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Kinsale Beatles Festival Returns in 2026
We're Getting Back for 2026 - Jan 30th - Feb 1st 2026.
Following our acclaimed debut in 2025, we're delighted to confirm Kinsale Beatles Festival returns for the St Brigid's Bank Holiday 2026. Hosted by Tom Dunne, the line up includes Mark Lewisohn, Ray Connolly, Kenneth Womack and a host of other authors, academics and podcasters. Combined with some of the best musical acts from Ireland and Europe, The Kinsale Beatles Festival is a must for Beatles fans in 2026.
Ticket booking will open at the end of October. Early accommodation booking is advised!
Festival Highlights 2026
Tom Dunne Festival MC
Tom Dunne is an Irish broadcaster, musician, and passionate Beatles aficionado, known for his deep knowledge of music history and culture. As both a former band member and radio host, he brings a unique insider’s perspective to the band’s enduring legacy.
Ray Connolly
Friday 30/01/26 - 7pm at Lord Kingsale. Ray Connolly is an acclaimed British journalist, novelist, and screenwriter best known for his close coverage of The Beatles during the 1960s. A friend to John Lennon, he has written definitive works on the band, including Being John Lennon and The Ray Connolly Beatles Archive.
Dr Allison Bumstead
Sunday 01/02/2026 - 11.30am at Prim's Bookshop.
Dr. Allison Bumsted is a leading Beatles scholar whose research highlights the band’s impact on teen culture and fan communities. Her work, including TeenSet, Teen Fan Magazines, and Rock Journalism, explores how fan engagement shaped the Beatles’ enduring legacy.
Dr. Allison Bumsted is a leading Beatles scholar whose research highlights the band’s impact on teen culture and fan communities. Her work, including TeenSet, Teen Fan Magazines, and Rock Journalism, explores how fan engagement shaped the Beatles’ enduring legacy.
Mark Lewisohn
Saturday 31/01/26 - 5pm at Lord Kingsale. Mark Lewisohn is the world’s leading Beatles historian, renowned for his definitive research and meticulous storytelling. His landmark works — including Tune In and The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions — form the cornerstone of modern Beatles scholarship
Freda Kelly
Saturday 31/01/26 - 1.30pm at Lord Kingsale. Freda Kelly was The Beatles’ devoted secretary and the heart of their official fan club, working closely with the band throughout their rise to fame. With her Cork family roots, we're delighted to welcome Freda to Kinsale for this very special screening and interview.
Nothing is Real Pub Quiz
Saturday 31/01/26 - 8pm at Lord Kingsale. Renowned and learned podcasters Steven Cockcroft & Jason Carty return in 2026 to host an evening of fun, trivia and prizes in our first Kinsale Beatles Fest Pub Quiz
Kenneth Womack
Saturday 31/01/26 - 10am at Prim's Bookshop. Kenneth Womack is a leading Beatles scholar, author, and cultural historian whose work illuminates the band’s enduring creative legacy. His acclaimed books — including Solid State and Living the Beatles Legend on Mal Evans — explore the art, influence, and innovation behind their story.
Let it Be-atles
Saturday 31/01/26 - 10pm at The White Lady: Making a triumphant return in 2026, Let it Beatles brought the house down in 2025. Appearing in a double-header with the incredible Carlo Poddighe, our headline musical act of 2026 is not to be missed. Prizes for best fancy dress!
Carlo Poddighe
Saturday 31/01/26 - 9pm at White Lady. Having stolen the show in 2025 with his unbeliveable one-man act, Carlo Poddighe returns to Kinsale in our Saturday night headline slot at The White Lady. Don't miss this incredible talent - a splendid night is guaranteed for all!
1966 Walking Tour
Saturday 31/01/26 - 11.30am at Temperance Hall (Opposite Tourist Office). Join Kinsale Historial Barry Moloney and Liverpool Beatles Scholar Steve Bradley for a fascinating stroll through 1966 Beatles and Irish history. A sell-out event last year, tickets are limited so book early.
Panel Discussion
Sunday 01/02/26 - 3pm at Lord Kingsale. Our final speaking event of the weekend sees all our distinguished guests assemble for what is sure to be a lively, wide-ranging and fascinating conversation aross The Beatles universe. Speakers include Mark Lewisohn, Kenneth Womack, Ray Connolly, Tom Dunne and many more. Early booking is advised!
Joe Wisbey
Saturday 31/01/2026 - 11.30am at Prim's Bookshop. Join Beatles Books Podcaster Joe Wiseby for this fascinating overiew of the Beatles Canon as he sets out the best reads for Beatles fans who want to deepen their knowlege of the Fab Four.
Chris Floyd
Sunday 01/02/2026 - 2pm at Lord Kingsale. Chris Floyd is a celebrated British photographer known chiefly for his celebrity portraiture and reportage, beginning with the Britpop music scene in the 1990s. Chris talks to Steven Cockcroft on the design of The Beatles album covers and recounts some of his work with Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono.
Dr Richard Mills
Sunday 01/02/2026 - 10am at Prim's Bookshop. Irish-born Dr Richard Mills is an Associate Professor in English Literature and Popular Culture at St Mary’s University, London. He has published extensively on popular music, Irish literature and culture, film, fashion and British television. Mills is the author of The Beatles and Fandom: Sex, Death and Progressive Nostalgia (Bloomsbury 2019) and The Beatles and Black Music: Post-colonial Theory, Musicology and Remix Culture (Bloomsbury 2025).
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