Advertisement

Portlaoise Jazz Festival back with a bang
News

Portlaoise Jazz Festival back with a bang

PORTLAOISE JAZZ FESTIVAL MAKES RETURN AFTER 30 YEARS

The historic Portlaoise Jazz Festival is back for the first time in almost 30 years, kicking off on Friday 30th of January until Sunday 1st of February 2026. The festival will take place across over 20 venues around the town with 40 acts taking to the stage over the 3 days. There will also be performances on the opening night in the Dunamaise Arts Centre. The theatre will also be hosting a not to be missed workshop by special guest, Conor Guilfoyle Octet, who will be running a FREE masterclass at 11am on Saturday 31st of January 2026.

The festival was founded in 1988 and ran successfully for several years before going on a break in the mid-90s. This year’s revival, led by a local volunteer committee, aims to bring live music back to the town’s streets, libraries, and pubs.

Eamonn Dunne, Dunamaise Arts Centre CEO Ciara O’Connell, Bob Batty, Dunamaise Arts Centre stafff member Georgina Carey and John Tynan

The festival opens on Friday evening, January 30th, with a headline performance by jazz guitarist Lee Meehan and his quartet at the Dunamaise Arts Centre.

Outside of the main stage, the weekend focuses on making music accessible throughout the town. Several free events are scheduled, including:

  • The Tenters Gypsy Jazz Band at Portlaoise Library (Friday 30th of January, 4:30 PM)
  • Indigo Mood Duo at the Dunamaise Mezzanine (Friday 30th of January, 6:30 PM)
  • The Jazz Trail: Free live sessions on Saturday and Sunday in local venues.
Festival Committee members: Eamonn Dunne, John Tynan and Bob Batty

“There has been talk about bringing the jazz festival back to Portlaoise for a long time,” said John Tynan, Festival Chairperson. “Many people still have great memories of the original events from thirty years ago. Our goal this year is simple: to put on a good weekend of music and get people back out into the town to enjoy it.”

The festival features a mix of traditional and contemporary styles, with performances from the Des Hopkins Dixieland Jazz Band, Square Pegs, and various local musicians.

John Tynan, Ciara O’Connell, Dunamaise Arts Centre CEO Bob Batty, Georgina Carey Dunamaise Arts Centre and Eamonn Dunne

Tickets and Access: The majority of the festival, including the “Jazz Trail” through the town’s pubs, is free to attend. Tickets for the Lee Meehan headline concert are priced at €19.50 and can be booked through the Dunamaise Arts Centre box office. For other individual ticketed events, please contact the venue directly. 

The main sponsor of the 2026 Portlaoise Jazz Festival is Cummins Motor Group. 

For the full schedule and list of participating venues, visit https://portlaoisejazzfest.ie/.