A guide to the sessions of Féile na Sionainne 2026

The session trail for Féile na Sionainne will feature five days of music, performance and community events taking place from today, Wednesday, July 29, to Sunday, August 2.

Local landmark premises like The Coosan Tavern, The Dog and Duck Pub (Ballykeeran), McNeill's Bar and Walsh's Bar (both Connacht Street), and Sean's Bar (Main Street, Athlone) will play to an impressive series of performers throughout those dates, with both days culminating with highly anticipated stage events at Athlone Castle later in the evening.

Inclusive events make up part of a packed schedule for the festival on Friday, July 31.

A series of Anam Music Therapy Sessions will take place in The Sensory Room at Athlone Library. A session for 6- to 12-year-olds will take place from 10.30am to 11.15pm, followed by a session for 13- to 17-year-olds from 11.45am to 12.30pm. Pre-booking is essential for this free event. Tel: 090 6442157 or email athlib@westmeathcoco.ie. Children and teenagers must be accompanied by an adult or carer.

An Inclusive Trad Disco will take place from 2.30pm to 4pm in St. Kieran’s Community Centre. This fun inclusive dance experience for adults with disabilities, their friends and families is led by Louise O’Connor. Pre-booking is essential for this free event. Tel: (087) 7832689 or email: info@louise.ie.

An Age Friendly Session will take place at Magico Bakery at 11am. Led by Carol Ripley and friends, it is an open session for young and old.

On Saturday, August 1, The Canopy will host a full programme of music and performance, beginning at 12pm with the Athlone Comhaltas Junior and Senior Group. This will be followed by Cumann Phádraig Mhic Phiarais Grúpa Traidisiúnta at 12.30pm, Tom Donelon & Friends at 1pm, and the Sarah Clogher School of Irish Dance at 1.30pm.

The Tang Fiddle Club, Tanglewood and Tangled Web will perform at 2pm, followed by Jimmy Cleary & the Coosan Cobblers at 3pm, Liam Winnett and Stephen Heffernan at 3.30pm, Austin Coffey agus na Sionnaigh at 4pm, and Toucan Soup at 4.30pm.

That evening, live music will continue at the back of Athlone Castle, beginning at 8pm with the Athlone GAA Scór Group. These young musicians came together for the opening of the Athlone GAA clubhouse bar, where they performed for Jarlath Burns, current president of the GAA. The group features Sachin Sundaraesan, Harry Cunningham, L Kelly, Eleanor Cunningham, Thomas and Rose Walsh.

At 8.30pm, Vinegar Bill will take the stage. This popular five-piece folk and traditional music group from Knockcroghery, County Roscommon, is known for their close sibling harmonies, lively performances, and a blend of contemporary ballads and traditional Irish tunes.

On Sunday, August 2, The Canopy programme begins at 12.45pm with the Athlone Pipe Band marching from Ss Peter & Paul Church to The Canopy. Performances continue with All That Jazz at 1.30pm, the winners of the busking competition at 2pm, and the Blossom Harp Ensemble at 2.30pm.

The Reynolds Academy of Irish Dance takes the stage at 3pm, followed by Ceol Chonaill at 3.30pm, Luan Academy at 4pm, the Low Road Session Group from the Dog & Duck at 4.30pm, and the Féile Committee and Friends at 5pm.

Later that evening, live music will return at the back of Athlone Castle. Jim Byrne and Friends will perform at 6pm, bringing the best of trad and folk with a distinct Planxty-inspired sound, featuring bouzouki, guitar and much-loved songs.

At 7.30pm, D’Bize will return to the Féile stage with Neil Fitzgibbon, Yvonne Bolton and Paddy Morgan, offering a vibrant contemporary trad sound with a modern folk twist.

A series of children and youth events will also be taking place regularly throughout the festival, which runs jointly alongside the the popular Athlone River Festival (July 31 to August 2).

Music Generation Roscommon & Westmeath will host a 'try an instrument' event on Thursday, July 30, from 11am to 1pm in Athlone Library. It offers the opportunity to chat with musician educators and try out some instruments. Various instruments will be available, including the uilleann pipes, banjo, button accordion, fiddle, concertina, harp, bodhrán. This event is free of charge and open to everyone.

A Children’s Session will also be held on Thursday from 5pm to 7pm at The Shamrock Lodge Hotel. This free event invites participants for a few tunes in a relaxed and friendly environment. After some tunes, there will be a ‘trisco’, a Trad Disco. It doesn’t matter if you are a complete beginner or are playing a few years, there is a tune in everyone.

The Youth Open Mic Session will follow on Thursday evening, at 7pm in The Lough Ree Inn. This is a new event for Féile and is open to all genres of music. This event is for teenagers with the aim of giving these young musicians a platform to perform in a relaxed and encouraging environment.

On Friday, July 31, award-shortlisted author James Hannon, creator of the Ballinacrack Chronicles series, will host a fast-paced storytelling workshop in Athlone Library from 2pm. The children will work together to create a hilarious new adventure. Expect unexpected heros, ridiculous plot twists and plenty of laughs as every child helps shape the story. Suitable for ages 9 to 12.

Later that day, renowned button accordion player and All-Ireland winner Niamh Brett will lead a youth session at 6pm in the Sheraton Hotel. The youth session is aimed at teenagers who have a couple of years’ experience playing tunes.

Finally, on Sunday, August 2, a busking competition will take place from 12pm to 1.30pm at The Canopy and Athlone Town Centre. Participants will then be brought to their designated spot in Athlone Town Centre. The adjudication will take place between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

The winners will be announced at 2pm at the canopy. There will be prizes for the winners as well as a performance slot at the canopy.