2026 Féile Na Gréine to Showcase Best of Ireland’s Underground Music Scene in Limerick

Limerick’s annual the 2026 Féile Na Gréine festival will return this August with more than 40 artists across eight venues

More than 40 artists to perform across eight venues as 2026 Féile Na Gréine returns with new commissions, anniversary celebrations and a programme championing independent Irish talent

Limerick’s annual the 2026 Féile Na Gréine festival will return this August with a packed programme of live music, experimental performances and special events that organisers say will shine a spotlight on the strength of Ireland’s underground music scene.

Taking place from August 14 to 16, 2026 Féile Na Gréine will once again transform Limerick City into a trail of live performances, with audiences moving between arts spaces, underground clubs, breweries and street parties to experience one of the country’s most distinctive celebrations of independent music.

More than 40 artists will perform across eight venues, with this year’s programme bringing together established independent acts alongside emerging performers from across Ireland. Organisers say the 2026 lineup has been carefully curated to demonstrate the creativity and diversity of the country’s grassroots music community while offering audiences performances that are “completely out of the ordinary.”

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Among the headline acts is indie duo Lemoncello, who arrive in Limerick following the release of their acclaimed new album Perfect Place. They will be joined by post-punk outfit Shark School, folk singer-songwriter Rua Rí, and rising Limerick rapper DATQIDEXCEL, alongside dozens of other artists representing a wide range of genres.

The festival will open on Friday evening with the premiere of a newly commissioned work by acclaimed experimental Limerick composer Áine O’Dwyer. Created especially for Féile Na Gréine, the performance will take place in the historic surroundings of Redemptorist Church, providing an atmospheric setting for the opening event.

The festival’s experimental strand, STARLING, also returns this year with a programme featuring Seán Being’s Car Musick, August Kirwin, and Dan Callanan & Jonathan Deasy. The series has become a regular feature of Féile Na Gréine, presenting artists whose work explores the boundaries between music, sound art and performance.

Another highlight of this year’s festival will see long-time collaborators Ormston House celebrate their 15th anniversary with a specially curated programme of performances by Dylan Kerr & Weston Olencki, Linda Buckley, and Neil Ó Lochlainn’s Tlú Lín. The event will take place on the exact anniversary of Ormston House’s first exhibition, marking a significant milestone for one of Limerick’s leading contemporary arts organisations.

Since its establishment, Féile Na Gréine has developed into one of Ireland’s best-known showcases for emerging and independent musicians. Run by a collective of musicians, designers, photographers and other creative practitioners, the organisation has built a national reputation for supporting new artists while remaining firmly rooted in the values of DIY culture, grassroots collaboration and inclusivity.

Over the years, its activities have expanded beyond live events to include filmmaking and publications, reflecting a broader commitment to supporting creative practice throughout the year. Despite its growth, the festival has retained the independent ethos that has defined it since its inception.

Festival organisers believe this year’s edition reflects the strength of Ireland’s independent music scene and the growing importance of Limerick as a centre for artistic innovation. By bringing together local artists with performers from across the country, Féile Na Gréine continues to provide a platform for new music while encouraging audiences to discover artists they may not encounter elsewhere.

Féile Na Gréine is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Limerick City and County Council.