Music of Mayo Festival returns in June
Jillian O'Malley is one of the many talented musicians who will perform at the festival.
Traditional music, song and storytelling will fill the heart of Castlebar this June as the Music of Mayo Festival returns for a vibrant three-day celebration of Mayo’s rich cultural heritage.
The Music of Mayo Festival returns from June 19th to 21st, 2026 for its fourth annual celebration of Mayo’s rich traditional arts culture. Bringing together musicians, singers, storytellers, historians and communities from across the county and beyond, the festival offers a dynamic and immersive weekend of creativity and cultural connection.
Hosted at Bridge St Bar and Venue, Castlebar, the festival has become a landmark event in Mayo’s cultural calendar and the flagship gathering of the Music of Mayo organisation.
Founded by artistic director Emer Mayock, Music of Mayo is dedicated to celebrating the county’s living traditions through performance, archival work, education and community engagement.
The 2026 programme reflects the richness and diversity of Mayo’s traditions, bringing together celebrated performers and traditional artists whose music and stories continue to shape cultural life across the county.
Over the course of three days, audiences can enjoy a rich programme of concerts, workshops, talks, listening events, storytelling and archival showcases, all designed to celebrate the voices, histories and creative spirit that continue to shape Mayo’s musical identity today.
The Music of Mayo Festival 2026 will also mark the launch of the new Music of Mayo website - www.musicofmayo.ie.
The festival would also like to extend sincere thanks to its lead sponsor, Bridge St and gratefully acknowledge the support of Creative Mayo and Mayo County Council.
The festival opens at 6pm with Tunes in the Bar (Ceol sa Tábhairne) at Bridge St, featuring music from Ferdia Ó Mongáin, Marie McHugh and Séamus Ó Mongáin.
The evening continues at 8pm with Fiddle Night (Oíche na bhFidléirí), a major celebration of Mayo’s fiddle players past and present. Traditional music historian Richie Piggott (Chicago/Cork) will present his lecture 'The Fiddle Traditions of Mayo', including a tribute to the late fiddle player Jimmy Murphy of Meelick, Swinford, alongside the launch of a rare archival recording by Jimmy Murphy and James Murray. Hosted by Diarmuid Gielty, the event features performances by Julie Langan, Marie McHugh, John Kilkenny, Caoimhe Kilkenny, Oisín Ó Mongáin, Aiden Lavelle, John McEvilly, David Doocey, Paul Waldron, Róisín McNulty and Bernie Geraghty.
Saturday begins with The Music of Mayo Workshop (Ceardlann Cheoil Mhaigh Eo) at 12 noon, led by festival director Emer Mayock. Open to all ages and instruments, the workshop invites participants to explore the rich Music of Mayo collection and learn tunes from across the county, tracing a musical journey from ancient tunes collected in the 18th century to the contemporary compositions of Mayo musicians today.
At 2pm, audiences are invited to Éist (Listen), a reflective and immersive musical experience led by distinguished traditional artists - flute player Jillian O’Malley, uilleann piper and pipe maker John Butler, accordion player Tom Doherty and John Donegan - a founding member of Castlebar's 1970s traditional group, General Humbert. Through stories, recordings and images, the artists share the traditional music that shaped and inspired their artistic journeys.
Saturday at 7pm - enjoy more Tunes in the Bar, featuring Molly Pittendrigh and Friends.
Saturday at 9pm - Aindrias de Staic presents Echoes of the Mayo Collection (Macallaí as Bailiúchán Mhaigh Eo). In this evocative performance, renowned storyteller and musician, Aindrias de Staic brings the Mayo Collection of Folklore to life through his rhythmic storytelling and soulful fiddle playing, exploring the rich oral heritage of the West of Ireland.
Sunday’s programme opens at 2pm with a very special event, titled John ‘Twin’ McNamara 'The Man and the Legacy'. Music of Mayo welcomes the people of Achill and beyond to gather in reflection, conversation, song and music to honour the life and legacy of the renowned musician, collector and cultural advocate. The event will feature an introduction to John McNamara’s extensive archive, preserved by Music of Mayo and explore how his life’s work continues to inspire. A panel of special guests who knew John personally will contribute to a conversation exploring his unique influence and lasting impact.
At 4pm, Westport singer Elizabeth Healy presents Beyond the Veil: Supernatural Songs of Death, Grief and Resilience as she explores the little-known tradition of Revenant Songs - traditional songs that tell of the dead returning to resolve unfinished earthly matters. She will discuss their cultural significance, their role in traditions of death and mourning and their continuing relevance to themes of grief, loss and transition.
At 6pm, the festival concludes with The Next Generation (An Chéad Ghlúin Eile), hosted by young traditional artist Peter Fox, showcasing emerging young traditional artists in an afternoon of music, song, and storytelling. The young traditional artists include Martin Woods, Cillian Gallagher, John Greene, Catherine Philbin, Diarmuid Swift, Hannah Lyons, Fiachra Kilkenny Hopkins, Áine Wright and Julian Grufferty Hopkins.
The Music of Mayo Festival continues to create meaningful connections between artists, audiences, archives and communities while celebrating Mayo’s living traditional arts culture.
The festival offers a space where tradition is shared, renewed and carried forward.
Festival curator Emer Mayock said: "The Music of Mayo Festival celebrates the depth of traditional arts in our county - not only on stage, but in homes, communities, personal archives and everyday life. The festival creates a space where people can gather through music, song, story and shared cultural interest."
