The 25th Annual Maurice O’Keeffe Western Duhallow Music Festival is set to take place from Thursday, 2 April to Monday, 6 April 2026, celebrating Irish traditional music in the heart of North Cork. The festival will feature seventeen music sessions and one singing session, taking place in the Why Not and Shamrocks pubs in Kiskeam and Sliabh Luachra Johnny D’s pub in Ballydesmond.
Top musicians from across Munster are expected to perform, with the festival offering workshops and sessions designed to suit both newcomers and seasoned followers of traditional Irish music. On Friday, 3 April, Tim Joe and Anne will take to the stage at Ballydesmond Community Centre, while on Saturday, 4 April, Kiskeam Community Centre will host an All-Star Concert, highlighting some of the finest talent in the region.
The packed programme ensures there is something for all music enthusiasts, from casual listeners to devoted festival-goers, continuing a proud tradition that has grown over a quarter of a century.
The Maurice O’Keeffe Festival remains a key cultural event in the Western Duhallow area, celebrating both local heritage and the wider Irish music scene, bringing communities together through a shared love of music and song.