Get Digging this Bank Holiday Weekend - Kilkenny Roots Festival 2025!
- Julia Labedz
- 8 hours ago
- 5 min read
It's back! The famous Kilkenny Roots Festival returns from the 2nd-5th of May 2025 to deliver some seriously good music, in seriously good company. Here's everything you need to know!
Since 1998, Kilkenny Roots Festival has attracted some of the finest names in the Americana/Roots canon, including Calexico, Giant Sand, Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell, Alejandro Escovedo, Guy Clark, Chuck Prophet, Ray LaMontagne, Richmond Fontaine, Rodney Crowell, Phosphorescent, Sturgill Simpson and Alabama Shakes.
Audiences can expect to wind their way through the streets sampling the huge range of music in the 30 plus venues, hosting over 40 Irish and international acts, with over 90 ticketed and free shows from early afternoon until late into the night.
There’s a mixture of old and new acts on the free pub gig trail and all styles are catered for, from swing to bluegrass, rockabilly to cajun, folk, blues and beyond!
What's On
There is seriously plenty to see and do at this years Kilkenny Roots Festival - here's just a taste!
Saturday 3rd May
Steven Wynn
Location: Ryan’s
In 25 years, Wynn has released at least that many albums and has seen over 300 of his songs recorded. He has played over 2000 shows in more than 25 countries. His songs have been recorded and/or performed by REM, Luna, Concrete Blonde, The Black Crowes, Yo La Tengo and Eleventh Dream Day, among others; his “That’s Why I Wear Black” became the #1 single of 1993 in Norway as the leadoff track from the debut album by Somebody’s Darling. He has been prominently featured in Rolling Stone, Mojo, Uncut, Entertainment Weekly, People, The Los Angeles Times, New York Times and countless other publications all over the world.
Tickets €20 + booking fee
Sunday 4th May
The Delines
Location: The Set Theatre
The Delines will make a welcome return on May 4th 2025 in support of their 4th album, released February 2025. This will be The Delines only Irish date next year.
Willy Vlautin has been a regular visitor to Kilkenny since his first visit in 2004 with his band Richmond Fontaine. In recent years he has played here with hisnew project The Delines featuring the exquisite vocals of Amy Boone.
€35 + booking fee
Steven Wynn
Location: Billy Byrnes Bar
In 25 years, Wynn has released at least that many albums and has seen over 300 of his songs recorded. He has played over 2000 shows in more than 25 countries. His songs have been recorded and/or performed by REM, Luna, Concrete Blonde, The Black Crowes, Yo La Tengo and Eleventh Dream Day, among others; his “That’s Why I Wear Black” became the #1 single of 1993 in Norway as the leadoff track from the debut album by Somebody’s Darling. He has been prominently featured in Rolling Stone, Mojo, Uncut, Entertainment Weekly, People, The Los Angeles Times, New York Times and countless other publications all over the world.
€20 + booking fee
And so, so much more! Visit kilkennyroots.com for the full lineup.
Music Trails
Both free and paid performances will be on during the festival, meaning you can enjoy some tunes even on a budget. The Kilkenny Roots Festival has music trails on daily! Check out the packed schedule below.
Friday 2nd May
Time | Artist | Venue | Price |
5.00pm | WOOL COLLECTIVE | Smithwick's Experience | Free |
7.00pm | Arborist | Billy Byrne's | €20 |
8.00pm | RUAH | Christy's | Free |
8.30pm | JOHN WALLACE & THE NOTIONS (showcase gig) | Ryan's Bar | Free |
8.45pm | Jerron Paxton | Watergate Theatre | €30 |
9.00pm | THE SAVAGE JIM BREEN | Syd Harkin's | Free |
10.00pm | BEN REEL | Paris Texas | Free |
10.00pm | LEAF RAPIDS | Billy Byrne's | Free |
10.00pm | JACK GRACE | Ryan's Bar | Free |
10.00pm | BENCH WARRANT | The The Pumphouse | Free |
10.00pm | LINCOLN SKINS | Lenehan's | Free |
10.00pm | LOUDEST WHISPER | The Kilford Arms | Free |
10.30pm | The PINSETTERS | The Left Bank | Free |
