Donegal’s premier summer event, Earagail Arts Festival (10th - 25th July) has unveiled its full programme for 2026.
With a family-orientated, participatory and engaging programme from the Gaeltacht islands off the West Donegal coast to East Donegal and the Inishowen peninsula, and Donegal Town, Earagail Arts Festival has something for all ages and backgrounds.
The festival features an expanded programme of circus, street arts performances and workshops in Letterkenny, Gaoth Dobhair and, for the very first time, Lifford and Donegal Town.
In light of the continuing cost-of living crisis, the festival continues to keep its prices as low as possible and offers discounts when it can!
An award-winning circus production by Los Galindos, MDR – Death from Laughter is a darkly comic and chaotic exploration of friendship, guilt and absurdity, performed with physical theatre and circus storytelling at the Old Courthouse in Lifford. Photo Credit Mireia Guilella.
Be sure to keep an eye out on discounts throughout the programme including the family prices (Only €30 for a Family of 5) for the circus shows in Gaoth Dobhair and Letterkenny.
The shows and artists include MDR – Death from Laughter – A creation by Los Galindos (Lifford, Old Courthouse), Funny Business starring Fraser Hooper (Gartan, Glebe House & Gallery), Fanzini Brothers – Risky Business (Dunlewey, Ionad Coise Locha), MDME Kakapo & Son and (The Diamond, Donegal Town).
Fraser Hooper will also host an All-Ages Clown Workshop in the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny on Saturday 18th July.
Guaranteed giggles galore from internationally award-winning funnyman Fraser Hooper at Glebe Gallery & Gardens in Gartan, Churchill.
Earagail Arts Festival presents a stellar line-up of music, from international acts Noura Mint Seymali (Mauritania), Gwenno (Wales), Daniel Patrick & Whitt Algar (USA), Màiri MacMillan (Scotland), well-known Irish artists such as Inni-K, Ruth McGinley, Piaras Ó Lorcáin, David Geraghty, The Maurice Lennon Trio, Paddy Glackin, Brigid Mae Power, The Byrne Brothers, Steve Cooney and homegrown talent, including George Houston, Neil Burns, Marty Smyth, Patrick McMenamin and Doimnic Mac Ghiolla Bhríde, Noeleen Ní Cholla, Diane Cannon, Tanya McCole, Ó hEaráin and The Henry Girls.
Acclaimed Charleston bluegrass duo Daniel Patrick & Whitt Algar bring their acclaimed acoustic sound to Donegal as part of a three-date Earagail Arts Festival tour blending tradition and modern Americana.
The festival line-up features a host of theatre, dance and spoken word events with highlights including third year of The Journals Fleadh in Rathmullan and LetterkennyUbuntu Trekkers, BIG CHEEKS and Samuel Yakura in Glenveagh and the Summer Heritage Tour of Inishowen with Neil McGrory & Lorna Henry, free contemporary dances performances on Gola Island by Ériu/Na Mic Ua gCorra, Rob Heaslip and Mateusz “Matt” Szczerek, Distillation by Luke Casserly, and The Human Library® in Letterkenny.
Earagail Arts Festival is delighted to be working with RAMP - Rathmullan Music Project and Irish Aerial Dance Fest which will also present an exciting line-up of events in July.
As well as fantastic live events the festival also showcases an extensive visual arts programme, working with Artlink Fort Dunree, Donegal County Museum, An Gailearaí, Glebe Gallery, and Regional Cultural Centre. The visual arts programme will showcase the work of both established and emerging artists from Ireland and beyond.
Visit eaf.ie for more information and bookings.
Earagail Arts Festival is kindly supported by Donegal County Council, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Wild Atlantic Way.