Night and Day Festival 2026
Sunshine, Starry Skies, and West's Awake: Night & Day 2026
There is something inherently magical about Lough Key Forest Park. Nestled in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, its 19th-century parklands, sweeping native woodlands, and historic islands make it one of Ireland's most spectacular natural backdrops. Over the May bank holiday weekend of 2026, the park’s serene atmosphere transformed into an absolute powerhouse of pure Irish rock and roll energy.
Now in its continuous rise as the northwest's premier boutique festival, Night & Day 2026 delivered its most legendary edition yet—anchored by two eras of Irish musical royalty: the unstoppable folk-rockers The Saw Doctors and the enduring punk defiance of Bob Geldof and The Boomtown Rats.
The Saw Doctors Bring the West Alive
On Saturday night, an energized crowd of festival-goers packed the main arena for a long-overdue homecoming. As guitarist Leo Moran joked to the crowd, the last time the band had played in Roscommon was down the road at the old venues in Castlerea.
From the second Davy Carton struck the opening chords, it was clear that time had done nothing to diminish their live energy. The crowd became a massive, unified choir. Songs like N17 and I Useta Lover bounced off the towering canopy of Lough Key's ancient oak trees. The Saw Doctors have always specialized in capturing the specific, beautiful melancholy of rural Irish life, and singing those tracks under a starry Roscommon sky felt entirely right.
Bob Geldof’s Boomtown Blast
If Saturday night was a joyous singalong, Sunday night shifted into a gear of raw, historic energy. Moving past five decades since the foundation of The Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof marched onto the stage with the same snarl and magnetic presence that shook up the late '70s punk scene.
Geldof and the Rats tore through a fierce, tight set of classic hits, including Rat Trap and I Don't Like Mondays. Geldof's connection with the crowd was immediate—witty, sharp, and deeply glad to be playing on the banks of Lough Key. Surrounded by a stellar Sunday bill that included Imelda May, Paddy Casey, and the Hothouse Flowers, Geldof proved that his timeless catalog still hits as hard today as it did decades ago.
Rooted in Local Lore: The Úna Bhán Stage & The Carolan Collective
What truly separates Night & Day from standard, cookie-cutter music festivals is how deeply it weaves itself into the rich cultural folklore of its Roscommon home. This year, that local pride took center stage through two standout features:
- The Úna Bhán Stage: Named after the legendary, tragic love story of Úna Bhán—who is buried just a stone's throw away on Lough Key’s Castle Island—this stage served as the beating heart for traditional, folk, and acoustic storytelling. Across the weekend, acts like Seamie O'Dowd, Lemoncello, and local singer-songwriters held audiences spellbound in an intimate, woodland clearing that felt entirely sacred.
- The Carolan Collective: In a magnificent nod to Turlough O'Carolan, the iconic 17th-century blind Celtic harper who spent his final years and was buried in nearby Keadue, the festival debuted the Carolan Collective whom helped run the Una Ban stage.. This brilliant gathering of contemporary traditional musicians, harpers, and avant-garde folk artists fused ancient Irish melodies with modern, atmospheric soundscapes, drawing massive crowds looking for a transcendent musical experience.
The Creatives Roscommon Collective contributed to running the Una Bhan stage and had a great selection of poets, songwriters and groups from the county
"Few things beat the atmosphere of a music festival set among our woods, water, and open spaces—it just feels right here." — Dermot, Lough Key Forest Park Team
Sunrise to Starry Skies
Beyond the headliners and heritage stages, the weekend excelled in its holistic "sunrise to starry skies" ethos.
- The Sol Stage: Set inside the historic 150-foot Moylurg Tower and enhanced by striking visual installations, this stage hosted late-night electronic sets from the likes of Jenny Greene and Daithí.and the Runaway Club to mention just two of the great acts .
- Lakeside Wellness: Revellers started their mornings recovering from the previous night's dancing with waterfront yoga, wood-fired saunas, and cold plunges right into the refreshing waters of Lough Key.
- Family & Discovery: Winding forest trails hid secret corners showcasing emerging indie talent like Cardinals and Soda Blonde, alongside interactive workshops and foraging walks for younger festival-goers.
Blending a community-driven, artist-led atmosphere with the heaviest hitters in Irish music history, Night & Day 2026 didn't just entertain—it cemented itself as an unforgettable milestone in the Irish festival calendar.