10.45pm | Jenny Don't & The Spurs | Cleeres Bar & Theatre | €20 |
Saturday 3rd May
Time | Artist | Venue | Price |
1.00pm | Jenny Don't & The Spurs | Cleeres Bar & Theatre | €20 |
3.00pm | Jim Lauderdale | Watergate Theatre | €30 |
3.00pm | Chimers | Billy Byrnes | €20 |
3.00pm | FOUL PLAY | Ryan's Bar | Free |
4.00pm | FENTON & THE PHANTOMS | The Front Room | Free |
4.00pm | TWO TIME POLKA | The Left Bank | Free |
5.00pm | Steve Wynn | Ryans Bar | €20 |
5.00pm | BEN REEL | Langton's | Free |
5.00pm | OUR MAN IN THE FIELD | Smithwick's Experience | Free |
5.00pm | MAFIA CATS | Christy's | Free |
5.00pm | LEAF RAPIDS | Langton's | Free |
5.00pm | RAGLAN ROAD | Lanigan's | Free |
6.00pm | ELAINE PALMER | Syd Harkin's | Free |
6.15pm | BLUES ARK | Ryan's Bar | Free |
6.30pm | Lizzie No | Billy Byrnes | €20 |
7.00pm | Freddy Trujillo/Cory Gray | Cleeres Bar & Theatre | €20 |
7.00pm | Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band | Kytelers | €25 |
8.30PM | MAFIA CATS | Ryan's Bar | Free |
9.00pm | The Courettes | Set Theatre | €25 |
9.00pm | NO COMMITMENTS | The Playwright | Free |
9.30pm | BARRY McCORMACK & JOHN HEGARTY | Bollard's | Free |
10.00pm | LOUDEST WHISPER | O'Gorman's | Free |
10.00pm | THE SAVAGE JIM BREEN | Rafter's Gastro Bar | Free |
10.00pm | RUAH | The Marble City | Free |
10.00pm | THE DONNYS | Paris Texas | Free |
10.00pm | ELAINE PALMER | The Clubhouse Hotel | Free |
10.00pm | JACK GRACE | ThePumphouse | Free |
11.00pm | FENTON AND THE PHANTOMS | Kyteler's Inn | Free |
10.00pm | TWO TIME POLKA | Billy Byrne's | Free |
11.00pm | REMAINS | Ryan's Bar | Free |
12.00pm | FESTIVAL FAVOURITES VINYL DJ SET WITH EDEL | Billy Byrne's | Free |
Sunday 4th May
Time | Artist | Venue | Price |
1.00pm | The Breeze | Billy Byrnes | €20 |
1.00 pm | Andrew Combs | Ryans Bar | €20 |
2.30pm | OUR MAN IN THE FIELD | Ryan's Bar | Free |
3.00pm | The Delines | Set Theatre | €35 |
4.00pm | THE COMMON GOOD | The Left Bank | Free |
4.30pm | LUTHER RUSSELL IN-STORE | Rollercoaster Records | Free |
4.00pm | HIDDEN HIGHWAYS | Lenehan's | Free |
4.00pm | JACK GRACE | The Front Room | Free |
4.00pm | DELTA DOGS | Lanigan's | Free |
5.00pm | Lizzie No | Cleeres Bar & Theatre | €20 |
5.00pm | BEN REEL | Langton's | Free |
5.00pm | LEAF RAPIDS | Smithwick's Experience | Free |
5.30pm | FENTON & THE PHANTOMS | Ryan's Bar | Free |
6.00pm | Steve Wynn | Billy Byrnes | €20 |
8.00 pm | Freemans Country Carvery + Guests | Kytelers Inn | €15 |
8.00pm | RAGLAN RODEO | Christy's | Free |
8.00pm | BENCH WARRANT | Ryan's Bar | Free |
9.00pm | UNCLE LARRY | The Playwright | Free |
10.00pm | Jesse Malin | Set Theatre | €35 |
10.00pm | HIDDEN HIGHWAYS | Bollard's | Free |
10.00pm | MAFIA CATS | Billy Byrne's | Free |
10.00pm | JACK GRACE | The Clubhouse Hotel | Free |
10.00pm | DELTA DOGS | The Pumphouse | Free |
10.00pm | LOUDEST WHISPER | Syd Harkin's | Free |
10.00pm | THE NEEDABLES | Rafter's Gastro Bar | Free |
10.00pm | LEAF RAPIDS | Pembroke Hotel | Free |
10.00pm | OUR MAN IN THE FIELD | Cleeres Bar & Theatre | Free |
10.00pm | MAFIA CATS | Billy Byrne's | Free |
11.00pm | BEN REEL | Ryan's Bar | Free |
12.00pm | FESTIVAL FAVOURITES VINYL DJ SET WITH EDEL | Billy Byrne's | Free |
Monday 5th May
Time | Artist | Venue | Price |
2.00pm | The Breeze | Ryans Bar | €20 |
3.00pm | Ben De La Cour | Cleeres Bar & Theatre | €20 |
3.00pm | LOUDEST WHISPER | Ormonde Hotel | Free |
4.00pm | DEEP DOWN DETOX | Ryan's Bar | Free |
5.00pm | Andrew Combs | Billy Byrnes | €20 |
7.00pm | THE BARFLIES | Ryan's Bar | Free |
9.00pm | Carsie Blanton | Kytelers Inn | €25 |
Additional Information
The festival will take place across multiple different venues in Kilkenny. For exact locations for gigs, visit kilkennyroots.com.
Most events are free, but other gigs range in price from €10 to €35. For more information and to book, visit kilkennyroots.com.
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