Following the success of last year's inaugural event, ‘The Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival' returns to Smithfield Square on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of May 2024.

Running from 12pm to 6pm, this free family-friendly festival offers a wide array of music, discussion, singalong-sessions, sport, arts and crafts and more in celebration of Dublin’s favourite son.

Throughout the weekend, the Luke Kelly Stage, ably hosted by Luke’s niece Paula McCann, will play host to some of our best-loved musical acts in Mary Black, Lisa O’Neill, Phelim Drew and The Dublin Legends. Across the programme, Luke’s native North Inner City will be represented by singer-songwriter Ciarán Moran from Smithfield and R&B artist Temi NLA from Sheriff Street. And to complete the bill, local folk artists Daoirí Farrell and Caoimhe Hogarty and a trio of George Murphy, Ger O’Donnell and Trevor Sexton will bring a selection of folk favourites for all to enjoy.

For those looking to learn more about Luke, the Dubliners, and the Dublin folk scene, the dedicated workshop and discussion tent The Bailey will play host to conversations with Irish folk legend Andy Irvine (Planxty/Sweeney’s Men). Also on the bill is a ‘Banjo for Beginners’ workshop (no experience necessary!). Historian and Podcaster Donal Fallon (Three Castles Burning) will chat to Phelim Drew and Brian Hand on their memories of The Dubliners, and writer Jimmy Murphy will take festival goers on a journey through Dublin’s bohemian arts scene in the mid-20th century.

For those attending with children, feel free to join the fun at the dedicated football area, ‘The Centre-Half', paying tribute to Luke’s love of the beautiful game. Over at the Arts and Crafts Tent, families can enjoy an array of workshops in memory of Luke’s creative spirit.

Finally, a new edition to this year’s festivities is the O’Donoghue’s Tent where festival goers can join in on a good old-fashioned sing-song.

Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival 2024 – Programme:

Saturday, May 18th

LUKE KELLY STAGE

• 1pm-2pm – The Daoirí Farrell Trio with Caoimhe Hogarty
• 3pm-4pm – Inner City Voices: Ciarán Moran
• 5pm-6pm – Phelim Drew, Lisa O’Neill and Mary Black

THE BAILEY

• 12pm-1pm – The Dubliners Remembered – Phelim Drew and Brian Hand sit down with Donal Fallon (Three Castles Burning) to recall their memories of Dublin’s premier ballad group
• 2pm-3pm – Banjo For Beginners – Try your hand at Luke’s chosen instrument, the 5-string banjo – no experience necessary!
• 4pm-5pm – Andy Irvine in Conversation – Folk legend Andy Irvine (Planxty, Sweeney’s Men) recalls a life of folk music from O’Donoghues to the Royal Albert Hall in Conversation with Dermot Bolger

O’DONOGHUES TENT

• 12pm-1pm – Sing-Along Session w/ Hank Byrne and Friends
• 2pm-3pm – Sing-Along Session w/ Hank Byrne and Friends
• 4pm-5pm – Sing-Along Session w/ Hank Byrne and Friends

ARTS AND CRAFTS AREA

• 12pm-1pm – Make Your Own Maracas – Make your own maracas and accompany the tune of The Rocky Road to Dublin, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! (Suitable for all ages)
• 2pm-3pm – Record Sleeve Workshop – Decorate your own Dubliners record sleeve with recycled materials (Suitable for all ages)
• 4pm-5pm – Banjo Barney Workshop – Emulate the great Banjo Barney from Donnycarney by creating your own upcycled banjo! (Suitable for ages 9+)

THE CENTRE HALF

• 12pm-1pm – Football Skills, Tricks and 1v1 Matches
• 2pm-3pm – Football Skills, Tricks and 1v1 Matches
• 4pm-5pm – Football Skills, Tricks and 1v1 Matches

Sunday, May 19th

LUKE KELLY STAGE

• 1pm-2pm – George Murphy, Ger O’Donnell and Trevor Sexton
• 3pm-4pm – Inner City Voices: Temi NLA
• 5pm-6pm – The Dublin Legends

THE BAILEY

• 12pm-1pm – The Journey to Raglan Road – Donal Fallon (Three Castles Burning) sits down with writer Jimmy Murphy to discuss ‘Baggotonia’ and bohemian Dublin in the mid-20th century
• 2pm-3pm – Banjo For Beginners – Try your hand at Luke’s chosen instrument, the 5-string banjo – no experience necessary!
• 4pm-5pm – B-SIDE BALLADS – Folk singers George Murphy, Ger O'Donnell and Trevor Sexton sit down with Dermot Bolger for a performance and discussion on the lesser-known gems of Luke and the Dubliners

O’DONOGHUES TENT

• 12pm-1pm – Sing-Along Session w/ Hank Byrne and Friends
• 2pm-3pm – Sing-Along Session w/ Hank Byrne and Friends
• 4pm-5pm – Sing-Along Session w/ Hank Byrne and Friends

ARTS AND CRAFTS AREA

• 12pm-1pm – Make Your Own Maracas – Make your own maracas and accompany the tune of The Rocky Road to Dublin, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! Suitable for all ages!
• 2pm-3pm – Record Sleeve Workshop – Decorate your own Dubliners record sleeve with recycled materials. Suitable for all ages!
• 4pm-5pm – Banjo Barney Workshop – Emulate the great Banjo Barney from Donnycarney by creating your own upcycled banjo! Suitable for ages 9+

THE CENTRE HALF

• 12pm-1pm – Football Skills, Tricks and 1v1 Matches
• 2pm-3pm – Football Skills, Tricks and 1v1 Matches
• 4pm-5pm – Football Skills, Tricks and 1v1 Matches