Join us for the official opening event in the Whitewater Shopping Centre.

Come meet the team and learn about the exciting calendar of events in June Fest 2026.

Let’s get Quizzing!

Head to the Town Hall for a fun night of general knowledge and great craic hosted by the Newbridge Family Resource Centre with all funds being raised on their behalf.

Your chance to be crowned the June Fest 2026 Quiz Champions!

€40 per tables (for up to 4 people) - you can pay for your table in advance via the Family Resource Centre or pay in cash on the night.

For more information on the brilliant work of the Newbridge Family Resource Centre - https://www.newbridgefrc.ie/

Newbridge Festival of Dance is an amazing one-day dance festival celebrating all styles of dance and culture, and all abilities of dancers. Now in its third year, it has quickly become one of the highlights of June Fest with huge community engagement and involvement drawing large crowds to the Town Hall..

Generously sponsored by Life Credit Union

There will be dance demonstrations and classes taking place throughout the day in the Town Hall.

The full schedule of events will be listed here once confirmed and more details will also be provided on the Newbridge Festival of Dance Facebook page.

New participants and style of dance are always welcome so if you or your dance group would be interested in taking part in the 2026 Newbridge Festival of Dance please contact Caroline Morrisey on 086 6067947.

St. Mark’s School Duck Race

The Staff of St. Mark’s School return with their annual duck race fund-raiser on the Liffey at Linear Park.

Sponsor a duck and be in with a chance to win a prize. Live music from Music Generation Kildare.

Music by Music Generation Kildare

While the St Mark’s School Duck race is being staged on the River Liffey, Music Generation Kildare will be providing free musical entertainment beside the riverbank in the Linear Park.

Music Generation Kildare provides music performance opportunities and music classes throughout the county. Music Generation is a national partnership programme whose mission is to create inspiring experiences for children and young people through music with the aim to make sure that everyone, whatever their background, gets access to music tuition.

More information can be found here - https://www.musicgeneration.ie/

Music Generation Kildare is managed by Kildare Local Music Education Partnership, led by Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board in partnership with Kildare County Council and with support from Maynooth University Department of Music and Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Join us to hear the next generation of Rock, Pop and Jazz bands to come out of County Kildare.

These bands, which have come together through the Music Generation Kildare programme, meet across the year, developing their music experience.

This ‘Teen Spirit’ showcase is the final performance before they begin their summer festival performances across the country.

Join and you'll be able to say "I saw them when....." 

 Tickets will be free but will need to be pre-booked through the Riverbank website - a link will be provided once available.

DUST is the musical collaboration of songwriters Conor Mahony and Alan FitzGerald, who are often joined by guest musicians for recordings and live performances.

This June Fest concert will celebrate the launch of their new CD Strange Country, while also featuring a wider selection of their songs performed with invited collaborators.

Expect a distinctive take on Americana - gently “strangified” with touches of jazz and impressionist influence.

Guest musicians on the night will include Frankie Lane (The Fleadh Cowboys) and folk singer Peter Byrne.

Admission will be €10 to include a free copy of the new CD Strange Country - payment by cash or card on the evening.

Kindly sponsored by Life Credit Union

Park Life on Sunday May 31st celebrates the Liffey Linear Park, the beautiful jewel in Newbridge's crown.

There will be a day packed with gorgeous events that include yoga (10am-11am), an art class (11am-1pm), and Bands on The Bank (2pm-4pm) featuring music in the afternoon down by the ‘Watering Gates’.

More details of these events can be found in the What’s On section.

Sunday is also the official opening day of the Yarn Bomb which this year is themed - ‘10-Year Celebration’ to mark the 10th anniversary of this wonderful annual highlight of June Fest,  

Art in the Park - June Fest Art Class

Whether you're a budding enthusiast or an experienced artist, this painting session might be for you. Embrace the opportunity to unleash your inner artist in the beautiful outdoors of Liffey Linear Park (please note the event will be moved to Newbridge Town Hall in the event of bad weather).

Open to artists of all levels – from seasoned painters to beginners. Never painted before? Fear not! This is your chance to dive into the colourful world of art.

Our Special Guest Tutor Siobhan Conway, from “Along the way Studios”, will provide guidance and inspiration. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and meet like-minded artists. We look forward to seeing you there.

Hurry! There are only 15 spots available (there is a charge of €10 each to partly cover costs), and they must be reserved in advance. Bookings will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Get in early, as this wonderful opportunity will fill up fast.

