The free family event celebrating the life & legacy of Luke Kelly returns to Dublin for its third year this May.

Luke Kelly fans far and wide will be overjoyed to hear that the hugely successful Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival will make its return to Dublin’s Smithfield Square for two jam – packed days celebrating the one and only Luke Kelly through fantastic music and singalong sessions, lively discussion, family-friendly Arts & Crafts, inclusive sports activities and lots more!

Once again, some of Ireland’s most popular performers, and those who knew Luke Kelly best will unite over the course of the weekend to bring guests some very special performances featuring the much-loved music of Luke Kelly & The Dubliners. A stellar lineup will take to the Main Stage for the ‘Luke Kelly Songbook’, featuring Imelda May, Frances Black, Declan O’Rourke & Sean McKenna. You can expect top-notch performances from musician and actor Phelim Drew, and folk artist Aoife Scott while Banjo players Kieran Hanrahan and Gerry O’Connor will lead a tribute to Barney McKenna sure to delight the crowd. Dublin Folk Group Madra Salach will also be on hand with a selection of folk favourites.

Over at The Bailey tent, there’s a full programme planned each day, thoughtfully curated for all those who would love to learn a little more about the legend of Luke Kelly through the medium of discussion and workshops. There’s something for all ages from a Kids Ballad Singalong to a Banjo Workshop for beginners (no experience necessary!). Historian and Podcaster Donal Fallon (Three Castles Burning) will be leading events on various topics, including an interview with journalist Ronan Burtenshaw and folk singer Sandra Kerr on Luke’s musical mentor Ewan MacColl. Meanwhile, award-winning novelist Dermot Bolger will host Dublin playwright Jimmy Murphy and a cast of Neili Conroy, Sarah Morris and Meave Fitzgerald for a special reading of Brendan Behan's lost play The Rent Woman.

Back by popular demand, the O’Donoghue’s Tent will once again play host to the lively Luke Kelly Sing-Song over both days, providing the perfect opportunity to get involved and sing along with a host of talented singers and musicians to some Luke Kelly favourites from over the years.

Family-Friendly Arts & Crafts are sure to be a huge hit again for this year with interactive activities designed to reflect Luke’s creative spirit. From a collaborative banjo workshop to Luke Kelly mask making, newspaper colouring and a workshop creating musical instruments from everyday items – there’s sure to be something that suits all ages and interests. Or if you share Luke’s passion for the beautiful game, why not get involved with some of the football focused activities happening at The Centre-Half. The sporting element of this year’s festival will see participation from a number of the cities Football for All groups.

On Sunday 25^th May, the Football for All Festival as part of the Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival will take place on the all-weather pitch beside the Smithfield Fruit Market between 11am and 1pm. The FAI’s Football for All programme is made up of players from all groups and sporting bodies that cater for people with a disability who want to play football. In conjunction with the DDSL’s Football for All programme, we are delighted with this new addition to the festival. The participants will include Sheriff YC who are from the area where Luke was born.

Brand new for 2025 and not to be missed are the Luke Kelly Festival Crazy Golf shining a light for Luke’s love of golf plus the Luke Kelly Legacy Stories where fans, friends and family of Luke Kelly are invited to tell their very own memories of Luke via a specially commissioned and adapted, retro phonebox!

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