civil rights activist Tommy Sands joins Dermot Bolger for a discussion on the role of folk music in peacebuilding.
• 4:00–5:00pm – Sabina Higgins in Conversation with Donal Fallon:
  Actress and activist Sabina Higgins joins Donal Fallon to discuss her life in the arts and public service, from the cultural milieu of the 1960s through to the present day.

Arts and Crafts Sunday, 24 May

• 12:00–3:00pm – Strings & Skyline: A Paint by Numbers Adventure:
  A large paint by numbers tableau of 5 Dubliners against the skyline of Dublin town. Suitable for all ages!
• 12:00–1:00pm – Wearable Luke Kelly hair and beard:
  Make a headband of orange hair or a beard. Wearable art! Suitable for all ages!
• 2:00–3:00pm – I’ll Tell Me Ma Comic Book Page:
  Create a comic book page where you can draw and write your own version of the famous song! Suitable for all ages!
• 4:00–5:00pm – Make a Jacob’s Kimberly or Mikado Harmonica!
  Luke Kelly’s Dad worked in Jacob’s Biscuit Factory so get inspired to make your own biscuit-themed harmonica! Younger children may need an adult with them to help!
• 4:00–6:00pm – Strings & Skyline: A Paint by Numbers Adventure:
  A large paint by numbers tableau of 5 Dubliners against the skyline of Dublin town. Suitable for all ages!

The Centre Half Sunday, 24 May

• 12:00–6:00pm – The Football Field
  • Mega Football Penalty Shootout
  • Junior Penalty Shootout
  • Air Jets Football Game Table
• 12:00–6:00pm – The Golf Corner
  • Chip Shot – Golf Game
  • 9-Hole Crazy Golf

Lighthouse Cinema Sunday, 24 May

• 6:30pm – In Time: Donal Lunny

This year, the Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Bursary was launched, and it will play a central role in the festival programme.

Each recipient has been awarded a €1,000 bursary, alongside mentorship and a performance platform at the festival, placing emerging talent at the centre of Dublin’s flagship celebration of Luke Kelly’s life and legacy.

The Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival is FREE to attend and welcomes Dubliners and visitors alike to celebrate one of the city’s most iconic cultural figures in Smithfield Square on 23 and 24 May.