Blindboy to headline Kildare’s Brigid festival 2026

KILDARE County Council has announced a standout programme for the Brigid 2026, Spirit of Kildare Festival, including a live podcast show with recent winner of the 2025 BBC Grierson Awards, Blindboy.

This year’s lineup will show a mix of music, art, conversation, and creative community-led events taking place across the county from Thursday 29 January to Monday 2 February 2026. The festival delivers a vibrant, five-day programme of music, art, culture, and family-friendly activities that celebrate Brigid’s enduring legacy and spirit.

Proudly delivered by Kildare County Council, the Brigid 2026 festival brings together some of Ireland’s most exciting artists and performers. The festival’s ticketed concert series, the Spirit of Kildare Sessions, features a powerful line-up, including performances from Blindboy, Gurriers, How to Gael Podcast, Celine Byrne and Jack L.

These highly anticipated acts join the recently announced Picture This homecoming performance at Dreamland Ballroom, Athy, which has already sold out.

Ticketed performances will take place across the County and the 2026 Festival also includes a new feature, a Festival hub, an atmospheric and intimate performance space called “Cruinniú Chill Dara” that will showcase musical and spoken word performances in a Spiegeltent at Áras Chill Dara in Naas.

Firmly established as one of Ireland’s leading cultural festivals, Brigid 2026 builds on the extraordinary impact and success of previous years. The programme offers a mix of free and ticketed events, welcoming all audiences to celebrate the best of Kildare’s culture and community.

This year’s concert series will unfold in unique and historic venues across County Kildare, offering audiences an unforgettable celebration of Irish artistry and culture.

Speaking on the launch of the programme for the upcoming festival, Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council said:

“With the Brigid 2026 – Spirit of Kildare Festival, we are continuing the remarkable journey that began with the success of Brigid 1500 and grew even stronger in 2025.

An inclusive celebration of St. Brigid’s enduring legacy, the 2026 festival seeks to further honour her life, spirit, and commitment to community, by bringing her story to life in fresh, imaginative ways that resonate with people of all ages, cultures, and background, across Kildare.” Details of free family friendly, community events and further ticketed performances will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the festival’s ticketed events will go on sale next Thursday, November 27 at 10am at spiritofbrigid.ie, with early demand expected following last year’s rapid sellout. For more information on Brigid 2026, please visit www.spiritofbrigid.ie and follow Spirit of Brigid on social media channels.