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Kilkenny Roots Festival 2025

Since 1998, Kilkenny Roots Festival has attracted some of the finest names in the Americana/Roots canon, including Calexico, Giant Sand, Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell, Alejandro Escovedo, Guy Clark, Chuck Prophet, Ray LaMontagne, Richmond Fontaine, Rodney Crowell, Phosphorescent, Sturgill Simpson and Alabama Shakes.

Audiences wind their way through the medieval streets sampling the huge range of music in the 30 plus venues, hosting over 40 Irish and international acts, with over 90 ticketed and free shows from early afternoon until late into the night.

There’s a mixture of old and new acts on the free pub gig trail and all styles are catered for, from swing to bluegrass, rockabilly to cajun, folk, blues and beyond.

WOL Collective – Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival

Smithwick's Experience 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny

Get ready to dance with WOL Collective, a five-piece folk-rock band from Kilkenny. Their unique blend of traditional Irish folk songs with 60’s psychedelic and folk-rock influences creates a rich, harmony-led sound reminiscent of Jefferson Airplane and Fairport Convention.

Free

Kilkenny Roots Festivals – Jerron Paxton

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Jerron Paxton at Watergate, Kilkenny for Kilkenny Roots Festival 2025

Growing up in Los Angeles, Jerron Paxton would sit with an ear by the radio, eagerly absorbing the nuances and history of Black American traditional music that connect him to his ancestral roots in the South. A songwriter, inheritor of tradition, and a walking, talking jukebox, Paxton approaches his craft with equal part wit and reverence, with a knack for leg-pulling and cracking wise. Things Done Changed is an album of original songs that sound beamed in from nearly a century ago, when jazz and blues were performed as a means of both personal and cultural survival. Lick by lick, Paxton builds a bridge between generations gone and generations to come, singing the heartaches and joys of the past and present.

€30

Kilkenny Roots Festival – Jim Lauderdale

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Kilkenny Roots Festival proudly presents Jim Lauderdale's only Irish date of 2025.

Jim Lauderdale is the Grammy Award Winning Singer, Songwriter and Performer known as one of Americana’s most steadfast champions.

€30

Our Man in the Field – Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival

Smithwick's Experience 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny

Experience the soulful indie-folk and Americana vibes of UK singer-songwriter Alex Ellis and his band. Their music is an intoxicating mix that nods to Ray LaMontagne, Damien Rice, Wilco, Ryan Adams, and Lambchop.

Free

Leaf Rapids – Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival

Smithwick's Experience 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny

 Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, Leaf Rapids brings their ethereal folk, driving country, and wiry honky-tonk style to the stage. Often described as “cinematic Canadiana,“ their music explores family stories with unique elements like the. theremin. 

Free

The Epic History of The Lord of the Rings

The Set Theatre

Journey deep into Tolkien’s imagination, from The Lord of the Ring’s mythic roots to modern adaptations. Followed by Q&A.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic tales of Middle-earth are a cultural phenomenon, still growing fifty years after his death. Join us to meet the man behind a whole mythology and follow in his footsteps as he creates The Lord of the Rings. We’ll discover the young love, the deep friendships and the tragic sorrows that helped forge his ideas. And we’ll dive into his immense imagination to explore the fundamentals of his world of elves and hobbits, dragons and Dark Lords.

€18.50

Gearóid Farrelly: Gearóid Rage

The Set Theatre

Gearóid Farrelly: Gearóid Rage

Gearóid Farrelly follows his mammoth Glamour Hammer tour with a hilarious new stand up show touching on the many, many, MANY things that make his blood boil. 

“Gearóid Farrelly is Bloody Hilarious” Sarah Millican
“My Absolute Favourite” Joanne McNally
To be in Farrelly’s crowd is a joy. Each joke landed perfectly… impeccable comic timing” ★★★★★ Broadway Baby

€22

An Evening at the Oscars

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

'An Evening at the Oscars' in the glorious setting of St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny City. This concert will travel through a selection of the most emotional, haunting and exiting film themes in history. Performed by an 80 piece orchestra in the incredible acoustics of this wonderful Cathedral is a night to remember! Conducted by Patrick Rafter and featuring the violin solo in Schindlers List.

