The free family event celebrating the life & legacy of Luke Kelly returns to Dublin for its third year this May.

Saturday, May 24

The Luke Kelly Stage

• 1:00–2:00 PM – Remembering Ronnie: Actor and singer Phelim Drew recounts the songs and stories of his father—balladeer, performer, and Dubliner—Ronnie Drew.
• 3:00–3:30 PM – Stephen Dunne: Son of the great Pecker Dunne, Stephen Dunne sings from the Traveller tradition, including the songs made famous by Luke and the Dubliners.
• 3:30–4:00 PM – Aoife Scott: Dublin singer Aoife Scott performs folk songs from the Hibernian Metropolis and beyond.
• 5:00–6:00 PM – The Luke Kelly Songbook w/ Imelda May, Declan O’Rourke & Róisín Chambers: Some of Ireland’s finest folk singers pay tribute to Luke Kelly, performing his best-known and most-loved songs, featuring Imelda May, Declan O’Rourke & Róisín Chambers

O’Donoghue’s Tent

• 12:00–1:00 PM – Ballad Session w/ Hank Byrne & Friends
• 2:00–3:00 PM – Ballad Session w/ Hank Byrne & Friends
• 4:00–5:00 PM – Ballad Session w/ Hank Byrne & Friends

Arts and Crafts Tent

• 12:00–1:00 PM & 4:00–6:00 PM – Collaborative Banjo Workshop: Decorate Luke Kelly’s Long Neck Banjo! Engaging in messy play, we will use colourful tissue paper and PVA glue to make this the most beautiful banjo the world has ever seen! Once decorated, you can even play this gigantic banjo. Suitable for all ages!
• 12:00–1:00 PM – Luke Kelly Mask Making Workshop: Make a mask of Luke Kelly using paper plates, paint sticks, ribbon, and lollipop sticks. Choose from red, orange, and ginger wool to give your mask a vibrant head of hair and Beard! Suitable for all ages.
• 2:00–3:00 PM – The Rare Auld Times – Newspaper Drawing & Colouring: Make your own newspaper! Become the number one editor of The Rare Auld Times through drawing, writing, and colouring. Once you’ve finished your front page, contribute to the A0 communal newspaper displayed throughout the festival. Suitable for all ages.
• 4:00–5:00 PM – Musical Instrument Workshop – Bottlecap Clackers & Castanets: Follow the beat of Dirty Old Town with your own handmade clackers and castanets! Using recycled bottlecaps, cardboard, and a little glue, we’ll craft our own instruments and play along. Suitable for ages 9+.Younger kids will need an adult to help.

Luke Kelly Legacy Phone Booth

• 12:00–6:00 PM – Step inside a reimagined phone booth and share your own memories, songs, or stories of Luke Kelly. This living tribute captures the voice of the people, celebrating Luke’s lasting impact on everyday lives.

The Bailey

• 12:00–1:00 PM – Banjo Demonstration: Banjo expert Pat Kelleher leads a demonstration on Luke’s unique banjo style, plus a chance to see the rare model of Merlin banjo from The Dubliners heyday.
• 2:00–3:00 PM – The Ballad Boom: O'Donoghue’s and Beyond: Aoife Barry sits down with historian Donal Fallon and singers Anne Buckley and Jerry O’Reilly to recall Merrion Row’s bohemian stronghold and the highs and lows of Dublin’s ballad boom.
• 4:00–5:00 PM – Dermot Bolger in conversation with John Faulkner: Dermot Bolger chats with folk legend John Faulkner about his musical life, his partnership with Dolores Keane, his memories of Luke and the Dubliners, and his new memoir Storm in My Heart: A Lifetime in Music.

The Centre Half

• 12:00–6:00 PM – Football Workshops, Games & 1v1 Matches: Inspired by Luke’s love of The Beautiful Game, join coaches from Bohemians FC to test your soccer skills and earn a Luke Kelly Festival medal.
• 12:00–6:00 PM – Luke Kelly Crazy Golf, Family fun: Fancy a bit of friendly competition? Try your hand at Luke Kelly Crazy Golf—fun for all ages and skill levels!