Call Siobhan Conway to reserve your place on 087 2765440.

Art Class for Younger Artists

Join us for a magical morning of creativity!

As well as the painting session for adults, June Fest is also inviting 10 young artists to explore imagination through sketching, painting and creating using natural materials.

Led by artist and educator Emily-Beth McCormack, this is a free event for the younger artists in our community but only limited spots (10 spaces) are available so pre-booking is essential!

Call Emily-Beth to reserve a place on 083 8270000.

Join Ireland’s Midland Comic Convention - Celtic Con - in the Newbridge Town Hall on Bank Holiday Monday 1st June from 12pm to 5pm as part of Family Fun Day!

Enjoy a host of fun, interactive and exciting attractions - Comic Village, Artist Alley, Geek Market, Display Vehicles, Craft Stalls, Gaming Zone, Exhibitor and Artist Expo Area, Artist Showcase, Cosplay Contest, and lots more!

Celtic Con once again brings some of Ireland’s finest Comic and Children’s book talent to June Fest.

Showcasing Kildare’s finest local creative writers, artists and illustrators,

Cosplay and Fancy Dress welcome.

Come along and join in the fun!

The magnificent Irish National Stud & Gardens, featuring the Irish Racehorse Experience and the beautiful Japanese Gardens & St Fiachra’s Gardens, will be kindly offering a limited number of free admission tickets, only with pre-registration and only for admission on Tuesday 2nd. June.

Full details of how to acquire tickets will be published here and on our social media channels in May.

June Fest is extremely grateful to the Irish National Stud & Gardens for partnering with June Fest again this year and for opening up their beautiful facilities which will hopefully inspire some attendees to take out the exceptionally good value season tickets.

Full details of the wonderful Irish National Stud & Gardens can be found here - https://irishnationalstud.ie/

Join Frankie Boland and the Newbridge Local History Group on a historical walk through the old British Cavalry married quarters area, ‘The Barracks’, in Newbridge town centre. Spanning 200 years of facts and stories up to the present day.

Frankie will reminisce and tell some of the stories gathered and retold in his book (shown below) on one of the oldest residential areas in the town - 'From the Barrack Gate to The Watering Gates'.

The housing estate known as The Barracks is situated on Newbridge Main Street, behind the Garda Station and adjacent to St. Conleth’s GAA Park. The area was originally part of the British Garrison’s Married Quarters, hence the popular title.

Meet outside the Riverbank at 7.00pm for this Free Event.

June Fest race evening returns at the Curragh racecourse with an exciting 8-race card starting featuring the Sky Bet Race to the Ebor Premier Handicap.

As well as a great evening out at the races in the wonderful new Curragh grandstand opened in 2019, there will be plenty of entertainment off the track.

Ticket information can be found here

History Walk - Ramble Through Newbridge with Paul Cook

Meet outside the Riverbank Arts Centre at 3.00pm for a gentle 90-minute walk through Newbridge with local historian and writer Paul Cook.

Learn the stories behind the buildings and discover places that form part of Newbridge’s rich history.

Free Event

World Music Evening - Mohammad Syfkhan

Syrian musical maestro Mohammad Syfkan makes his Kildare debut in the beautiful and intimate environs of St Patrick's Church, Newbridge.. Tickets (€20 plus booking fee) can be purchased here.

Broken Record are delighted to be teaming up with Junefest to host what's sure to be an incredible evening of music in the intimate surrounds of St Patrick's Church in Newbridge.

Our special guest for the evening is the Syrian bouzouki magician Mohammad Syfkhan - his 2024 album 'I Am Kurdish' is an incredible piece of work and we couldn't think of a better person to showcase their talents in the incredible acoustics of the church.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful gig - purchase your ticket through this Eventbrite link.

MOHAMMAD SYFKHAN BIO

Born in North-Eastern Syria, near the Turkish Border, Mohammad Syfkhan began playing the bouzouki in 1981 while studying nursing. With the band he founded, he often played music at weddings and local festivals. In 2016, forced to flee Raqqa with his family, he found refuge in Ireland in Co. Leitrim. Music is a universal language, and Mohammad soon began playing at private parties and local concerts. His talent quickly stood out as he charmed local audiences as well as the Irish alternative folk scene. In early 2024, he released his first album ‘I Am Kurdish’ recorded in collaboration with Irish musicians. The album weaves together his many influences: folksongs and traditional music of the Middle East, the Mediterranean and North Africa. In light of the tragic events that have coloured his life, the Kurdish-Irish musician wishes to share a message of fraternity, love and peace.

