Programme 2025
In this exciting programme curated by our new Artistic Director Diane Daly, artists from across Ireland and around the world will be joining us in our beautiful cathedral space.
Wednesday 28th of May
10.00am - Lakeside Hotel, Ballina
ALL AGES EVENT - School Summits
The Festival launches by bringing together all the National Schools in the area with a special musical celebration in which they perform to and with each other.
Friday 30th of May
7.00PM - ST. FLANNAN’S CATHEDRAL, Killaloe
EVENING CONCERT - Life Stories
Gustav Pfleger-Moravsky (1833-1875): Reading from ‘Cypresses’
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904): Selections from ‘Cypresses’
Caroline Shaw (1982-): Microfictions, Volume 1
Diane Daly & Dvořák: Songs My Mother Taught Me
Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884): String Quartet No. 1, ‘From My Life’
10.00PM - ST. FLANNAN’S CATHEDRAL, Killaloe
LATE NIGHT CONCERT - Taverner Four Quartets
A unique musical experience in which the audience is surrounded by four string quartets, with light effects enhancing the ethereal quality of the music of John Taverner.
11.00PM - liam o’riain’s pub, ballina
TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION
Cross the river for the monthly music session, sustained by local musicians for over twenty years.
Saturday 31st of May
11.00AM - Lakeside Hotel, Ballina
COFFEE CONCERT - QUARTETS IN THE CONSERVATORY
Enjoy the wonderful views of Killaloe from the Lakeside Hotel, while listening to two of Ireland’s most exciting young quartets.
3.00pm - Killaloe Catholic Church, Killaloe
FAMILY EVENT - MUSICIANS OF THE FUTURE
Continuing the theme of youth, this special event at the Catholic church, on the site of Brian Boru’s palace, features younger musicians of the region taking their first steps into festival performance.
7.00pm - ST. FLANNAN’S CATHEDRAL, Killaloe
EVENING CONCERT - Drama and Serenity
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): Cello Suite
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 – 1975): String Quartet No. 8
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): Cello Suite
Max Bruch (1838–1920): String Octet in B♭ major, Op. posth.
10.00pm - ST. FLANNAN’S CATHEDRAL, Killaloe
LATE NIGHT CONCERT - Festival Cabaret
Musicians of the festival come together with special guests to create an imaginative and informal cabaret performance.
Sunday 1st of June
1.00PM - OUR LADY & ST. LUA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, BallinA
LUNCHTIME CHORAL CONCERT
Six local choirs will come together in this annual celebration of the strength of the region’s choral tradition.
4.00pm - Liam O’Riain’s pub, ballina
FESTIVAL TRAD SESSION
A lively session of Traditional Irish music with long-time musicians from the area.
7.00Pm - ST. FLANNAN’S CATHEDRAL, Killaloe
EVENING CONCERT - Rhythm is a Dancer
Karan Casey & Kate Ellis: The Fiddle and the Drum
Adrian Eriksson: Trio for marimba, violin and double bass
Luigi Boccherini (1743–1805): Guitar Quintet No. 4 in D major ‘Fandango’ G.448
A story through Argentinian Tango
10.00Pm - ST. FLANNAN’S CATHEDRAL, Killaloe
LATE NIGHT CONCERT - Karan Casey and Festival Friends
One of Ireland’s most celebrated folk artists on the international stage, Karan Casey comes to the Killaloe Music Festival for the first time to perform a range of Irish, folk, classical and jazz traditions.
Monday 2nd of June
4.00Pm - location tbd
ALL AGES EVENT - The Extraordinary Saga of Dr Darkpants
Actors, internationally recognised musicians, local artists and community ensembles will all be featured along the way of a whirlwind narrative journey.
