Aiteall Music Festival
Bantry, Co. Cork
Fri 23 Oct 2026 - Sun 25 Oct 2026 (note: this event has already taken place)
This October, Bantry will become a meeting place for some of Ireland's most compelling songwriters as West Cork Music presents Aiteall, a new 3-day festival celebrating original music across a spectrum of genres.
Running from 23 to 25 October, Aiteall will feature 8 concerts, free pop-up performances, workshops and discussions, with events taking place across Bantry at St Brendan's Church, Marino Church, Ma Murphy's, Forest & Flock and other venues throughout the town.
Bringing together established artists, rising voices and local musicians, the programme spans contemporary folk, traditional song, alternative music and genre-blurring new work, offering audiences a chance to discover artists at every stage of their careers in intimate and distinctive settings.
Aiteall organiser Meg O'Connell says:
"Aiteall is the Irish word for a sunny break in weather between rain showers and also represents moments of joy in dark times. We hope the beautiful moments of live music we bring to Bantry as we settle into our wintery months reflect the sentiment of "aiteall"."
The opening night begins with acclaimed singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, whose work is rooted in the Connemara
sean-nós tradition while drawing from a wide range of vocal and instrumental influences. Later that evening, John Francis Flynn, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Irish folk music, brings his acclaimed solo repertoire to St Brendan's Church.
Saturday's programme moves between performance and participation, with a Lilting Workshop led by Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin exploring one of Ireland's oldest vocal traditions. The day also features a rare West Cork appearance by The Vernon Spring, the project of pianist and composer Sam Beste, whose work moves between jazz, ambient music and songwriting. Beste is widely known for his years as pianist with Amy Winehouse and for collaborations spanning contemporary music, jazz and hip-hop.
The evening programme showcases a diverse range of voices. Amano, whose work draws together sean-nós singing, contemporary folk and electronic influences, performs as part of her debut national tour. Later, acclaimed duo Lemoncello bring songs from their forthcoming album Perfect Place, while AE Mak and d_abdu close the night at Ma Murphy's with a double-bill that reflects the adventurous spirit at the heart of the festival.
Sunday opens with an immersive Irish song workshop led by Amano before attention turns to the realities of building a career in music with a panel discussion featuring RTÉ 2fm's Beta Da Silva, musicians and industry guests. The conversation will explore the opportunities and challenges facing emerging artists in Ireland today.
The final day of performances begins with Leevy, whose powerful blend of folklore, folk traditions and alternative influences has earned them a devoted following across Ireland. They will present a specially adapted concert for the setting of St Brendan's Church.
Award-winning songwriter Sorcha Richardson follows with music from her acclaimed new album Draw the Outline, bringing her sharply observed songwriting and atmospheric sound to Bantry before the festival concludes at Ma Murphy's with a closing double-headline performance from Isaac Jones and Ropeburn.
Alongside the ticketed programme, audiences can expect free pop-up performances throughout the weekend, creating opportunities to encounter music across the town and discover new artists in unexpected places. There will also be a record fair in Ma Murphy's on Friday and Saturday as well as art with music workshops in Corecreative.
With its blend of intimate concerts, traditional song, contemporary songwriting and emerging talent, Aiteall promises a weekend of music that is rooted in place while open to new ideas and influences.
Day passes and individual gig tickets available. To find out more, visit: https://www.westcorkmusic.ie/aiteall/
