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Irish Independent
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
August bank holiday in Wexford: From Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann to the Breakwater festival the weekend is sure to hit the right notes
There are plenty of events to keep you entertained in County Wexford over the August Bank Holiday weekend. As well as the start of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 on Sunday, August 3, the Breakwater Festival is taking place, plus there are Fringe Fleadh events and plenty of gigs and concerts to whet every appetite. Amble – Live at The Breakwater Amble will play Live at The Breakwater, Ferrybank South, Wexford on Thursday, July 31 at 7pm. Amble are Robbie Cunningham, Oisín McCaffrey and Ross McNerney, a three-piece folk group from Ireland. Since coming together in late 2022, the band have built an audience through word-of-mouth, live performance and a focus on honest, reflective song-writing. With a sold-out touring schedule and a growing catalogue of original material, Amble's music balances storytelling and melody, creating space for audiences to slow down and listen. Tickets are €49. For more details, see Lantern Events at The Full Monty Gorey Little Theatre presents The Full Monty on Thursday, July 31 at 8pm. Tickets are €15. The show is directed by and starring Stephen Acton and choreographed by Roisín Currid. My Favourite Things On Friday, August 1 at 8pm, Jazz at Johnstown is contributing to the return of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Wexford with My Favourite Things, a jazz/trad concert with renowned piper Mark Redmond and the Chris Colloton Trio at the Visitors Centre. With an upbringing in traditional music, Redmond is noted as a musician who can fuse between various genres. Guitarist Chris Colloton is one of the most brilliant innovators in Irish jazz. Also joining Mark and Chris are Lorcan and Cillian Byrne. Tickets are €25. The Waterboys – Live at The Breakwater One of the best live bands in the world, The Waterboys will play Live at the Breakwater Festival on Friday, August 1 at 7pm. The Waterboys have been led by Scottish singer and guitarist Mike Scott since the 1980s and have evolved through countless line-ups, winning a fearsome concert reputation along the way. Their best-known songs include The Whole Of The Moon, How Long Will I Love You, This Is The Sea and Fisherman's Blues. Tickets for the show cost €55. Writing Yourself Home A 60-minute group session of breath, words, and soul will take place at Gorey Town Park on Saturday, August 2 at 3pm. Tickets are €15. You can expect grounding breathwork, readings of poetry and meaningful texts to spark the soul, guided writing prompts and optional sharing in a safe, held circle. For more details email maria@ The Highstool Prophets One day before official Fleadh starts we've got the biggest and best opener in our car park under the stretch tent! The Highstool Prophets are coming back to Wexford for Crown Fleadh Village 2025. They will be accompanied by special guests Fieldsy and The Gallivanters. The show will take place on Saturday, August 2 at 7pm. Fringe Fleadh 25 – The Beartla Ó Flatharta Band The final event in the Fringe Fleadh 2025 series, proudly hosted by Wexford County Council, takes place in Our Lady's Island on Saturday, August 2, promising a memorable evening of traditional Irish music to round off the programme in style. Starting at 7.30pm, the evening will feature the All-Ireland Céilí Band Champions, The Beartla Ó Flatharta Band, joined by a fantastic line-up of local performers and groups. Summer Sessions '25 - The Havana Club Trio Head to Library Park in New Ross on Saturday, August 2 at 7pm for an evening of free music provided by the Havana Club Trio. They will play incredible Latin music direct from Havana with an extensive repertoire of Cuban favourites and Latin-induced rhythmic songs. Summer Sessions in the Library Park is funded by Wexford County Council. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 will be held in Wexford from Sunday, August 3 to Sunday, August 10. This annual festival celebrates Irish music and culture and features numerous competitions and performances. The festival has been running for over 60 years and is one of the most popular music festivals in Ireland. Glenside Céilí Band The Glenside Céilí Band will perform at Clonard Community Centre on Sunday, August 3 at 9pm as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Tickets cost €15. Scoil Éigse 2025 The 51st Annual Scoil Éigse organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann takes place in Wexford town from Sunday, August 3 to Sunday, August 10, during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025. At Scoil Éigse, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann's annual international summer school, students of all ages register for the various instrumental music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes. Details on Scoil Éigse classes at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 can be found on the Scoil Éigse website. Cry Before Dawn Cry Before Dawn, the acclaimed Wexford band known for their powerful fusion of rock and traditional Irish sounds, return with Open Water—their first new music in over a decade. Following sell-out shows and festival appearances across Ireland, they're kicking off the EP celebrations with a hometown gig at The Crown, Wexford on Monday, August 4 at 7pm. Tickets for the gig cost €9. Kiddies Crazy Nights at Upton Court Hotel Summer in Wexford means one thing – Kiddies Crazy Nights at Upton Court Hotel in Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford. Non-stop fun, games, and laughter for the little ones — and a great night out for all the family. This night takes place on Monday, August 4 at 7pm. Go dtí Seo – Emer O'Flaherty (CD Launch) Emer is a singer/songwriter and bilingual musician from Ennis in Clare, playing music all her life, but had not made a recording until now. The ten tracks on the album reflect Emer's musical exploration up to now, hence the title, from her roots in sean-nós ('Cúirt Bhaile Nua' agus 'Amhrán na Leabhar ') with all other album tracks, songs and music written by her. A love of nature and place are to be heard throughout her music. She will launch he CD at Wexford Library on Tuesday, August 5 at 4pm. This is a bilingual event suitable