Sunday, May 25

The Luke Kelly Stage

• 1:00–2:00 PM – Barney McKenna Tribute: Banjo players Gerry O’Connor and Kieran Hanrahan lead a feast of banjo playing in memory of Banjo Barney from Donnycarney. Plus special guests.
• 3:00–4:00 PM – Madra Salach: Rising folk stars Madra Salach perform a blend of traditional and original songs.
• 5:00–6:00 PM – The Luke Kelly Songbook w/ Seán McKenna, Frances Black & Piaras Ó Lorcáin: Some of Ireland’s finest folk singers pay tribute to Luke Kelly, performing his best-known and most-loved songs, featuring Seán McKenna (ex-The Mary Wallopers), Frances Black & Piaras Ó Lorcáin.

The O’Donoghue’s Tent

• 12:00–1:00 PM – Ballad Session w/ Hank Byrne & Friends
• 2:00–3:00 PM – Ballad Session w/ Hank Byrne & Friends
• 4:00–5:00 PM – Ballad Session w/ Hank Byrne & Friends

Arts and Crafts Tent

• 12:00–1:00 PM & 4:00–6:00 PM – Collaborative Banjo Workshop: Decorate Luke Kelly’s Long Neck Banjo! Engaging in messy play, we will use colourful tissue paper and PVA glue to make this the most beautiful banjo the world has ever seen! Once decorated, you can even play this gigantic banjo. Suitable for all ages!
• 12:00–1:00 PM – Luke Kelly Mask Making Workshop: Make a mask of Luke Kelly using paper plates, paint sticks, ribbon, and lollipop sticks. Choose from red, orange, and ginger wool to give your mask a vibrant head of hair and Beard! Suitable for all ages.
• 2:00–3:00 PM – The Rare Auld Times – Newspaper Drawing & Colouring: Make your own newspaper! Become the number one editor of The Rare Auld Times through drawing, writing, and colouring. Once you’ve finished your front page, contribute to the A0 communal newspaper displayed throughout the festival. Suitable for all ages.
• 4:00–5:00 PM – Musical Instrument Workshop – Bottlecap Clackers & Castanets: Follow the beat of Dirty Old Town with your own handmade clackers and castanets! Using recycled bottlecaps, cardboard, and a little glue, we’ll craft our own instruments and play along. Suitable for ages 9+.Younger kids will need an adult to help.

Luke Kelly Legacy Phone Booth

• 12:00–6:00 PM – Step inside a reimagined phone booth and share your own memories, songs, or stories of Luke Kelly. This living tribute captures the voice of the people, celebrating Luke’s lasting impact on everyday lives.

The Bailey

• 12:00–1:00 PM – Kids Ballad Singalong: Let your little ones join in a chorus or two with a special kids ballad session led by Catherine Anne Cullen and Imogen Gunner.
• 2:00–3:00 PM – Dirty Old Town: Luke Kelly and Ewan MacColl: Historian Donal Fallon is joined by journalist Ronan Burtenshaw and English folk legend Sandra Kerr to explore Luke’s relationship with the great Ewan MacColl — the mercurial songwriter and mentor behind some of Luke’s most beloved songs.
• 4:00–5:00 PM – The Rent Woman by Brendan Behan: Playwright Jimmy Murphy debuts a reading of Brendan Behan’s lost play The Rent Woman, starring Neili Conroy, Sarah Morris, and Maeve Fitzgerald. Plus Q&A with Jimmy Murphy and Dermot Bolger.

The Centre Half

• 10:45am – 1:15pm – Football for All: Celebrate inclusion, fun, and the beautiful game at the Luke Kelly Football for All Festival! Head to Smithfield Astro Football Pitch on Mary’s Lane to cheer on eight fantastic teams as children of all abilities come together in the spirit of friendship, sport, and community.
• 12:00–6:00 PM – Football Workshops, Games & 1v1 Matches: Inspired by Luke’s love of The Beautiful Game, join coaches from Bohemians FC to test your soccer skills and earn a Luke Kelly Festival medal.
• 12:00–6:00 PM – Luke Kelly Crazy Golf, Family fun: Fancy a bit of friendly competition? Try your hand at Luke Kelly Crazy Golf—fun for all ages and skill levels!

#DCCLukeKellyFestival