June Fest ‘Give It A Go!’ Writing Workshops

at the Kildare Writing Centre

‍As part of June Fest 2026 and in the spirit of the festival’s mission to provide opportunities in the arts for the local community, Kildare Writing Centre will hold two free workshops on Saturday June 6th at the Centre in Athgarvan, Newbridge.

The morning workshop will be from 10am to 12pm with a break for refreshments.

‍The afternoon workshop will be from 2pm to 4pm with a break for refreshments.

Both workshops, facilitated by author and Centre Director, Pauline Clooney, will be introductions to writing and are suitable for writers wherever they are on their writing journey. Kildare Writing Centre particularly welcomes writers who have not attended courses or workshops here before.

These workshops are complimentary and as places are limited to 8 for each session, they will be filled on a first come basis.

‍Book your place:

June Fest Give it a Go writing workshop morning session

June Fest Give it a Go writing workshop afternoon session

‍ ‍

Wellness with Cecelia will offer a rejuvenating outdoor yoga session in the beautiful Liffey Linear Park. Bring your own yoga mat to this serene setting (beside the outdoor gym in the Strand section) and lose yourself in a gentle yet strong flow in time to music with Cecelia.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, this hour-long outdoor class is perfect for all levels. Connect with nature as you stretch, breathe, and find your inner peace.

While a free event, a €10 donation would be welcome as part of a fund-raiser for The Solas Centre Waterford in memory of Emer, a dear friend of Cecelia.

Please note photography may be used.

Daytime Disco

Get ready to groove at June Fest’s Daytime Disco

A FREE, family-friendly party at Grand Stretch (Dubh) with good vibes and great music.

Enjoy great DJ sets throughout the afternoon!                                                 

ART NIGHT - Creative Currents

Create & Connect!

Saturday 6th June from 6pm - 9pm at Newbridge Town Hall

Drop in to ‘Creative Currents’ for an evening of shared creativity at Newbridge Town Hall.

This wonderful FREE evening event offers a welcoming and supportive space to explore, experiment and bring people together through a number of hands-on, creative workshops provided by local artistic talent, all sharing the joy of creativity together.

Whether you are dipping a toe in for the first time, testing the waters or fully immersed, come on in - the water is fine!

Event Format & Schedule

The evening will feature a series of artist-led workshops running multiple times throughout the event. Sessions will operate on a loosely structured schedule, allowing flexibility depending on visitor numbers and engagement levels.

• Workshops will run on a first-come, first-served basis.

• A sign-up sheet will be available at the entrance where visitors can select a time slot for their chosen workshop.

• At full capacity, participants may need to wait for the next available session.

As this is the first time hosting an event of this scale and format, we appreciate patience and understanding as we navigate the flow of the evening.

Age Guidance & Safety

• Workshops are primarily aimed at participants aged 12 and over.

• Supervised children are welcome in the space.

• Some workshops involve sharp tools and art equipment, so younger participants must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

All facilitators will provide guidance on safe tool use throughout the sessions.

Workshops Hosted by the Collective

1. Expressive Drawing

An immersive and responsive drawing experience using recycled and reclaimed materials. This workshop invites participants to explore mark-making inspired by sound, music, and movement.

Participants are encouraged to:

• Experiment freely

• Embrace process over perfection

• Respond intuitively to sound and atmosphere

Visitors are welcome to bring unusual or recycled surfaces to draw on — old book pages, cardboard, packaging or any material that sparks curiosity.

Duration: Flexible
The length of this workshop will depend on participant numbers and engagement levels. Participants may stay and develop their work as long as space allows.

2. Perspective Drawing

Discover the fundamentals of perspective and learn how to create depth and structure in your drawings. This session will guide participants through:

• Identifying a focal point

• Establishing horizon lines

• Using vanishing points

• Building spaces around a chosen perspective

Using simple tools: pencil, ruler, and eraser - participants will create their own structured spatial drawing.

All materials will be provided. However, visitors are welcome to bring their own sketchbooks if preferred.

Duration: Approximately 30 minutes per session
Suitable for beginners and those wishing to refresh foundational drawing skills.

3. You Can Stick It

A playful and tactile exploration of decoupage and collage across both 2D and 3D surfaces. Participants will layer imagery, textures and materials using a variety of application techniques.

