Our comedy hero is back on the road with a brand new epic standup show.
Join one of Ireland’s favourite comics as he takes on life’s absurdities in his own inimitable way. A celebration of the altogether too frequent weaknesses that make us human.
Don’t miss the hilarious Achilles Neil.
*Does not contain any actual Greek mythology
Welcome to the Hare & Tortoise
Who's the fastest? Who’s the winner?
Excitable, energetic Hare, or patient, peaceful Tortoise?
Ready? Steady? GO!...
Barnstorm is delighted to present 2 family shows of Hare & Tortoise in The Bank on the Parade, Kilkenny R95 Y672 on Sunday 9 March
Hare & Tortoise by Brendan Murray will ignite imaginations in this charming, award-winning adaptation of Aesop’s fable about friendship, opposites, and growing up.
Beginning in the first bright bloom of spring, journeying through the sunny, spirited summer, the cosy crisp autumn, and ending in the sparkling snow of winter, this enchanting story bursts to life with fun, music and captivating characters.
Kilkenny, Ireland is one of the BEST places to celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend with Kilkenny Tradfest in full swing!
Join us for the 2025 edition of Kilkenny Tradfest with over 90 free gigs on the Bulmers Music Trail and Kilkenny Tradfest Concerts including Sharon Shannon under the moon, Kíla, Aoife Scott, The Bonny Men and much more!
FOUR DAYS OF FESTIVAL FUN
There is something for all ages and tastes at St. Patrick's Festival Kilkenny! Expect a mixture of free and ticketed events, including live music, walking tours, family entertainment, highlight events and the St. Patrick's Day Parade! March 14th -17th 2025.
Dive into the future where music meets AI in an electrifying, interactive event led by Dr. Martin Clancy, a globally recognized authority on AI ethics, Ableton 12 Certified Trainer, and renowned figure in the music industry. The Future of Music – Keeping it fAIr offers an immersive experience that explores how AI is reshaping the landscape of creativity.
Abbeyfolk are a traditional Irish ballad band from the heart of Ireland. Formed in the 1980s in county Laois, they have clocked up thousands of miles as a hard-working band; performing with the likes of Sharon Shannon, The Wolfe Tones, The Fureys and Don McClean. For this very special performance they will be joined by the exceptionally talented Ballylinan balladeer, Kevin Morrin, in a celebration of the life and music of Luke Kelly. Tickets are limited so book now to avoid missing out on this one-off experience.
For nearly a decade now the Kilkenny Uilleann Pipers Club have been organising monthly Youth Sessions at the Home Rule Club, Kilkenny. These sessions are set up to give the teenagers learning traditional music, in and around Kilkenny, the opportunity to play in a real session environment with their peers, without the pressure of performance or competition. The session is welcome to all instruments and all musicians aged 13-18.
Join us at The National Reptile Zoo this March 15th-17th for a fun, interactive workshop!
Create your own “snock” puppet—just bring an old sock!
Learn about snake evolution & why people fear them
Discover how upcycling helps the planet
Known to be the most complex wind instrument, this iconic Irish instrument was recognised by UNESCO in 2017 as part of its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Twenty years ago the Kilkenny Uilleann Pipers Club was formed to help encourage and cultivate the playing of the uilleann pipes in the Kilkenny area through a combination of classes, workshops concerts and sessions. Why not join some local and not so local pipers to hear this instrument played in an informal session setting.
Award winning folk singer Aoife Scott is a songwriter based in Dublin, Ireland. Born into the legendary Black Family, Aoife is steadily rising to the top of the traditional and folk music scene and has long enjoyed success as an established artist in her own right. Fragile and ethereal one minute and strong and vibrant the next, her dynamic and profound vocals explore the emotional depths of her lyrics, leaving the audience entranced.
Aoife has a unique sound. Her music has a broad creative scope but is largely influenced by her own roots in folk and traditional Irish music. Following her highly celebrated debut album, Carry the Day, which was triumphantly launched at Temple Bar Tradfest in 2016 to rapturous acclaim, Aoife Scott released her much anticipated second album “HomeBird” in January at the Button Factory at Temple Bar Trad Festival 2020.
Since forming in 2011, The Bonny Men have established themselves as one of the top contemporary trad bands in the country, and indeed the world. Their 2nd album, ‘Moyne Road’ reached no.1 in the Irish music charts, and they have been nominated for numerous folk awards in recent times. They have performed at festivals all over the world and appeared regularly on Television and Radio. Recent appearances include Christchurch Cathedral and Dublin Castle, and they begin a national tour in 2025 on the back of their 3rd studio album, ‘The Broken Pledge’. Renowned for their electrifying live performances, The Bonny Men gracefully walk the fine line between traditional Irish music and contemporary music. The result is a fresh and vibrant sound, deeply rooted in tradition, yet unlike anything you’ve ever heard, and very much their own.
