Offaly town comes alive as Sundew Festival delivers a weekend to remember
The inaugural Sundew Festival in Daingean proved a great success
THE Daingean Sundew Festival 2026 has drawn to a close, leaving behind an unmistakable sense of pride, connection and celebration across the Offaly village after a truly exceptional weekend.
From 12–14 June, Daingean was transformed, with a real festival spirit felt in every corner — along the canal, in the town square, and across local venues — as people came together to celebrate local heritage, the surrounding boglands, and the story of the sundew.
The weekend programme delivered something for everyone, with standout moments including the return of the much-loved boat race, which brought the canal to life and sparked great energy and friendly rivalry among local clubs.
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The community 52M barge’s visit to the Daingean emerged as one of the defining features of the festival, with its programme of events on the water creating unforgettable moments and a sense of magic along the canal that will stay with visitors long after the weekend ended.
The Sundew Community Parade on Sunday was another highlight, filling the streets with colour and creativity as community groups, families and local organisations proudly took part in a celebration of Daingean’s identity and spirit.
Music played a central role throughout the weekend, from the atmospheric barge sessions on the canal, to the lively music trail across local pubs, to packed crowds enjoying live performances in the town square. The busking competition brought incredible talent to the streets, creating a vibrant and interactive experience for audiences and performers alike.
Sunday afternoon’s community dog show proved to be a favourite, drawing crowds for a light-hearted and fun event that showcased the best of community participation.
The festival also featured a wide range of family-friendly and community activities, including art workshops, storytelling sessions, heritage walks, biodiversity events, yoga by the canal, angling competitions, family rounders and the ever-popular Teddy Bear & Bumblebee Picnic — ensuring there was something for all ages to enjoy.
A strong theme throughout the weekend was biodiversity and a renewed connection to the local landscape, brought to life through a range of engaging and educational events. Starting with a Find the Sundew walk on the Friday evening, this helped participants learn about — and in some cases spot — the sundew plant in its natural bogland habitat, deepening appreciation for this remarkable species that inspired the festival. From the hands-on “Biodiversity Through Microbes” workshop on the barge, where children explored the hidden world of nature, to the popular swift walk, which highlighted local wildlife in action, festival-goers were encouraged to look more closely at the natural environment around them.
This connection to place was further celebrated through the Sundew and Local Landscape art competition that took place with Daingean National School students, where creativity and nature came together, showcasing the beauty and biodiversity of the area in a way that was both visible and accessible to all.
Local creativity was also on full display through the art exhibition in the Daingean Town Hall Court House, which had not been opened up to the public in years. Open across the weekend and featured work inspired by local heritage, landscape and community life. The exhibition provided a welcoming space for visitors to drop in, explore and connect with local artists, adding another dimension to the festival and highlighting the strong artistic talent within the community.
What truly set the weekend apart was the spirit in which it was delivered.
The festival was organised and run by a dedicated group of volunteers, supported by local clubs, community organisations, and a wide network of sponsors and supporters.
One volunteer commented: “There was such a great buzz all weekend. Everyone just pulled together — it didn’t feel like work, it felt like a real community celebration.”
A festival-goer added: “It was fantastic to see so many people out and about. The music, the canal events, the parade — there was something happening everywhere.”
Reflecting on the boat race, another attendee shared: “That was a highlight for me — brilliant atmosphere and great to see all the clubs getting involved.”
Families also praised the inclusive nature of the programme: “We were out all weekend. The kids loved it — from the picnic to the dog show to the parade. It was so well organised and welcoming.”
The success of the 2026 Sundew Festival would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors and partners.
The organising committee extends sincere thanks to Offaly County Council, Offaly Local Development Company, Creative Ireland and Tullamore Credit Union for their continued backing of community initiatives.
Special thanks also to local sponsors including Killeshal, Ballyglass Truss, Clonearl Engineering, Ryan’s Pharmacy, Scullys XL, Hot Shots Coffee, Daingean Nursery and Garden Centre, Paw-Fection, Loughrey’s Stoneworks, Ryan’s Pharmacy, O’Grady Crane Hire & Transport, and many more businesses who supported the festival through sponsorship and collaboration.
Local venues and businesses such as The Grove, Seery’s, The Blackthorn and The Gaelic Bar played a key role in bringing the music trail to life, while community partners and contributors ensured the programme was varied, inclusive and accessible.
The organisers would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many volunteers who supported the festival across the weekend, whose time, energy and commitment were central to its success. In particular, thanks to Offaly Volunteer Centre, who were present throughout the weekend, providing invaluable support and helping ensure the smooth running of events.
A special highlight was the inclusion of the Trishaw, which made a huge impact on the festival — leading the community parade and offering participants the opportunity to enjoy trips along the greenway and around the town. It was a simple but powerful addition that ensured the festival remained inclusive, accessible and welcoming for all.
The Daingean Sundew Festival has reaffirmed the importance of community-led events in bringing people together, supporting local businesses, and celebrating the unique culture and natural heritage of the area.
Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, a spokesperson said: “This weekend showed exactly what Daingean is about — community, creativity and connection. The support has been incredible, and there’s a real appetite to build on this for the future.”
With its focus on heritage, biodiversity and community spirit, the Sundew Festival has firmly established itself as a standout event in the local calendar.
As the town reflects on a fantastic weekend, there is already great excitement about what comes next.