This workshop encourages:

• Creative experimentation

• Reimagining everyday materials

• Building layered compositions

Due to drying times for glue-based work, this workshop will run earlier in the evening. Participants creating wet-glue pieces will be able to collect their work later in the event once dried.

Duration: Approximately 40 minutes per session

All materials will be supplied.

Why Attend?

• Connect with local artists

• Try something new in a supportive environment

• Explore sustainable and recycled art practices

• Celebrate creativity within the Newbridge community

• Take home a piece of art you’ve created yourself

Creative Currents is more than an event — it’s an opportunity to gather, share ideas and celebrate the creative energy flowing through County Kildare.

We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of making, meeting, and celebrating art together.

The daytime vibes will roll on into the evening for the over 18’s at Grand Stretch (Dubh) in George’s Street, with sets from DJs playing throughout the evening, spinning everything from laid-back grooves to disco bangers.

This year the Kildare Yarn Bombers celebrate 10 years and invite you to Ireland's first Crochet Olympics!

Whether you're a Queen of the Hook or have never held yarn, there’s something for you. Enjoy a cozy Crochet Cafe, explore an inspiring exhibition of work, or pick up a new skill in our free classes. 

Olympic Games include Fastest Granny Square, 100 Chain Sprint, Crochet Toy Racing, Ball Of Wool Toss and a Blindfolded Crochet challenge! 

With plenty of fun and mischief for all ages, it’s going to be great craic!

This is a first not just for Newbridge but for Ireland - follow the Kildare Yarn Bombers on Facebook for more details!

Head down to Linear Park by the River Liffey to join Hazel Cahill from Pure and Simple Magickal Store for a deeply nurturing hour of sound and gong.

This free event is designed to cleanse your energy, calm the mind, and bring you back to centre.

June Fest 2026 Literary Event

Tickets (€10) can be purchased here for this exciting June Fest Literary Event which will also feature a pop up book shop provided by Woodbine Books.

‘Meet The Writers’here

Mary Linehan will be moderating a panel discussion among three of Kildare’s finest writers, John MacKenna, Ed O Loughlin and Martina Smith. You can expect to get insights into writing processes, pitfalls to avoid, the publishing world and what it mhere eans to call yourself a Kildare writer.

‘Short Story Competition Award Ceremony’

The winners of the National June Fest 2026 Short Story competition will be announced with an opportunity for the winning writer to read an extract from their story. John MacKenna who is this year’s adjudicator and will announce the winner and runner-up.

Mary Linehan

Mary Linehan trained in the Focus Theatre under the late Deirdre O'Connell. She has acted and directed in a number of Focus productions and Smashing Times Theatre Company (a company she co-founded), including a production of her own one woman show ' Bloomin Women'.  In 1994 Mary became Arts Officer for Co. Kildare. Projects undertaken during her tenure included the founding of the Bealtaine Arts Festival in Newbridge and the establishment of the Riverbank Arts Centre. Over the last number of years she has written and directed plays for children and young people with Kildare Youth Theatre, the most recent being ‘The Waiting Game ' in the Moat Club in 2015. In 2012, Mary was the Chair of the first June Fest.

John MacKenna

John MacKenna is the author of 26 books, the most recent being the novel The Lock-keeper's Wife (The Lilliput Press). He teaches creative writing at Maynooth University and The Hedge School on the Moone. He is a native of Castledermot.  

Ed O Loughlin

Ed O’Loughlin was born in Canada and grew up near Kildare Town, attending the De La Salle National School and St Joseph's Academy. Having studied English in Dublin, he became a newspaper reporter and foreign correspondent, covering Africa and the Middle East for, among others, The Irish Times, Sydney Morning Herald, Age of Melbourne, and the Independent of London. He has also reported from Ireland for the Economist and the New York Times. In 2009, after returning to Ireland, he published his first novel, Not Untrue and Not Unkind, which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Other works include Toploader (2011), Minds of Winter (2016), This Eden (2021) and The Last Good Funeral of the Year (2022), a memoir.

Martina Smith

Martina Smith is the imaginative force behind the Mrs Books series; ‘Mrs Books Saves the Library’ and ‘Mrs Books Saves Booktree’. Martina is committed to making reading joyful, accessible and central to every child’s creative journey. Her rich background as a theatre and screen actor, combined with her extensive career in education from pre-school to adult learning, gives her stories a unique blend of charm, rhythm, and heart. Martina has brought joy and inspiration to countless young readers, many of whom sparked the very ideas behind her delightful series.

