- Cuisle Cheoil Weekend is taking place in Gorey from 20-23 August 2026
- The festival features recitals, sessions, workshops, set dancing, and a céilí
- Gorey has a long connection with traditional music and has hosted Fleadh Cheoil
- Musicians are attending from across Ireland and the United Kingdom
- The event supports local hospitality businesses and promotes Wexford’s cultural heritage
Gorey is celebrating traditional music this weekend with the Cuisle Cheoil Weekend running from Thursday 20 August to Sunday 23 August 2026, marking a significant cultural event for the County Wexford town. The four-day festival features live recitals, traditional music and singing sessions, workshops, set dancing, a céilí, lectures, and presentations highlighting Gorey’s long connection with traditional music. The town has previously hosted Fleadh Cheoil events, and the festival showcases both established performers and emerging talent in the traditional music scene.
The festival programme includes afternoon and evening sessions at multiple venues across Gorey town, with musicians travelling from across Ireland and the United Kingdom to participate. Workshops cover various traditional instruments including the fiddle, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, and concertina, with sessions for different skill levels from beginner to advanced. Set dancing classes and a céilí on Saturday evening provide opportunities for participants to engage with traditional dance forms, complementing the music programme.
Local hospitality businesses have reported strong bookings for the weekend, with visitors attending from across Ireland and overseas. The festival forms part of Wexford’s cultural calendar, promoting traditional music and dance to new audiences while celebrating the county’s heritage. Community groups and cultural organisations have collaborated on the event, supported by local authorities and tourism bodies.
Liam O’Connor, a festival committee member, shared: “Gorey has a proud tradition of hosting Fleadh Cheoil events, and the Cuisle Cheoil Weekend continues that legacy by bringing together musicians, dancers, and singers from across the country to celebrate Irish traditional music.”
