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KW26 Kavanagh Weekend 2026
Kavanagh Weekend 2026 brings Beat poetry, Jazz and international counterculture to Inniskeen County Monaghan
The Patrick Kavanagh Centre in association with the Patrick Kavanagh Society, SoFFt Productions and Unreal Cities are delighted to announce Kavanagh Weekend 2026 will take place over three days between Friday Sept 25th and Sunday Sept 27th.
Curated by Unreal Cities, the multidisciplinary arts project founded by actor and director Adrian Dunbar and saxophonist and composer Nick Roth, this year’s festival explores Patrick Kavanagh’s connection with the Beat Generation during the centenary year of American poet Allen Ginsberg’s birth.
The three-day programme will place Kavanagh’s work in dialogue with jazz, spoken word, folk traditions, spirituality and counterculture. Featured performers and participants include legendary American poet Anne Waldman, comedian and broadcaster Tommy Tiernan, actor Jean-Marc Barr, musician and performer Jinx Lennon, novelist and playwright Liz Nugent, The Armagh Rhymers and The Master Musicians of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar.
Check out our full programme below. For more information about this years festival go here.
Ticket Information
TICKETS ON SALE NOW. FOR OTHER EVENTS PLEASE CHECK OUT THE FULL PROGRAMME BELOW FOR TICKET LINKS
TOMMY TIERNAN (Sat)
FESTIVAL LAUNCH (KEYNOTE ADDRESS, POETRY AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT) (Fri)
KAVANAGH AND THE BEATS CONCERT (Fri)
BREHON LORE (Sat)
KYRIE FOR KAVANAGH (Sun)
VICTORIA KENNEFICK IN CONVERSATION WITH LIZ NUGENT (Sun)
Tickets can be purchased online, or directly from our Box Office in the Patrick Kavanagh Centre. Contact us by phone on 042 9378560.
Over the course of the weekend check out the exhibition of work entitled ‘Candle of Vision’ by Dara Vallely (Armagh Rhymers), in the Round Tower Church. Dara will be in conversation with Réamonn Ó Ciaráin CEO of Gael Linn and Chairman of Aonach Macha on Sunday 12.30pm in the Round Tower Church as part of the inaugural Book Fair.
This year’s Kavanagh Weekend festival is produced by the Patrick Kavanagh Centre in collaboration with SoFFt Productions and in association with the Patrick Kavanagh Society. The festival is supported by the Arts Council through their Festival Investment Fund, by the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, Creative Monaghan and Monaghan County Council.
The Programme for 2026
Friday 25th
Festival launch and opening night concert
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7pm
Opening Event in Inniskeen’s Round Tower Church. Featuring annual keynote address and announcement of the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award winner for 2026.
Booking and Info -
9.15
Procession of Light with Armagh Rhymers through the village of Inniskeen.
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9.45
Kavanagh and The Beats late night concert curated by Unreal Cities.
Booking and Info
Saturday 26th
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9.30am
Howl, Jazz, Buddha, blues, A beat poetry workshop with Karl Parkinson, Round Tower Church
Booking and Info -
9.30am
Love’s Doorway to Life. A poetry masterclass with Nell Regan, Patrick Kavanagh Centre and Shancoduff.
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12pm
Kavanagh Poetry Award readings and Book Launch, Round Tower Church
Booking and Info -
2pm
Brehon Lore, Brehon Brewhouse, Killany
Booking and Info -
3pm
Rocky Road to Dublin and making of documentary, Patrick Kavanagh Centre
Booking and Info -
8pm
Tommy Tiernan in Conversation with Anne Waldman & Unreal Cities, Patrick Kavanagh Centre
Booking and Info -
From 9.30pm
Live music session at McNellos, Inniskeen, produced by The Cobblestone.
Booking and Info
Sunday 27th
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9.30am
Howl, Jazz, Buddha, blues, A beat poetry workshop with Karl Parkinson, Round Tower Church
Booking and Info -
9.30am
Love’s Doorway to Life. A poetry workshop with Nell Regan, Patrick Kavanagh Centre and Shancoduff. Suitable for all levels.
Booking and Info -
12pm
Book Fair. Featuring live performance, conversation and books, Round Tower Church.
Booking and Info -
3pm
Annual Graveside Commemoration
Booking and Info -
4pm
Conversation between Poet Victoria Kenniefick and author Liz Nugent, Patrick Kavanagh Centre
Booking and Info