June Fest National Short Story Competition

Deadline for entries is Tuesday 7 April

Word limit: 2,000
Closing date: Tuesday 7th April (midnight)
Entry fee: €10 per story - click here to pay

The competition invites writers aged 18+ from across Ireland to submit original, unpublished work in English. Open to all writers who are residents on the island of Ireland at the time of submission, the competition aims to celebrate the art of storytelling. The story, of 2000 words or fewer, can be on any subject. Translated work is not in the scope of this competition. Entrants may submit more than one entry. Once entered, no alterations can be made to the submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted but please notify us immediately should your work be accepted elsewhere.

Prizes

1st Prize

One week’s fully-catered week in residence at  Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig for the winning writer only (worth €490) - this does not include any travel costs.

The prize winner has to be over 18. As the centre is geared up for professional artists and published writers, artists and writers in residence are here on their own and family or partners are not accommodated. The centre is in a rural location without televisions.

Artists and writers typically work in their rooms or studios during the day and the artists gather for dinner each evening at 7pm, a routine designed around artists' work schedules.

2nd Prize

A workshop of your choice at the Kildare Writing Centre.

Award Ceremony

All ten shortlisted writers will be asked to attend the June Fest Literary event in the Riverbank on Sunday June 7th, 2026. The winner and runner-up will be announced at this evening event (see June Fest programme for more details) and they will be invited to read an extract from the winning story.

 2026 Judge

John MacKenna - John is the author of twenty-six books—novels, short-stories, memoir, biography and poetry. He has also written a number of stage and radio plays and is a frequent contributor to RTE Radio 1. He is a winner of the Hennessy New Writing Award, the Irish Times Fiction Award and the Cecil Day Lewis Literary Award; his novel The Space Between Us was shortlisted for the Kerry Book of the Year Award. He was recently nominated for the position of Irish Fiction Laureate. His latest book, The Lock-Keeper’s Wife, published by Lilliput Press, was launched in February 2026.

Competition guidelines

1. The award is open to all writers aged 18+ who are resident on the island of Ireland at the time of submission.

2. Entries must not have been, by the date of submission, published or broadcast in any medium.

3. Stories submitted to other publications and competitions are acceptable. If your story is accepted elsewhere, you must inform June Fest immediately by email to junefestcompetition@gmail.com and your entry will be withdrawn.

4. Entries must be typed, in font size 12pt, black, double-spaced, and single side (A4), and number your pages.

5. The maximum word count for entries is 2,000 words.

6. Please submit your Word document by email to junefestcompetition@gmail.com.

7. To ensure anonymity, please do not write your name or any other personal details on the manuscript. See Submission details below.

8. The cover letter should be on a separate page to ensure anonymity. See Submission details below.

9. Your entry must be accompanied by a €10 fee. The proceeds of the competition cover prize administration.

10. Payment can be made via PayPal (there is the option to use credit/debit card also) – click here to pay. Payment will NOT be accepted via cash or cheque.

11. Stories generated by AI will not be accepted. Non-fiction, essays, memoirs, graphic novels, or poetry will not be accepted.

12. The decision of the adjudicator is final. No editorial feedback can be provided on stories.

13. A shortlist of ten entrants will be notified by May 8th, 2026.

14. The judge will not engage in any correspondence regarding their decision.

15. Members of the 2026 June Fest Organising Committee are not eligible to enter the short story competition.

16. Stories cannot be altered or substituted after entry.

17. By entering the competition, you are accepting the rules of the competition.

18. The copyright remains the author’s but each author, in submitting their stories, consents to June Fest publishing online and in print, or otherwise broadcasting, short-listed stories.

Submission Details

Send to: junefestcompetition@gmail.com
Subject: JFSS entry - Name of Short Story

Attachment 1: the story for submission (Word – we cannot accept PDFs or weblinks such as Google Drive). As the competition is judged anonymously, we request that you do not write your name or personal details anywhere on this document.

Attachment 2: cover letter (separate text document (Word – we cannot accept PDFs or weblinks such as Google Drive) attached to the same email, not in the body of the email). The cover letter should include:

• Your name

• Story title

• Email address

• Email associated with your PayPal account (if different from your contact email address)

• Phone number

• Postal address

• Image of PayPal receipt or the PayPal transaction ID number

• How your heard about the competition

• A brief bio (optional)

Payment of the €10 entry fee can be made here only (available during submission period). PayPal will deduct the fee in your own currency.