Jazz at Johnstown Festival
June 26 - June 28
The biggest outdoor jazz festival in the South East, Jazz at Johnstown, returns to Johnstown Castle in the last weekend of June.
The programme includes two evening concerts, (June 26 and June 27), featuring two super-groups of national and international talent. Details to be announced in early May.
Meanwhile, over 30 musicians will descend upon Johnstown Castle for our all day programme of live jazz on Saturday and Sunday, across a multiple of stages including the Ballroom in the Castle, the Courtyard, the Cart Room and Jazz on the café terrace.
Many of Ireland’s best jazz musicians have confirmed their appearance at the Jazz at Johnstown Festival, including Kasia Eliasz, Gustavo De Morais, Terry Byrne, Imelda Kehoe, Dominic Mullan, Dave Redmond, Darragh Hennessey, John Keogh, Matthew O’Connell, Richard King, Kevin Lawlor, Leon Buckley, Dave Jones, John Moriarty, Chris Colloton, Sharon Clancy, Luke Dunford, Lorcan Byrne and many more.
Come celebrate the power of jazz in one of Ireland’s most breathtaking settings. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the scene, Jazz at Johnstown 2026 promises unforgettable music, atmosphere, and artistry.
The programme for the 2026 Jazz at Johnstown Festival, June 26, 27 and 28, will feature over 35 of the best jazz musicians living in Ireland. Our headliner evening acts this year are the Kevin Lawlor Quartet (The Magic of Coltrane) on June 26 at 8 p.m., and the Sharon Clancy Quintet (The Summer of Love) on June 27 at 8 p.m.
FRIDAY JUNE 26:
(Visitors Centre, 8 p.m. Ticketed Event)
For this unique Jazz at Johnstown concert, Kevin Lawlor is joined by Leon Buckley on tenor saxophone, Andrew Csibi on double bass and, from Wales, the great pianist Dave Jones.
SATURDAY JUNE 27:
(Ballroom /Johnstown Castle, Noon.)
Tiny Crimes celebrate the small band swing music era of the late 30s and early 40s.The members are Richard King and Des Mc Hugh on guitars, Graham Lloyd on bass, Bob Batty on Saxophone and Clarinet, and Fran Dowling on drums
(Visitor’s Centre, Jazz on the Grass, 1 p.m.)
The Chris Colloton Organ Trio led by Wexford contemporary guitarist Chris Colloton, and featuring Luke Dunford (Chief Keegan, Bin Chicken) on organ and Lorcan Byrne (Basciville) on drums.
(Cart Room, 2.15 p.m.)
Legendary Wexford pianist Terry Byrne returns to Jazz at Johnstown after his solo debut at the Ballroom in 2025: expect magic in the incredible acoustics of the Cart Room.
(Courtyard, 3.10 p.m.)
After a sold out run at Dublin’s GMT jazz club, guitarist Dylan Tonge-Jones brings his trio to Johnstown Castle for an exciting set of his newest compositions, with Cormac O’Brien on double bass and Brendan Doherty on drums
(Visitors Centre, Jazz on the Grass, 4.00 p.m.)
Bossa Nua is a tribute to the timeless beauty of classic Bossa Nova. Featuring vocals, Katherine Miller; guitar, Fergal Twomey; clarinet, – Brian Lav; double bass, Graham Lloyd; saxophone, Bob Batty and drums and percussion, Keith Doyle
(Visitors Centre, 8 p.m. Ticketed Event)
Jazz at Johnstown Festival is revisiting the mythical magic of The Summer of Love with a specially assembled quintet of vocalist Sharon Clancy, guitarist Chris Colloton, pianist Greg Semla, drummer Matt Richards and bassist Dave Mooney.
SUNDAY, JUNE 28:
(Ballroom /Johnstown Castle, Noon)
Featuring Darragh Hennessy on piano, Dave Redmond on bass and Dominic Mullan on drums, this piano trio presents a tribute to legendary bassist Ray Brown. The concert focuses on music associated with Brown’s long career, drawing from the classic piano trio tradition and the swing era repertoire he helped define.
(Visitors Centre, Jazz on the Grass, 1 p.m.)
The John Moriarty Organ Trio brings together celebrated guitarist John Moriarty with two of the most in-demand players on the Irish jazz scene: Scott Flanigan on Hammond organ and drummer Kevin Brady.
(Courtyard, 2.15 p.m.)
Faster Shorter Louder is a new Dublin-based trio featuring Matthias Winkler (guitar), Derek Whyte (double bass) and Hugh Denman (drums). Expect jazz fireworks.
(Cart Room, 3.10 p.m.)
John Keogh and Matthew O’ Connell are delighted to return to Johnstown Castle for their third festival. This year their set will feature their original compositions and intricate arrangements of some popular classics by Jeff Buckley, Michael Jackson and Miles Davis
(Visitors Centre, 4.00 p.m.)
Three musicians, one songbook. Brazilian guitarist Gustavo de Morais, Polish singer Kasia Eliasz and Irish saxophonist and flautist Hayley Kavanagh play the music of Antônio Carlos Jobim.