Kilmore’s streets won’t echo with the sound of bagpipes and bodhráns again this winter, as the Kilmore Celtic Festival will not return in 2025.
The festival, began in 1997 and very soon became one of the region’s favourite events, drawing crowds from across the state and beyond. Each June, the event honoured the town’s rich Celtic heritage, celebrating in music, dance, and traditions.
Over its 26 year run, the Festival brought the community together with lively street parades, music, dance, traditional workshops, and an atmosphere of warmth and welcome.
Sadly, the festival faced mounting challenges in recent years. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the 2020 and 2012 festivals cancelled and a dwindling pool of volunteers led to its cancellation in 2024. Hopes of a revival in 2025 have now officially been dashed.
In a statement issued last year, organisers cited burnout among key committee members adding to the difficulty of sustaining such a large-scale event without broader community support.
One of the Festival’s main organisers, Dianne Le Quiniat, described the past 26 years as a wonderful journey.
“But the reality is we can’t keep it going without more hands on deck and with this in mind we are hoping to regroup later this year,” she said.
The announcement has been met with disappointment but also fond reflection. Many who attended over the years remember the festival as a highlight for families with Celtic roots and music lovers who returned year after year.
Despite the pause, or possible end, of the event, its legacy remains strong. The Kilmore Celtic Festival didn’t just celebrate the past; it created memories that will live on in the town’s cultural identity.
Whether the pipes will one day play again in Kilmore remains to be seen, but for now it is slán go fóill, farewell for now.