for all the family and learners of all ages. The Missing Guest – Mick Mulvey & Shane Meehan (CD Launch) Released in May 2025, this album The Missing Guest features the wonderful playing by musicians Shane Meehan (Fiddle) and Mick Mulvey (Flutes) who are described as masters of their instruments. Counted among south Leitrim's best musicians, they have honed their skills playing together in Cryan's Teach Cheoil over the years. The album evidences their shared love of beautifully intricate traditional music, as well as their sense of comfort and mutual respect as a duet. This is a free event. However, places are limited so please register in advance to secure your place. Fíor Céilí – Tara Céilí Band The Tara Céilí Band will perform at Clonard Community Centre on Tuesday, August 5 at 9pm. Tickets cost €15. Bardic Awards The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 Bardic Awards / Ceannródaithe Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, August 5 at 7pm at the Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford. This annual ceremony honours exceptional musicians and singers who are considered to have made an exceptional and unique contribution to Irish Traditional Music through their instrumental musicianship, singing and/or dancing. This gala dinner with presentations incorporates performances by each of the recipients all nationally and internationally renowned for their virtuoso talent, mastery and their consistent commitment to the music over decades. The 2025 recipients are as follows: John Furlong, Josephine Nugent, Padraig McGovern, Benny McHugh. Danceperados of Ireland After 11 years touring all over Europe and delighting audiences, Danceperados of Ireland comes to the National Opera House in Wexford on Tuesday, August 5 for a special once-off performance at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Choreographed by Ennis man and two-time World Champion Michael Donnellan, the show features some of the best dancers and musicians in Ireland. The show's 'Hall of Fame' listing former and current cast members is a veritable who's who of Irish traditional music and dance, featuring members of Beoga, Solas, Altan and Cairde to name but a few. The show will take place at 7.30pm and costs €33/€30 plus facility fee to attend. See to book tickets. An evening with violinist Martin Hayes The parish of Wexford is delighted to welcome back the internationally acclaimed violinist Martin Hayes to perform a concert here in the majestic setting of Rowe St Church. Martin played at the Fleadh Cheoil in 2024 to a sell-out concert and by popular demand, we welcome him back this year. His music is soulful, haunting and majestically beautiful. It raises the human spirit to another level, connecting us with the source of beauty who is God. The concert will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, August 5 at Rowe St Church. Tickets are €40 plus €1.50 fee. Tickets can be booked via Wexford Arts Centre. Pierce Turner - 'Ó Riada' Pierce Turner will be on piano and vocals, with Aongus MacAmhlaigh on cello and vocals and including local chorus at this concert at Wexford Arts Centre on Tuesday, August 5 at 8pm as part of Fleadh Cheoil 2025. Pierce has always been influenced by Turlough O'Carolan, the harpist from Sligo. They say that he married Irish traditional music to Italian romanticism. The Chieftains could've been his band. But they were Seán Ó Riada's band instead. This will be a unique and sacred evening of music to behold in the intimate Wexford Arts Centre. Tickets cost €30 plus €1.50 fee. In the Moment: Capturing the Fleadh 2024 (Exhibition) Wexford Arts Centre and Wexford Camera Club are proud to present In the Moment: Capturing the Fleadh 2024, a compelling group photography exhibition that celebrates the vibrant energy and cultural richness of last year's Fleadh Cheoil. This exhibition showcases the spirit of the festival through the lens of twelve talented photographers, all members of the Wexford Camera Club. The photographers include Darren Arkins, Bart Bulla, Kevin Cadogan, Miriam Furlong, Aoife Kavanagh, Donna Kehoe, Lucy Leonel, Alan Mahon, Ann McCafferty, Ian Moriarty, John Mullins, and Marie Phelan. The exhibition will launch at a public opening reception at Wexford Arts Centre on Saturday, August 2 at 12pm. All are welcome to attend, and the exhibition is open to the public from 10am to 5pm daily until Wednesday, August 13. O'Riada Mass As part of Fleadh Cheoil, the O'Riada Mass sung by Rowe St Choir under director Donagh Wilde, accompanied by piper Mark Redmond, will take place at Rowe St Church on Sunday, August 3 at 12pm. Library talk about the revival activism of Min Ryan and her sisters Dr Aoife Whelan will give a talk at Wexford Library on the topic 'Attracted to the national movement: the revival activism of Min Ryan and her sisters'. This talk will take place on Tuesday, August 5 from 11am to 12pm and is free to attend. In this talk, Dr Aoife Whelan will give an overview of the political activism of Mary Josephine 'Min' Ryan (later Mulcahy) and her sisters from Tomcoole, County Wexford. Best known nowadays for the public park that bears her name, Min was a founding member of Cumann na mBan in 1914 and participated in the 1916 Easter Rising at the GPO in Dublin along with her sister Phyllis and her brother Jim. She was later selected to travel to America on behalf of the Republican leadership to report to John Devoy, leader of Clan na Gael, on the events of Easter Week. Having been involved with Proclamation signatory Seán Mac Diarmada before he was executed for his role in the Rising, Min went on to marry Richard Mulcahy, IRA chief-of-staff and Dáil Éireann's first Minister of Defence. This lecture will trace the involvement of Min and her sisters in public and political life during the early twentieth century at a time when young, educated women found new opportunities to engage in political and social activism under the auspices of the nationalist movement. The Wexford Invaders: an illustrated history with Derek O'Brien This talk will take place at Wexford Library on Tuesday, August 5 at 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Join Derek to explore the history of County Wexford from the Vikings to the Normans in this fact-packed history event for all the family. Suitable ages 9+. This is a free event. However, places are limited so please register in advance to secure your place.
