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- Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, Kilkenny City (29 May – 1 June, with events into early June): One of Ireland’s premier comedy festivals featuring top Irish and international stand-up comedians, performances, and lively entertainment across various venues in the medieval city.
- Kilkenny Country Music Festival, Gowran Park Racecourse (12 July): A popular one-day country music event with headline acts including Derek Ryan and other leading artists, live performances, and a vibrant atmosphere at the racecourse.
- Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kilkenny City (6–16 August): A prestigious ten-day multi-disciplinary arts festival with theatre, contemporary dance, classical and contemporary music, literature, visual arts, street performances, and unique collaborations in historic venues across the city.
- Iverk Show, Piltown (August, traditionally late in the month): Ireland’s oldest agricultural show featuring livestock competitions, trade stands, local produce, family entertainment, and rural heritage displays.
- Other recurring or smaller events include music series at Kilkenny Castle Rose Garden (July and August), National Heritage Week activities (mid-August) with tours and talks, local markets, community gatherings, and the Alternative Kilkenny Arts Festival (fringe events). Dates can vary slightly; check official sources such as Visit Kilkenny, Kilkenny Arts Festival website, or Kilkenny County Council for the latest programmes, tickets, and updates.
Annual & recurring festivals
County Kilkenny is widely regarded as the medieval and craft capital of Ireland, hosting world-class festivals focused on comedy, music, and heritage.
- Kilkenny Animated (February): A festival celebrating the art of animation, featuring exhibitions, workshops, and screenings from world-renowned studios like Cartoon Saloon.
- Kilkenomics (March/November): A unique festival that brings together world-leading economists and famous comedians to discuss global affairs in a lighthearted, accessible way.
- St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny (March): A multi-day celebration featuring a large carnival parade through the medieval city, street performances, and traditional music.
- Tradfest Kilkenny (March): Held over the St. Patrick’s weekend, this festival showcases the best of Irish traditional music with sessions in the city’s historic pubs and venues.
- Kilkenny Roots Festival (May): A premier Americana and roots music festival featuring international acts performing in venues across the city over the bank holiday weekend.
- Cat Laughs Comedy Festival (June): One of Ireland’s most famous comedy festivals, attracting top-tier international and Irish stand-up comedians to Kilkenny City.
- Kilkenny Arts Festival (August): A prestigious ten-day event featuring classical music, theatre, contemporary dance, and visual arts in historic spaces like St. Canice’s Cathedral.
- National Heritage Week (August): A series of events across the county celebrating Kilkenny’s medieval history, including guided tours of castles, abbeys, and ancient walls.
- Iverk Show (August): Ireland’s oldest agricultural show, held in Piltown, featuring livestock competitions, local food, and family entertainment.
- Scoil na gCláirseach – Festival of Early Irish Harp (August): An international festival dedicated to the historical wire-strung harp, featuring workshops and concerts in the city.
- Savour Kilkenny Food Festival (October): A massive bank holiday celebration of local gastronomy featuring a giant food market, celebrity chef demos, and dining events.
- Subtitle European Film Festival (November): A unique film festival focusing on popular European cinema, bringing international actors and directors to Kilkenny for screenings and awards.
- Yulefest Kilkenny (December): A month-long Christmas festival featuring festive markets, light installations, an ice rink, and seasonal workshops across the city and county.
Festivals
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Kilkenny:
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