Here are the upcoming festivals and events in County Leitrim from 20 March to 1 May 2026, featuring a mix of traditional music, outdoor adventures, arts, dance, and community gatherings across venues like Carrigallen, Manorhamilton, Carrick-on-Shannon, Ballinamore, and Glenade. This spring period highlights the county’s cultural vibrancy and natural beauty.
Major Festivals and Events
- Solas Art Gallery Spring Exhibition (opening 20 March): The 19th annual spring group exhibition launches in Ballinamore, showcasing works by local and emerging artists in a seasonal display of creativity.
- Kevin Burke at The Glens Centre (21 March): An evening performance by the renowned traditional Irish fiddler at The Glens Centre in Manorhamilton, featuring masterful tunes and stories from a legend of Irish music.
- North Leitrim Glens Hill Walking Festival (4-5 April, Easter weekend): A two-day guided hill walking event based at Aghanlish Community Centre in Glenade, with routes through the stunning glens and mountains suited to various fitness levels, offering views, history, and camaraderie.
- Leitrim Dance Festival (around 10-12 April, key dates): Performances and workshops including Dance Dialects at The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon (10 April), plus additional dancing sessions (11 April) and a special closing event like Kitty’s Gone a Milkin’ (12 April) at a secret location near Carrick-on-Shannon, celebrating movement and collaboration.
- Leitrim County Fleadh 2026 (17-19 April): Hosted in Carrigallen by Ceol Álainn CCÉ, this county fleadh cheoil celebrates traditional Irish music, song, dance, and culture with competitions, pub sessions, street entertainment, and lively community vibes.
- Arts + Health: Check Up Check In (30 April): A national event at The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon, uniting artists, healthcare professionals, and communities for workshops, talks, and networking on arts in health and wellbeing.
Other Notable Events
- Easter Craft Fair 2026 (29 March): A handmade goods showcase with crafts, bakes, and local treats at The Island Theatre in Ballinamore, perfect for seasonal shopping.
- Faulty Towers – The Dining Experience (around mid-April, e.g., 12 April timeframe noted in similar listings): Interactive improvised theatre inspired by Fawlty Towers, with a three-course meal at The Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon.
- Leitrim School of Art Workshops (various dates in period): Creative classes such as stained glass, vegan cookery, kids’ Easter art camps, and willow weaving.
Annual & recurring festivals
County Leitrim is famous for its creative community and its connection to the Shannon-Erne Waterway, hosting several intimate and long-standing arts and music festivals.
- Leitrim Drama Festival (March): A competitive amateur drama festival held at the Corn Mill Theatre in Carrigallen, featuring top theatrical groups from across the country.
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March): Traditional community celebrations held across the county, with the largest parades occurring in Carrick-on-Shannon and Manorhamilton.
- Carrick Water Music Festival (July): A premier summer event in Carrick-on-Shannon featuring a diverse mix of classical, jazz, and folk music performed at riverside venues.
- Ballinamore Free Fringe Festival (July): An independent, community-led arts festival in Ballinamore featuring underground music, theatre, and workshops.
- Joe Mooney Summer School (July): A world-renowned week of traditional Irish music, song, and dance held in Drumshanbo, attracting students and performers from around the globe.
- Ballinamore Family Festival (August): A long-running week of family-friendly entertainment, including street performances, live music, and children’s activities.
- Agricultural Shows (August): Traditional rural fairs held in towns like Mohill and Manorhamilton, showcasing livestock, local crafts, and home produce.
- Leitrim Glens Sportive (August): A major cycling event starting in Manorhamilton that takes riders through the scenic glens and valleys of North Leitrim.
- Iron Mountain Festival (September/October): A unique literary and music festival in Drumshanbo celebrating the creative links between the land, the people, and local heritage.
- Sligo-Leitrim World Music Festival (October): A collaborative event featuring international world music acts and workshops, often sharing venues across the county border.
- Carrick-on-Shannon Winter Fair (November): One of Ireland’s leading livestock sales and agricultural events, bringing farmers and traders to the town for over a century.
- Carrick-on-Shannon Christmas Market (December): A festive weekend featuring local artisan stalls, live carols, and the official switching on of the town’s Christmas lights.
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