The historic Portlaoise Jazz Festival is back for the first time in almost 30 years, kicking off on Friday, January 30, until Sunday, February 1.
The festival will take place across over 20 venues around the town with 40 acts including Des Hopkins Dixieland Jazz band to Square Pegs and various local musicians taking to the stage over the 3 days featuring a mix of traditional and contemporary styles.
The festival opens on Friday evening, January 30. The Dunamaise Arts Centre will be showcasing some of the opening night performances with a headline performance by jazz guitarist Lee Meehan and his quartet.
The theatre will also be hosting a not-to-be missed workshop by special guest, Conor Guilfoyle Octet, who will be running a FREE masterclass at 11am on Saturday, January 31.
The festival was founded in 1988 and ran successfully for several years before going on a break in the mid-90s.
Cummins Motor Group is the main sponsor of the 2026 Portlaoise Jazz Festival.
This year’s revival, led by a local volunteer committee, aims to bring live music back to the town’s streets, libraries, and pubs.
“There has been talk about bringing the jazz festival back to Portlaoise for a long time,” said John Tynan, Festival Chairperson.
“Many people still have great memories of the original events from thirty years ago. Our goal this year is simple: to put on a good weekend of music and get people back out into the town to enjoy it.”
Outside of the main stage, the weekend focuses on making music accessible throughout the town. Several free events are scheduled, including:
- The Tenters Gypsy Jazz Band: Performing at Portlaoise Library (Friday, January 30 4:30 PM)
- Indigo Mood Duo: Performing at the Dunamaise Mezzanine (Friday, January 30, 6:30 PM)
- The Jazz Trail: Free live sessions on Saturday and Sunday in local venues.
Most of the festival, including the “Jazz Trail” through the town’s pubs, will be free to attend.
Tickets for the Lee Meehan headline concert are priced at €19.50 and can be booked through the Dunamaise Arts Centre box office.
For other individual ticketed events, please contact the venue directly.
For the full schedule and list of participating venues see below:
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
- Portlaoise Library – Tenters at 4.30pm
- Dunamaise Mezzanine – Indigo Mood at 6.30pm
- Dunamaise Arts Centre – Lee Meehan at 8pm
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
- Portlaoise Library – St. Joseph’s Accordion Band at 10.30 am (OUTSIDE)
- Laois Music Centre – Workshops at 11.30am. Conor Guilfoyle at 3pm
- Bergins Bar – Karl Clews at 10pm
- Delaneys & Shellys – Urban Mojo Blues at 10pm
- Debrun’s @ Humes – Powernap at 10pm
- Jermiah Grant – Bossa Nua at 10pm
- Kavannagh’s Venue – Des Hopkins at 6pm. Square Pegs at 10pm.
- Maggie Mays – Moon Rockers at 10pm
- Mixer/Coppers Venue – Quadrivium at 11.45pm
- O’Gormans – Dobrzanska Band at 9pm
- Ramsbottoms – Room Shakers at 10pm
- Sally Gardens – 8 Bit Funk at 10pm
- Square Bar – Anita Malzone Trio at 10pm
- Vibe Bar – Brackbeats DJ at 10pm
- Welcome Inn – Indigo Mood at 10pm
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
- Ballykilcavan Brewery – Yuzuha O’Halloran at 4pm
- Bergins Bar – Big Spoon at 7pm. Indigo Mood at 10pm
- Delaneys & Shellys – Tiny Crimes at 10pm
- Debrun’s @ Humes – Dobrzanska Band at 10pm
- Jermiah Grant – Niamh & Eamonn at 8.30pm
- Kavannagh’s Venue – Hothouse Big Band at 9.30pm
- Liam Casey’s – Annette Joy at 10pm
- Maggie Mays – Urban Mojo Blues at 10pm
- Mixer/Coppers Venue – Brackbeats DJ at 11.45pm
- O’Gormans – Blue Moon at 9pm
- Peig’s Bar – Lea Trio at 7pm
- Ramsbottoms – Secret Jazz Band at 10pm
- Sally Gardens – Faster Shorter Louder at 10pm
- Welcome Inn – Jazz Jam Allstars at 9pm
- Killeshin Hotel – Indigo Moon at 2pm
SEE ALSO – Portlaoise bids farewell to Billy Rowan, founder of Reliable House Furnishers