€25 – €35

OFX Irish Legends Tour 2025

Mount Juliet Estate Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

2025 sees the OFX Legends Tour return to the Mount Juliet Estate for the first time since 1999 and this tournament always has a great atmosphere, attracting some of the biggest names on the Legends Tour. Venue of Tiger Woods’ famous victory in the 2002 WGC-American Express Championship, the Nicklaus designed course is always a tough test. The 500-acre estate has plenty on offer, with a Guinness or two not far away.

WIN
In partnership with Kilkenny Tourism, Mount Juliet Estate are hosting an Open Weekend where the winner will take part in the OFX Irish Legends as a competitor!

Kilkenny Beer Festival at Sullivan’s Taproom

Sullivan's Taproom 15 John Street Lower, KILKENNY, KILKENNY, Ireland

Kilkenny Beer Festival Returns May 16th and 17th, bringing you some top breweries from our little island and one from across the pond to celebrate what these magicians can produce.

Delighted to welcome first time Kilkenny Beer Fest breweries Crew Brew Co, Rascals Brewing, Killarney Brewing & Distilling Co, McGill's Brewery, Vault City Brewing and returning friends Third Barrel Brewing, LineMan Beer, O'Hara's Beers, O Brother Brewing, Eight Degrees Brewing and Wicklow Wolf

Free

Kilkenny Law Festival

Kilkenny City

Kilkenny Law Festival is brought to you by the geniuses behind Kilkenomics Festival. The Law festival is holding its inaugural event from the 16th-18th of May and is set to cover a wide range of topics from the future of legal technologies and AI, an incoming American constitutional crisis, and a debate on libel, defamation and the media. Join experts in the Irish legal scene for an insightful weekend in Kilkenny.

Patrick Rafter & Barry Douglas in recital

St. Mary's Cathedral James' St., Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Barry Douglas is long established as one of the greatest and most successful classical musicians to ever come out of Ireland. Barry will perform the virtuosic and ecstatic 'Pictures at an Exhibition' by Mussorgsky. Barry will be joined by violinist Patrick Rafter to perform the epic Sonata in A by Cesar Franck.

€35

Thin Az Lizzy & Deuce

The Set Theatre

All shows are over 18’s unless specified

(once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded, unless the event is cancelled)

Thin Az Lizzy
The definitive and critically acclaimed Thin Lizzy Tribute show hits Set Theatre Kilkenny this coming May 2025 for an explosive night of classic rock anthems!

Endorsed by Philomena Lynott and fronted by Johnny D Fox, this is one for all the true Lizzy Fans out there!

Deuce is a tribute band dedicated to celebrating the music and legacy of Rory Gallagher, one of the most influential blues and rock guitarists of the 20th century. The band, named after Gallagher’s 1971 album Deuce, aims to authentically recreate the sound, energy, and spirit of his live performances.

€22

The Mother Event at Highbank Orchards

Highbank Orchards Farmley, Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

Join us at our organic orchard on the 24th of May for a day of nourishment and connectivity.
-Enjoy a yoga and mediation session under our majestic oak tree with Trisha Norton
-Gut health talks from some of our favourite foodies - Karen O'Donoghue from Happy Tummy Co. and Etaoin Holahan from Fennelly's
-A panel discussion with Gerry from Kingofkefir.ie to finish off the day before heading to Fennelly's of Callan for a seasonal spread in the flowering courtyard
-And of course, Rod and Julie will be giving a gut health talk with lots of their apple-y goodies to sample!

€65 – €85

Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival 2025

We are back this June bank holiday weekend for another Cat-tacular edition of the Kilkenny Cat Laughs! Kilkenny Cat Laughs is Ireland’s annual craic pilgrimage, and has been heralding the start of the summer season since 1995. The festival has played host over the years to international and domestic world class comedy. With a whopper 33 comedians, and tickets starting from just €15, there is something for everyone at Kilkenny Cat Laughs 2025. Roll on summer!