Siblings Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta hail from the Gaeltacht region of Connemara. They are noted for their sean nós singing and unique arrangements of both Irish and English language songs. Their performances benefit from the vocal tones that only families share. Their Late Late Show performance in 2022 of the soulful lament Anach Cuain went viral around the world. They are also accomplished multi-instrumentalists who keep the Irish language and their heritage at the heart of all their musical endeavours. In 2023 they released their debut EP Séamus & Caoimhe which was produced by Brian Whelan and Riverdance composer Bill Whelan. Séamus and Caoimhe are the recipients of the RTÉ Folk Award for ‘Best Emerging Artists’ 2024.
Award winning Irish group Two Time Polka play a fiery mixture of Cajun, Bluegrass and rock ’n roll music. They are not unknown to spice up their live performances with flavours such as
Argentinian tangos, Brazilian, Colombian and Puerto Rican dance tunes.
With six albums to their credit, Two Time Polka has proven popular with radio stations receiving both national and international airplay. In 2005 they toured the US which led to the release of a
compilation CD there.
In 2011 Two Time Polka were winners in the Best Musical Act category, awarded to them by AOIFE, the governing body of festivals in Ireland.
The Tulla Ceili Band was formed in 1946 to take part in a Ceili Band competition at Feile Luimni. P Joe Hayes and Paddy Canny were some of the first members to join.
Down through the years, the Tulla Ceili Band have performed at both national and international events.
The Band has performed at Ceilis, concerts and Festivals, ranging from the Willie Clancy festival to The Electric Picnic.
As the Band heads for its 80th anniversary, there is a healthy mix of young and old talented musicians keeping the traditional East Clare style of music alive.
With a stentorian voice described as “a bracing, baleful, baritone that sounds as if it’s been dug from the deepest, most fragrant turf” (Songlines), Macdara Yeates is ploughing his furrow as a solo performer, garnering critical praise for his solo debut (★★★★★ Songlines, ★★★★ The Irish Times) and performing on some of the most coveted stages in folk music.
“In a golden age for traditional singing in Ireland, Yeates’s debut comes as a further welcome affirmation that the torch is being passed to a generation who truly understand and value its worth, while acknowledging that they are not afraid to inhabit it with their own particular voice.”– The Irish Times
Formed at school in Dublin’s late 1980’s, the Award-winning band, Kíla, are heralded as one of Ireland’s most innovative and exciting bands. Their unique sound has been ever-evolving; rooted in tradition yet inspired by a myriad of influences and ideas from all around the world. Kíla fuses the effects of their own melodies and Irish language lyrics, Irish folk instruments such as whistles,
fiddles, Uilleann pipes, bones and bodhrán with djembe, congas, drums, mandolins, brass, and acoustic/electric/bass guitars. Their eight members come from different musical backgrounds of traditional, classical, and rock. The result is a fresh blend of freewheeling instrumentals, furious jigs, and primal rhythms that transcend the traditional boundaries of Irish music.
Tickets on Sale February 21st 2025 at 12 noon, tickets will sell out for this event, please mark your diaries.
See the skies of Kilkenny light up in this celebratory St. Patrick’s night event. Ticket holders get a prime viewing spot in Kilkenny Castle Park, in the heart of Kilkenny’s medieval city.
Spectators can expect 8-10 minutes of truly spectacular fireworks creating art in the sky with vibrant colours and magical effects. It will be a visual aerial feast for all to enjoy!
Individual tickets cost €4 + booking fee. Family tickets are €18 + booking fee and admit 5 people. All attendees require tickets.
Location: Kilkenny Castle Park (enter from the Parade or Castle Road only)
Gates open at 7:30pm | Gates close at 7.55pm sharp
Fireworks begin at 8pm | Show will be 8-10mins in duration
This is event is subject to license
Moon Music, an orchestral reimagining of Coldplay’s most iconic songs, will be presented by the OneOrchestra Group at St Canice’s Cathedral.
Set beneath Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon, this performance merges orchestral music with visual art to create a rare, immersive experience. Under the direction of Michael Amadi, founder of OneOrchestra, this special performance will transform Coldplay’s familiar melodies into a rich, cinematic soundscape. The band’s timeless songs are reinterpreted through a string quartet, piano, and voice, creating a dynamic atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.
A programme of solo piano music inspired by Luke Jerram’s lunar installation, Museum of the Moon, will be held on Saturday, March 29th, at 8pm. This special event marks the closing night of the installation's visit to St Canice’s Cathedral, fittingly coinciding with the New Moon.
Esteemed classical pianist David McEntee will present a carefully curated programme inspired by Jerram’s work. The recital will feature Debussy’s iconic Clair de Lune, Beethoven’s celebrated Moonlight Sonata, compositions by Grieg and Sibelius, and selections from beloved film scores.
Originally from Belfast, David McEntee is a distinguished concert pianist now based in the Burren, Co. Clare. With over two decades of experience teaching piano and music theory, he holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Cork School of Music (2009–2013), where he specialised in piano performance and pedagogy. He also holds a Diploma in Teaching and Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music (2007–2008). David has studied with prominent figures including Dearbhla Collins, Réamonn Keary, and John O’Conor.
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