The 49th Clifden Arts Festival returns to Connemara from 17–27 September 2026 with an ambitious programme of music, literature, visual arts, theatre, film and ideas under the theme ‘OPEN’, promising a Festival of Welcome, Encounter and Possibility. Find out more here...
For almost five decades, Clifden Arts Festival has brought artists and audiences together in one of Ireland's most inspiring landscapes. As the festival looks towards its landmark 50th anniversary in 2027, this year's programme celebrates openness in all its forms – opening doors to new ideas, new artistic experiences, new conversations and new ways of seeing the world.
The spirit of OPEN will be visible throughout the town, most notably in a new temporary public artwork by acclaimed mural artist James Kirwan, whose specially commissioned Welcome mural on Clifden Town Hall will be created live during the opening days of the festival. Inspired by the people, landscape and creative energy of Clifden, the mural is a fitting symbol of this year's theme.
Music takes centre stage with a stellar line-up led by Irish rock legends The Stunning, whose return to Clifden is certain to be one of the most anticipated concerts of the year. Audiences can also look forward to performances by acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader and The Alan Kelly Gang, traditional music pioneers Lúnasa, and a special evening of songs and stories featuring Tom Dunne, Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Alan Connor.
Among the most eagerly awaited events of the festival is Niall Breslin & The Polaris Quartet. Set in the atmospheric surroundings of St Joseph's Church, the performance promises a unique evening of music, reflection and storytelling. Through his work as an author, podcaster and mental health advocate, Breslin has become one of Ireland's most influential contemporary voices, making this one of the standout events of the 2026 programme.
A major programme highlight is ‘Women of the Waves’, presented by LUXE Landscape Theatre on Omey Island. Set against one of Connemara's most spectacular natural backdrops, this large-scale outdoor performance combines light, movement, storytelling and landscape in a powerful celebration of place, community and the Atlantic spirit. As dusk falls across Omey, audiences will experience one of the festival's most visually striking and memorable events.
One of the most distinctive events in this year's programme is the world premiere of The Pale Blue Dot: Voyager's Golden Record – Reimagined for Our Time. Inspired by NASA's famous Golden Record, humanity's message to the cosmos launched aboard the Voyager spacecraft in 1977, this ambitious multimedia production combines newly commissioned music, astronomy and visual art in a powerful reflection on our shared humanity and our place in the universe. The performance asks a timeless question: if we were sending a message to the universe today, what would we choose to say?
The literary and ideas programme brings together some of Ireland's most engaging voices. Award-winning novelist Elaine Feeney joins the festival in conversation with Paula Shields, while acclaimed broadcaster, academic and author Emma Dabiri appears alongside Eva Kenny for a discussion exploring language, identity and belonging.
The programme also features former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, historian Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, author Fintan Drury, and Professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin, whose timely talk The Squeezed Middle: Europe between Russia and the USA examines Europe's increasingly complex position in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
Theatre audiences can enjoy a rich programme including ‘The Love Hungry Farmer’, featuring the hugely popular Seamus O'Rourke in John B. Keane's beloved comic masterpiece, alongside HUNGER: An Gorta Mór, a powerful production by Curlew Theatre drawing on the voices of those who experienced, witnessed and responded to the catastrophe of the Great Famine.
Film also features strongly, with a special screening of John Behan: Odyssey, a compelling new documentary exploring the life and work of Ireland's most celebrated living sculptor. Chronicling Behan's artistic journey from Dublin's inner city to international acclaim, the film explores themes of migration, social justice and artistic purpose. The screening will be followed by a special conversation with sculptor John Behan and internationally renowned filmmaker Donald Taylor Black.
The visual arts programme is one of the most ambitious in recent years and reflects the festival's themes of welcome, belonging, hospitality and connection to place.
A major highlight is Threshold: The Space In Between, a landmark exhibition by internationally acclaimed architects Sheila O'Donnell and John Tuomey. Featuring drawings, models and photographs from major international projects including V&A East Museum and Sadler's Wells East, the exhibition explores how architecture can foster belonging, welcome and human connection. Its focus on entrances, thresholds and spaces of invitation speaks directly to the festival theme of OPEN.
Widely admired sculptor Alan Clarke presents Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Totems, while also undertaking a live portrait commission throughout the festival. The specially commissioned work will be unveiled during the festival's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2027, offering audiences a rare opportunity to observe the creative process in action.
Artist and author Jennie Moran brings her acclaimed event Ghostis to Clifden, celebrating traditions of hospitality and welcome from cultures around the world. Through stories, conversation and shared food, Ghostis explores the enduring human instinct to welcome strangers and create community.
Jennie Moran photo by Michiel Devijve
Adventurer and mental health advocate Becky Gilmour joins the festival for a community walk and conversation inspired by her extraordinary journeys. In 2025, she became the first person to skateboard the length of the Wild Atlantic Way while fundraising for the Samaritans, a challenge that captured national attention. Her festival appearance explores resilience, wellbeing, community and the transformative power of adventure.
Other visual arts highlights include Returning, Tides & Stones by Lynda Bremner, What Remains by environmental sculptor Phil McSweeney, Feeling of Home, an exhibition of work by Ukrainian artists exploring memory, displacement and belonging, Making Art Work by the pioneering AKIN Artist Collective, and Kilnfire, a major exhibition showcasing the work of Galway ceramic artists.
The festival's renowned bus tours once again invite visitors beyond the gallery walls, offering rare opportunities to explore Connemara's cultural landscape through art, architecture, heritage and place. This year's carefully curated excursions include visits to Ballynahinch Castle's private art collection, Renvyle House Hotel, Interface artist residency, Roundstone Ceramics, ATU Letterfrack, Connemara Community Radio and other unique cultural locations not normally accessible to the public.
The festival's commitment to creativity and participation extends beyond the main programme through a vibrant Schools Programme, which engages children and young people across Connemara in workshops, performances, exhibitions and creative encounters with professional artists. Designed to inspire curiosity, imagination and confidence, the programme ensures that the festival continues to nurture the next generation of artists, audiences and creative thinkers.
Commenting on this year's programme, Festival Director Desmond Lally said; "As we approach the milestone of our 50th Festival next year, OPEN feels like the perfect theme for 2026. It speaks to the spirit of Clifden Arts Festival – a place where artists and audiences come together to share ideas, experiences and creativity. This year's programme celebrates welcome, curiosity and connection, bringing world-class artists to Connemara while creating opportunities for participation, conversation and discovery. We look forward to welcoming audiences from near and far to experience everything that makes Clifden Arts Festival so special."
Through music, literature, theatre, film, visual arts, architecture, workshops, public art and conversation, the 49th Clifden Arts Festival offers an open invitation to gather, discover and connect.
OPEN is more than a theme.
It is an invitation.
An invitation to experience Clifden through art, music and conversation.
Clifden Arts Festival
17–27 September 2026
For programme updates and ticket information visit www.clifdenartsfestival.ie
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