30/04/2026
DCC Announces Return of Luke Kelly Festival to Smithfield Square
Smithfield Square is set to host the fourth annual Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026. The weekend-long celebration honours the life and work of the legendary Dubliner through a diverse programme of live music, discussion, storytelling, and community activities.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray MacAdam, commented: "Luke Kelly did more than sing Dublin's songs. He gave voice to our hopes, our struggles, our humour, our heart. 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."
The festival's main stage features a curated line-up of established and emerging talent. Saturday 23 May will see performances from R&B artist and local native Gemma Dunleavy, alongside the post-punk group a lazarus soul. Sunday 24 May highlights include The Dubliners Encore, the official stage show performing the band's classic repertoire, and a set from internationally acclaimed young blues guitarist Muireann Bradley.
A central feature of the 2026 programme is the newly launched Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Bursary. Six recipients will receive €1,000 each and mentorship from folk artist George Murphy, with the opportunity to perform on the main stage. Applications for the bursary remain open until 3 May via lukekellybursary.ie.
Paula McCann, niece of Luke Kelly, stated: "The Kelly family is very grateful to Dublin City Council for organising this annual tribute to Luke. 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."
Beyond the main stage, the festival offers several dedicated zones:
• O'Donoghue's Tent: Hosting informal ballad sessions three times daily with Hank Byrne & Friends.
• The Bailey Discussion Tent: Featuring talks such as "Freedom Come All Ye," exploring Scottish song traditions, and "The Sun is Burning," a look at the history of protest music with Tommy Sands.
• Arts & Crafts Tent: Led by artist Heather Gray, providing interactive activities including comic creation and Luke Kelly-inspired crafts.
• The Centre Half: An expanded sports area for 2026 featuring a football field with inflatable games and a golf corner.
• The cultural programme extends to the Lighthouse Cinema with evening screenings of Celtic Utopia on Saturday and In Time: Donal Lunny on Sunday.
The Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival is a non-ticketed, free event open to all members of the public.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray MacAdam, commented: "Luke Kelly did more than sing Dublin's songs. He gave voice to our hopes, our struggles, our humour, our heart. 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."
The festival's main stage features a curated line-up of established and emerging talent. Saturday 23 May will see performances from R&B artist and local native Gemma Dunleavy, alongside the post-punk group a lazarus soul. Sunday 24 May highlights include The Dubliners Encore, the official stage show performing the band's classic repertoire, and a set from internationally acclaimed young blues guitarist Muireann Bradley.
Paula McCann, niece of Luke Kelly, stated: "The Kelly family is very grateful to Dublin City Council for organising this annual tribute to Luke. 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."
Beyond the main stage, the festival offers several dedicated zones:
• O'Donoghue's Tent: Hosting informal ballad sessions three times daily with Hank Byrne & Friends.
• The Bailey Discussion Tent: Featuring talks such as "Freedom Come All Ye," exploring Scottish song traditions, and "The Sun is Burning," a look at the history of protest music with Tommy Sands.
• Arts & Crafts Tent: Led by artist Heather Gray, providing interactive activities including comic creation and Luke Kelly-inspired crafts.
• The Centre Half: An expanded sports area for 2026 featuring a football field with inflatable games and a golf corner.
• The cultural programme extends to the Lighthouse Cinema with evening screenings of Celtic Utopia on Saturday and In Time: Donal Lunny on Sunday.
The Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival is a non-ticketed, free event open to all members of the public.
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16 April 2026
DCC Launches New Bursary to Champion Irish Folk Talent
Dublin City Council has introduced the Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Bursary 2026, a new programme designed to identify and support the next generation of singers within the Irish folk tradition.
DCC Launches New Bursary to Champion Irish Folk Talent
Dublin City Council has introduced the Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Bursary 2026, a new programme designed to identify and support the next generation of singers within the Irish folk tradition.
12 May 2026
Eight Emerging Artists Awarded Inaugural Luke Kelly Bursary
Dublin City Council has officially named the eight recipients of the first-ever Luke Kelly Bursary, an initiative established to foster emerging voices within Irish folk music.
Eight Emerging Artists Awarded Inaugural Luke Kelly Bursary
Dublin City Council has officially named the eight recipients of the first-ever Luke Kelly Bursary, an initiative established to foster emerging voices within Irish folk music.
05 April 2012
The Dubliners Banjo Player Passes Away
One of the founding members of The Dubliners, Barney McKenna, has died at the age of 72. McKenna is believed to have passed away at his home this morning. The legendary banjo player had been a member of the band since 1962 and was the only remaining living member of the original line-up which included musicians Ronnie Drew and Luke Kelly.
The Dubliners Banjo Player Passes Away
One of the founding members of The Dubliners, Barney McKenna, has died at the age of 72. McKenna is believed to have passed away at his home this morning. The legendary banjo player had been a member of the band since 1962 and was the only remaining living member of the original line-up which included musicians Ronnie Drew and Luke Kelly.
04 September 2017
Appeal Issued For Missing Galway Teenager
Gardaí have issued an appeal for information in tracing the whereabouts of 16-year-old Luke Adams, who has been missing from Galway since Friday. Luke, who is described as 6'3" tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, was last seen in Claregalway at around 1pm on Friday.
Appeal Issued For Missing Galway Teenager
Gardaí have issued an appeal for information in tracing the whereabouts of 16-year-old Luke Adams, who has been missing from Galway since Friday. Luke, who is described as 6'3" tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, was last seen in Claregalway at around 1pm on Friday.
07 September 2012
Irishman Dies After Hammer Attack In Australia
A Dublin man has died in an Australian hospital following a brutal hammer attack in 13 days ago. 27-year-old David Greene from Monaloe Park in Cabinteely, Co Dublin died last night in a hospital in Melbourne, following the attack nearly two weeks ago.
Irishman Dies After Hammer Attack In Australia
A Dublin man has died in an Australian hospital following a brutal hammer attack in 13 days ago. 27-year-old David Greene from Monaloe Park in Cabinteely, Co Dublin died last night in a hospital in Melbourne, following the attack nearly two weeks ago.
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Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain, much of the rain light and patchy although the odd heavier burst possible in the afternoon. Some brighter spells with a scattering of showers developing later. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Bright spells and occasional showers this evening. The showers most frequent in the west and around the north coast overnight, some drier and clearer spells for Belfast and the east. Minimum temperature 6 °C.