Kilkenny Cat Laughs: Chris Kent & Friends

Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel

Sit back and laugh until your belly hurts with Chris Kent & friends in the King's Suite at Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.  The Corkonian is hitting the Marble City with a whole host of comedians that will have your belly aching from 2 1/2 hours of laughs! 

€22.50

Kilkenny Cat Laughs: Nine Lives

Hotel Kilkenny College Rd, Sugarloafhill, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

You'll leave Hotel Kilkenny with side-splitting pains after laughing at some of the top comedians in Ireland and the UK. See some familiar faces from your favourite comedy shows in action with Jason Byrne, Neil Delamere, Alison Spittle, Colm O'Regan, David O'Doherty, Karl Spain, Fatiha-El-Ghorri and Lindsey Santoro all taking to the stage in a fun-filled night of comedy. 

€38.50

Kilkenny Cat Laughs: Karl Spain Hiss-terical Walking Tour

Kilkenny Tourist Office 79A High St. Gardens, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Join Karl Spain for a 'hiss-terical' walking tour around the Medieval City. The tour sold-out with great demand in 2024, with an extra date added in 2025 for everyone to laugh their way around the city at the hands of one of Ireland's most popular comedians

€20

Kilkenny Cat Laughs: Top Cats in the Ballroom

langtons Hotel 69 John Street, Kilkenny, Ireland

Join some iconic names in Irish comedy in Langtons Ballroom for an evening that you won't forget! With comedy legend, Deirdre O'Kane, Chris Kent, Kevin McGahern, Emma Doran, Shane Todd, David O'Doherty (and his little piano!) and Kilkenny-native, Mike Rice. 

€35

Tom O’Mahony: O’ My Honey

Kilkenny Comedy Club 3 John's Quay Gardens, Kilkenny, Ireland

It's a pleasure to welcome one of our most-requested acts back to the Kilkenny Comedy Club for a solo show (with opening act)!

This time, Tom tries to make sense of the very weird place we find ourselves today. After the strain of building a house in the past year, losing more hair than planned and gaining more aches than deserved, Tom’s wondering if a trip to Turkey or joining OnlyFans may be the new best option. And what does the show title mean? You’ll have to come to find out…

€22

Rebecca O’Connor as Tina Turner: Simply The Best

Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre Ballykeeffe, Kilmanagh, Co. Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Backed by a world-class band and her dazzling dancers, the “Rebeccettes,” Rebecca delivers show-stopping renditions of Tina’s greatest hits. From “Proud Mary” and “River Deep” to “Private Dancer” and “Simply The Best,” this high-octane performance will have you on your feet, singing along to the songs that defined a generation. 

€30

Kilkenny Country Music Festival

Gowran Park Mill Rd, Gowran Demesne,, Kilkenny, Ireland

This truly unique festival is set in the idyllic grounds of Gowran Park. Join us for a day of fun, music and dance with some of the best Country Singers in Ireland. Festival 2025 will feature headline act Mike Denver with The Conquerors as backing band for the day. Also featuring will be Michael English, Robert Mizzell, Lousie Morrissey, Olivia Douglas, Gerri Gutheri, Stacey Breen and Peter & Paul.

Located just 10 minutes from the M7 there’s something for everyone with state of the art facilities including onsite bars and restaurants, dancing on a giant dance floor, easy parking, activities for the kids, and entertained with great Country Music Children Under 12 Free when accompanied by adult. This is the place to be on July 6th 2025!!

€30

80’s Icons Show

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

80s Icons Show, Ireland’s first live 80s touring theatre show.

80s Icons Show celebrates the music of bands such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Level 42, Nik Kershaw, Go West, Tears For Fears, Human League, Paul Young, ABC, Ultravox, Phil Collins and many many more… so sit back, strap yourself in for a show that defines a decade.

€29