Luke Kelly Festival returns to Smithfield Square this May
The Luke Kelly Festival will return to Smithfield Square this May.
Returning for its fourth year, folk music lovers can celebrate the life and legacy of one of Dublin ’s most iconic voices at this family-friendly festival on Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24. With a full programme of live music, storytelling and community-led events inspired by the Dubliners’ singer's last impact on Irish culture, Smithfield will truly come alive.
Lord Mayor Ray McAdam welcomed the festival and highlighted Kelly’s legacy as a true Irish icon . "Luke Kelly did more than sing Dublin’s songs. He gave voice to our hopes, our struggles, our humour, our heart,” he said.
“This festival is about Celebrating Dublin in its truest form. A city of music and memory. A city of family and friendship. A city where stories are shared, songs are carried, and community is felt in every note. This May, Smithfield will not just host a festival. Smithfield will lift its voice for Luke, for Dublin, and for the generations still inspired by both.”
As a regular fixture of Dublin’s cultural calendar, the festival continues to celebrate Kelly’s legacy through traditional music and contemporary voices. The Luke Kelly Stage will feature a standout line-up of Irish talent across the weekend, with a strong day-by-day programme. It will feature recipients of the Luke Kelly Bursary who have applied for a chance to play on the main stage, gain mentorship time with acclaimed Irish folk artist George Murphy, and earn €1,000.
Luke Kelly’s niece Paula McCann spoke on behalf of her family and said they are grateful to Dublin City Council for organising this annual tribute. “It is very moving to meet so many of his fans across the generations and to hear how much he has touched people’s lives,” she said.
Saturday, May 23 will feature a performance from R&B singer and Sherriff Street-native Gemma Dunleavy. The day will also feature Dublin post-punk band A Lazarus Soul, whose poetic, politically resonant songs have garnered wide acclaim, and described by Christy Moore as "raw, relevant and real."
Sunday, May 24 will feature The Dubliners Encore (5–6pm), the acclaimed official stage show celebrating the music and legacy of The Dubliners, bringing timeless classics including The Wild Rover, Seven Drunken Nights and Whiskey in the Jar to Smithfield. Earlier in the day, audiences can experience Muireann Bradley (3–4pm), the internationally recognised young guitarist and singer whose masterful interpretations of early blues have earned her global attention.
Recipients of the Luke Kelly Bursary will also perform each day. Their performances will take place from 1-2pm on the main stage.
Away from the main stage, audiences can immerse themselves in the rich tradition of Dublin ballads at the O’Donoghue’s Tent, where Hank Byrne & Friends will host lively, informal sessions three times daily across both days (12–1pm, 2–3pm and 4–5pm).
The Bailey Discussion Tent will present a dynamic programme of talks and workshops exploring music, culture and heritage. Highlights across the weekend, Freedom Come All Ye - a deep dive into Luke Kelly’s love of Scottish song with Steve Byrne and Iona Fyfe (Saturday, 2–3pm), and The Sun is Burning - an exploration of protest and anti-war songs from The Dubliners to the present day with songwriter and civil rights activist Tommy Sands (Sunday, 2–3pm).
Extending the festival into the evening, the programme also includes two special screenings at the nearby Lighthouse Cinema. On Saturday 23 May (6.30pm), Celtic Utopia explores the shared cultural and musical traditions across Celtic nations, while on Sunday 24 May (6.30pm), In Time: Donal Lunny offers an intimate portrait of one of Ireland’s most influential figures in traditional music.
Following the success of last year’s interactive arts space, artist Heather Gray returns to lead the Arts & Crafts Tent, delivering a vibrant, inclusive programme of hands-on creative activities for all ages. From designing your own Luke Kelly-inspired hair and beard, to painting, comic creation, and reimagining I’ll Tell Me Ma in English or as Gaeilge, the space encourages imagination, participation and cultural connection.
The Centre Half has been expanded for 2026 to cater for all ages and skill levels, introducing a dedicated football field featuring interactive inflatable games including the mega shootout, junior shootout and an air jets football game. Alongside this, a golf corner will offer crazy golf and a chip shot game, running throughout the weekend and adding to the relaxed, inclusive, community-focused atmosphere.
The Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival is free to attend and welcomes Dubliners and visitors alike to celebrate one of the city’s most iconic cultural figures in Smithfield Square on 23 and 24 May 2026.