Saturday 30 May
So Much to See....
So Much is Free with a Wristband
An Méid Sin le Feiceáil....
An Méid Sin Saor in Aisce le Banda Láimhe
Need help? Visit the Information Point in the Aistear
Note: A free shuttle runs from Mountshannon entrance (Catholic Church) to the village centre at peak times on Saturday and Sunday.
Visual Art
Various venues 11 to 6pm
Exhibitions unfold across Mountshannon, presenting a rich selection of painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass and multimedia work as part of the Festival’s FLIGHT theme.
For the Children
Various Venues
Facepainting with Kerry, Mime with A Box, Storytelling with Niall de Búrca, Art table… See what we have to entertain young art lovers.
Saul Forged
Forge 9.30 to 2pm
Artisan blacksmith working in the beautiful Lyons forge in Mountshannon, a 270-year-old forge still owned by the same family to this day, Reece has been focusing on traditional blacksmithing, by hand and without electricity, for three years, with a keen interest in biological sculpture, jewellery and traditional workman's tool making
Workshop
Masterclass with Colm Keegan
An Cupán Café, 10 to 12pm
Join poet Colm Keegan, an accomplished mentor and facilitator for an interactive masterclass. Focusing on close reading, sound and shape, to sharpen your skills and deepen your engagement with form. Prebooking is essential as spaces are limited. €22/ €20 with wristband
Introduction to Foraging Walk and Talk
Entry Arch to Aistear, 10.30am
Join forager Olwyn Williams for a plant identification walk around the park to learn what wild weeds are edible. Learn basic identification traits, non-edible look-alikes, plant habitats, best seasons to eat them, and discuss food and medicinal uses. Tasters of wild food preparations will be available after the walk. No foraging experience necessary, suitable for ages 10yrs+. Free with wristband.
Community Market
Aistear Park 11 to 5.30pm
The market is rolling out a fabulous two-day extravaganza at this year's Festival! Picture a treasure trove of stalls offering everything from pottery to plants, rings to rugs, along with delicious food and drinks. Visit the clothes swap, the games tent, the alpacas and so much more.
Kayak Taster Session
Harbour 11 to 3pm
East Clare Paddlers will be offering kayaking taster sessions in Mountshannon Harbour. This is a unique opportunity to experience Lough Derg and see Mountshannon from a different perspective! €5 with WB
Belongings with Lisa Joyce
Aistear 11 to 5.30pm
All are warmly invited to visit Belongings, an exhibition sharing the stories of people who have made a home in County Clare. In the years ahead, migration will become an ever more present part of our social landscape - bringing both enrichment and challenge… Free
Dress Up Tent
Aistear 11 to 2pm
Discover a scintillating selection of vibrant and unique clothes designed to help you express your inner self and make yourselves savagely sassy. Free with wristband
Birchwood Sauna
Harbour 11 to 3pm
Whether you're starting your day with a peaceful moment or winding down after a day of festival fun, the Birchwood Sauna promises a rejuvenating experience for body and mind. €20/ €15 WB
Pop-up Gaeltacht
Anita’s 11 to 1pm
Tá Pop-up Gaeltacht ar siúl i dTigh Anita i lár Bhaile Uí Bheoláin, Dé Sathairn 30 Bealtaine idir 11am - 1pm. Buail isteach chugainn don chomhrá agus don chomhluadar. Fáilte romhat! Free
Words in Flight
Aistear 12.30pm (at the mural)
Collaborative project for the 30th Mountshannon Arts Festival that brings together spoken word, community creativity and mural art. Free
Credit Rich Gilligan
Opening of the Galleries
Starting at Words in Flight in the Aistear at the mural
Curator and Arts Educator Patricia Moriarty will officially open Mountshannon Arts Galleries 2026 at 12.30pm
Galleries are open Saturday to Monday. Free
Taking Flight
Anita’s 2pm
In association with Poetry Ireland. This promises to be an exciting showcase of spoken word poetry by a veteran of the scene and a next generation poet: Colm Keegan and Lavie Olupona. €10/ €8 with wristband.
Workshop
Body Beats - Dance
Aistear park 2pm
Body Beats is an energetic and interactive workshop where people discover how rhythm lives inside their own bodies. Free with wristband.
Workshop
Smartphone Photo workshop
An Cupán Café 3 to 5pm
Unlock Your Smartphone's Potential - and let's have a look at AI!
Visual artist CE Kraemer will guide you through the essentials of photography with your smartphone - from framing and lighting to simple yet powerful editing techniques…. Free with wristband.
Music in the Marquee
Aistear 3 to 7.15pm
Amazing line-up for this Saturday: Anthony Rooney, Fán, Mykology, Denise Chaila, Leon Hayes, The Pocket Jazz Orchestra. Free with wristband.
The Sky is Not Enough
Anita’s 4pm
June O'Sullivan's novel The Sky Is Not Enough is based on a real Irish woman, Sophie Peirce Evans, who became globally famous in 1928 after an epic, record-making solo flight from Cape Town to London. Free with wristband.
Earl Okin
Hall 8pm
Earl Okin celebrates his Diamond Jubilee, this year.
60 years in music.
€18/ €15 with wristband (incules a glass of wine)