Boyle Arts Festival Returns with Ten Days of Music, Art, 16th July until 26th July
Boyle Arts Festival Returns with Ten Days of Music, Art, Theatre and Family Fun 16th -25th July 2026 https://boylearts.com/
Boyle Arts Festival returns this July with an exciting ten-day programme celebrating
the very best of Irish arts and culture. Running from 16th–25th July, this year's
festival brings together internationally renowned artists alongside emerging talent for
a vibrant programme of music, visual art, theatre, literature, comedy, workshops and
free family events across Boyle.
The festival opens on Thursday, 16th July, with the much-loved Opening Parade,
bringing the streets of Boyle to life with music, movement and spectacle, before the
official Festival Launch by acclaimed singer Mary Coughlan. Mary will also return
later in the festival for a special concert on Friday, 24th July at 8pm in St Joseph's
Hall, where audiences can experience one of Ireland's finest jazz and blues voices in
an intimate live performance.
At the heart of the festival is the Main Exhibition in King House, showcasing work
by 160 painters, sculptors, printmakers and mixed-media artists from across the
island of Ireland. This year's exhibition features internationally recognised artists
including Hughie O'Donoghue RA, Barbara Rae RA, Olivia Musgrave, Donal
Teskey and Guggi, alongside many of Ireland's leading contemporary artists and
exciting emerging voices. Visitors can also enjoy a special screening of Guggi, an
acclaimed documentary exploring the life and work of the celebrated Irish artist, on
Friday, 17th July in King House.
This year the Feely family and Feelystone are proud to partner with the festival to
establish the Barry Feely Sculptor Award, honouring Barry’s life, legacy and
enduring contribution to the arts. The Barry Feely Sculptor Award will celebrate and
support the work of an emerging to mid-career sculptor, working in any medium,
whose work is selected for exhibition in the Main Exhibition.
There will also be the presentation of the 7th Annual Fergus Ahern Award. Fergus
worked tirelessly to place the Boyle Arts Festival on a national platform, earning it a
place as one of Ireland’s most anticipated and prestigious summer celebrations of
the arts.
This year’s Open Submission Exhibition will be displayed in Sweeney’s building
on The Crescent, and this is also where the Festival Office is located for offline
ticket sales and enquiries.
Music lovers are spoiled for choice throughout the festival. Award-winning folk group
Onóir perform on Friday, 17th July, while These Charming Men, Ireland's premier
tribute to The Smiths and Morrissey, play on Saturday, 18th July. Sligo-based,
international folk orchestra, NoCrows take to the stage on Sunday, 19th July, while
Luke Thomas & The Swing Cats bring the festival to a close with their spectacular
blend of swing, big band and rock classics on Saturday, 25th July. The talented
bunch from Music Generation perform a special pre-festival concert on
Wednesday, 15th July showcasing a rich selection of music with the theme of
‘Colours’ and throughout Saturday, 18th July, Boyle will come alive with a Festival
Music Trail, featuring live performances in venues across the town from 11am until
midnight.
Comedy fans can look forward to an unforgettable evening with Ireland's King of
Comedy, Jason Byrne, whose trademark improvisation, storytelling and audience
interaction promise a night of laughter on Thursday, 23rd July.
The festival's classical music programme includes acclaimed soprano Lorna Breen
performing on Friday, 17th July, while soprano Helen Hancock presents a
programme of operatic and classical favourites on Saturday, 25th July. Boyle's own
young pianist Lenny Chen joins the full 20-piece, Sligo Baroque Orchestra on
Tuesday, 21st July for a truly special concert featuring Beethoven's Piano Concerto
No. 1 and Haydn's Symphony No. 6, amongst others.
Literary audiences will enjoy appearances by some of Ireland's most respected
writers and broadcasters. Michael Harding reflects on faith, creativity and his latest
memoir Midwinter on Saturday, 18th July, while celebrated broadcaster John
Creedon joins Carole Coleman in conversation on Sunday, 19th July for what
promises to be a fascinating discussion on storytelling, music and Irish culture.
In drama, Will Govan plays an exiled Oscar Wilde looking back on his colourful life
and reflecting on fame, family and misfortune in ‘Work is the Curse of the Drinking
Classes’. While ‘I Had To Go For Counselling’ by Gerry Farrell tells the moving
and entertaining tale of a man who discovers that retirement is not quite what he
expected.
The programme also includes a range of innovative and immersive experiences.
Audiences can step inside The Irish National Opera's award-winning virtual reality
experience Out of the Ordinary on Saturday, 18th, while Distillation, presented on
Thursday, 23rd July, offers a unique multi-sensory performance exploring Ireland's
bog landscapes through scent, sound and storytelling.
Families are especially well catered for this year, with creative workshops, children's
activities and free events taking place throughout the festival. Highlights include a
Beatles Picnic, a family friendly evening event of live music featuring the songs of
John, Paul, George and Ringo with a picnic atmosphere, food trucks and
refreshments. FamilyFest@ the market in King House on July 25th will allow
everyone to explore an immersive sound-and-yoga tent, get creative with arts and
crafts, and add some sparkle with glitter tattoos. Check online to see the variety of
art workshops, robotics sessions and interactive experiences designed to inspire
visitors of all ages.
With many free events alongside an outstanding ticketed programme, Boyle Arts
Festival continues to offer something for everyone, welcoming audiences to
experience one of Ireland's longest-running and most celebrated summer arts
festivals.
The full programme is available now online and in shops around town, with tickets on
sale through the Festival Office at Sweeney’s building on The Crescent and
online at boylearts.com.
Our sincere gratitude & appreciation to our main venue providers this year,
Roscommon County Council for the use of King House, and Michael Sweeney of
Sweeney Funeral Directors for the kind use of his premises for the Open Exhibition &
the festival office. Sharon Tighe
Photos by David Knight . www.davidknightphotographer.com
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