The Boyne Music Festival is set to return this summer, bringing four days of music, art, film and cultural events to some of the Boyne Valley’s most historic locations.
Running from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26, this year’s festival is themed Forgotten Spaces and will invite audiences to explore historic venues in Drogheda, Slane and beyond through a programme of live performances, exhibitions, talks and workshops.
This year’s festival, themed Forgotten Spaces, invites audiences to step into some of Ireland’s most atmospheric historic locations and rediscover them through music, poetry, film, visual art and conversation. While the festival takes place in beautifully preserved historic venues, its theme shines a light on the buildings that have been left to decay, their stories gradually fading from both the landscape and our collective memory.
Founded in 2013 by twin sisters Aisling and Julie-Anne Manning, alongside their cousin Deirdre Brenner, the Boyne Music Festival has become a much-loved summer tradition in Ireland’s cultural calendar. Known for its intimate settings and world-class performances, the festival once again brings together outstanding Irish and international artists including violist Paul Cassidy and cellist Jacqueline Thomas from the internationally acclaimed Brodsky Quartet, Ulster Orchestra leader Iona Petcu-Colan and mezzo-soprano, Lotte Betts-Dean, alongside emerging voices for 2026.
Across four days, audiences can look forward to a rich and varied programme unfolding in Townley Hall, Slane Castle, and St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, Drogheda, each space offering its own unique atmosphere and sense of discovery.
Highlights include the opening concert Echoes at Slane Castle, featuring chamber music, poetry and song alongside the music of U2 and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence. At St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, the concert Foundations explores musical structure through works by Schubert, Elgar and Sollima.
Beyond the concert hall, the festival brings the theme to life through a screening of Philip Denvir’s award-winning documentary Leave Only Footprints, followed by discussion on dereliction and urban exploration, as well as a photography exhibition of abandoned spaces in Ireland by Irishmanlost.
Participatory events include a poetry writing workshop with Kate Wakeling at Townley Hall and a performance workshop for amateur string players, offering the chance to play alongside festival musicians. Family events, talks and tours complete the weekend programme.
The full programme is available at boynemusicfestival.com.
