Festival of Music in Offaly turns ten this year

THE programme for the 10th annual Birr Festival of Music has been announced for Thursday April 30th-Monday May 4th 2026.

Over the last decade, the Festival has grown into a vibrant annual celebration of classical music in County Offaly presenting a dynamic programme of concerts, masterclasses, street performances and special events. At this special anniversary festival, you can expect unforgettable performances, inspiring artists and a weekend of exceptional music.

On Friday May 1st, join The Niall Kinsella Orchestra and Irish jazz diva Stella Bass for 'The Golden Age of Jazz & Swing' in St Brendan’s RC Church on Wilmer Road - featuring the best of American Songbook standards by Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter and instrumentals of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie and others.

World-renowned soprano Celine Byrne makes her festival debut in 'Songs of Inspiration & Hope' at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre on Saturday May 2nd. While on the Birr Castle Lawn on Sunday May 3rd, TU Dublin Conservatoire will present Henry Purcell’s 'Dido & Aeneas' - performed by 25 of the Conservatoire’s vocal and music students - in the festival’s first outdoor opera.

Other new events include The Merry Band at RHSI Bellefield in Shinrone and The Road Home by Birr’s Sing It! Community Choir featuring soloists Pascal Kennedy (baritone) and Sarah Luttrell (mezzo-soprano) in St Brendan’s Church of Ireland. The international duo Bruno Caproni and Julian Evans return to perform, deliver masterclasses and adjudicate at The Trench Award Gala Concert - the centrepiece of the festival.

On Sunday May 3rd, six outstanding singers and instrumentalists, selected through a highly-competitive application process will take to the stage at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre. Recipients of The Trench Award, Birr Lions Club Bursary, Canto Al Serchio Prize, Connolly Award, Lumcloon Energy Award and the Tullamore Gramophone Society Bursary (new this year) will be decided by an esteemed panel of industry experts.

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This year, there is a new location for the exclusive Patrons & Sponsors afternoon concert. In grateful acknowledgement of patrons, sponsors and friends, the stunning Kinnitty Castle Hotel is the venue for this special performance of Baroque arias and chamber music by Bach, Purcell and Handel. Featuring Katy Kelly (soprano), Niall Kinsella (harpsichord), past Trench Award winners and guests.

Birr Festival of Music gratefully acknowledges the generous and continued support of all their patrons, sSponsors and funders over the past 10 years. They are also thrilled to welcome Canbe as their Hospitality Partner and RHSI Bellefield and Kinnitty Castle Hotel as their new Venue Partners in 2026.

There will also be a host of pop-up performances around the town including by Birr Young Voices on Sunday May 3rd at Memory Lane Courtyard.

Speaking about this year’s programme, Artistic Director Niall Kinsella said: “As we celebrate ten years of the Birr Festival of Music, this anniversary programme reflects how far we’ve come and the exciting future ahead. We are delighted to welcome back leading Irish jazz singer Stella Bass to this year’s festival and it is a particular pleasure that the wonderful soprano Celine Byrne makes her festival debut. We are especially excited to partner with TU Dublin Conservatoire and long-time festival friend Dr Sandra Oman-Farren to present our first outdoor opera at Birr Castle, which is a landmark moment for the festival. Above all, this year’s programme brings together exceptional artists, emerging talent and our community in a way that truly captures the spirit of the festival.”

Tickets are on sale now via the Birr Festival of Music website www.birrfestivalofmusic.com or if you prefer to book over the phone, you can call Box Office on (057) 91 22911

Birr Festival of Music is kindly funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, The JVM Trench Will Trust and Offaly County Council.

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