- Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival returns for 31st edition from 27-30 August
- Four-day format with dozens of free live performances across village venues
- Aggie Hayes’ Pub in Killea joins as festival venue for first time
- Line-up includes international and Irish acts across bluegrass and Americana
- Free campervan parking available behind Aggie Hayes with advance booking required
The Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival makes its official return to the coastal village of Dunmore East, County Waterford, for its 31st annual edition, running from Thursday 27 August to Sunday 30 August 2026. The event scales back up to its classic four-day format, offering dozens of free live performances across the weekend. All gigs taking place throughout the festival are entirely free to attend, maintaining the tradition of accessible community music.
The 2026 festival introduces Aggie Hayes’ Pub in Killea as a festival venue for the first time, joining the long-standing local hubs: The Strand Inn, The Spinnaker Bar and Powers Bar. The schedule features prominent local, national and international talent spanning bluegrass, country roots, Americana and rockabilly. Notable acts include Sweden’s New Valley String Band, alongside I Draw Slow, Prison Love, Mons Wheeler, Dublin Country Club, The Backyard Band, Lorraine Nash and local favourites Stony Point.
The festival kicks off Thursday at 6:00 PM at Aggie Hayes with the Blue Stack Mountain Boys, followed by a village-wide pub trail with live music across all four venues. Music begins from 5:00 PM on Friday, 3:00 PM on Saturday and 2:00 PM on Sunday. Organisers expect a busy weekend and strongly recommend using public transport or designated parking zones around the village. Free campervan parking is provided directly behind Aggie Hayes, but visitors must book their spaces in advance due to strict capacity limits.
