The free family event celebrating the life and legacy of Luke Kelly returns to Dublin for its third year this May.
Luke Kelly fans far and wide will be overjoyed to hear that the hugely successful Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival will make its return to Dublin’s Smithfield Square for two jam-packed days celebrating the one and only Luke Kelly through fantastic music and singalong sessions, lively discussion, family-friendly Arts & Crafts, inclusive sports activities and lots more! Some of Ireland’s most popular performers, including those who knew Luke Kelly best, will unite once again over the course of the weekend to bring guests some very special performances featuring the much-loved music of Luke Kelly & The Dubliners.
A stellar lineup will take to the Main Stage for the ‘Luke Kelly Songbook’, featuring Imelda May, Frances Black, Declan O’Rourke and Sean McKenna. Audiences can expect top-notch performances from musician and actor Phelim Drew and folk artist Aoife Scott, while Banjo players Kieran Hanrahan and Gerry O’Connor will lead a tribute to Barney McKenna, with Dublin Folk Group Madra Salach also on hand to perform a selection of folk favourites.
Over at The Bailey Tent, a full programme has been thoughtfully curated for those looking to learn a little more about the legend of Luke Kelly through the medium of discussion and workshops. Historian and Podcaster Donal Fallon (Three Castles Burning) will be leading some fascinating events on a variety of topics, including an interview with journalist Ronan Burtenshaw and folk singer Sandra Kerr on Luke’s musical mentor Ewan MacColl.
Meanwhile, award-winning novelist Dermot Bolger will host Dublin playwright Jimmy Murphy and a cast of Neili Conroy, Sarah Morris and Meave Fitzgerald for a special reading of Brendan Behan’s lost play The Rent Woman.
The O’Donoghue’s Tent plays host to the lively Luke Kelly Sing-Song over both days, featuring a host of talented singers and musicians, while a fine array of Family-Friendly Arts & Crafts include a wide variety of interactive activities designed to reflect Luke’s creative spirit.
From a collaborative banjo workshop to Luke Kelly mask making, newspaper colouring and a workshop creating musical instruments from everyday items, there’s sure to be something to suit all ages and interests. In addition, those who share Luke’s passion for the beautiful game are encouraged to get involved with some of the football focused activities happening at The Centre-Half, as the sporting element of this year’s festival sees participation from a number of the city’s Football for All groups.
Sunday May 25th sees the Football for All Festival taking place on the all-weather pitch beside the Smithfield Fruit Market between 11am and 1pm. The FAI’s Football for All programme is made up of players from all groups and sporting bodies that cater for people with a disability who want to play football. Run in conjunction with the DDSL’s Football for All programme, the participants will include Sheriff YC who are from the area where Luke was born.
Other highlights include Dublin City Council Luke Kelly Festival Crazy Golf and the Luke Kelly Legacy Stories where fans, friends and family of Luke Kelly are invited to share their very own memories of Luke via a specially commissioned and adapted retro phonebox!
Smithfield Square | Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 May 2025 |12pm – 6pm.
For further information and updates, see dublin.ie/lukekelly
#DCCLukeKellyFestival