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Organisers of Wexford Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann announce major change for this year's event
With the Fleadh set to depart for Belfast in 2026, the Wexford Fleadh Committee is keen to leave the best impression possible that will live long in the memories of those in attendance – hopefully a record-breaking 700,000 people this year. In the wake of last year's success, Chair of the Fleadh Executive Committee Eddie Taaffe vowed to carry out a thorough debrief and tweak anything that required it ahead of August 2025. One significant piece of feedback emerging from last year was around The Dome setup in Clonard Church car park, which hosted the Fleadh's showpiece event – the Senior All-Ireland Céilí Band Competition. Many Fleadh-goers felt that Clonard was just too far out from the main hub of activity, while others raised issues around the sound in the huge, purpose built temporary structure. At this week's meeting of the Wexford Borough District, Mr Taaffe confirmed that the committee would be addressing those concerns this year. "We won't be using the large marquee in Clonard this year,' he said. 'We've decided instead to relocate the Senior Céilí band competition to the tent which will host the Breakwater Festival at the far side of the bridge. "It will offer an increased capacity and it makes sense that we can use the venue of the Sunday. We're currently in discussions with the operator there as to how everything will work.' Sinn Féin councillor Tom Forde was curious as to the structure of the deal with Lantern Events, the company behind The Breakwater Festival. "Are we getting the use of the Breakwater marquee free of charge, or has a deal been struck?' he asked. "There are certain requirements,' Mr Taaffe replied. 'The Céilí band competition needs to be fully seated and there are also audio-visual requirements as it has to be streamed online. There will be additional costs arising from this. Seating costs will be significant. It's still more cost effective than another venue though. We'll be looking to share those costs with the operator.' Independent councillor Leonard Kelly followed up by asking if Lantern Events pay to use the council-owned land at the far side of the bridge for The Breakwater Festival. "We charge a nominal fee only," Mr Taaffe replied. 'We're keen to get business into the town. We don't charge for activities on the quay either. Events like this are a huge economic driver into the town and when we don't incur any costs, I don't see why we would charge the operators. "There is a small charge on the quay for vendors during the Fleadh, for example, because we provide them with power etc.' As well as the relocation of the Senior Céilí Band Competition, Mr Taaffe also revealed that there will be a new stage set up to the rear of St Iberius Church at Church Lane Car Park, which will see acts performing most likely from Thursday to Sunday. "There was a huge demand for slots to perform on the main gig rig stage,' he said. 'We wanted to create a bit more opportunity for local groups and smaller acts to perform. "We have roughly 110 slots for performers on the main gig rig on the quay. We had over 400 applications, so there were lots of people disappointed. Hopefully, we'll be able to give a lot of acts another shot at it by performing on this additional stage.' Mr Taaffe also confirmed changes to parking arrangements this year. Last year, the old Timber Provider's yard at Redmond Road had been set aside for parking for those working in town for the duration of the Fleadh. This year, he revealed that this site will be set aside entirely for accessible parking. For workers, park n' ride facilities will be available from car parks at the outskirts of town from 7.30 a.m. and passes will be available for purchase by employers in the coming weeks.
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Jools Holland confirms Wexford return as venue and ticket release date revealed
Those lucky enough to have got tickets to the Spiegeltent show in 2019 were blown away by the high energy performance of the 19 piece orchestra with guest vocals from Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall. Finally, given the success of that show, Lantern Events are delighted that the piano maestro will make a very welcome return to the National Opera House for a special show on June 7, 2026. Again on the night he will be accompanied by the uber talented Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with guest vocals from Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka. He will also be joined by soulful British singer/songwriter Andrew Roachford who rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like 'Cuddly Toy' and led the band Roachford. A solo artist and a member of Mike and the Mechanics since 2010, he was awarded an MBE in 2019 for services to music. As for Jools and the gang, people will know what to expect. It will be fun-filled and high energy as they rip through a set of blues and boogie woogie classics which they have finely tuned over countless years and massive shows all over the world. Tickets for the show are set to be released this Friday, June 13, at 10 a.m. via and and will be priced at €67.50 + facility fee.
