Westport Festival of Chamber Music

Name: Westport Festival of Chamber Music
Start: 2026-09-10
End: 2026-09-13
Location: Westport

The Westport Festival of Chamber Music is a four-day event in Westport, Ireland, scheduled from Thursday, September 10 to Sunday, September 13, 2026. This boutique festival features international and Irish performers presenting chamber music, contemporary works, and world premieres across various intimate venues in Westport, including the Town Hall Theatre, Holy Trinity Church, and Westport Woods Hotel.

Date: Sep 10-13, 2026
Location: Westport

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Event summary

Highlights

World premiere of David Bruce’s 'States of Glory'
Free Saturday Balcony Concert at Westport Town Hall Theatre
Performances by international and Irish musicians
Blend of classical, romantic, and contemporary music

The Westport Festival of Chamber Music returns to County Mayo from September 10 to 13, 2026, continuing its role in the town's cultural life since 2013. Artistic director Catherine Leonard oversees a program designed for intimate and atmospheric settings, featuring performances at Westport Town Hall Theatre, Holy Trinity Church, and Westport Woods Hotel. The festival is noted for fostering musical intimacy through collaboration among musicians who rehearse together in Westport before their public performances.

The 2026 lineup includes acclaimed musicians such as the Doric String Quartet, Jose Franch-Ballester, and Stephen Waarts. The repertoire spans classical masters like Brahms, Schubert, and Mozart, with a particular focus on rarely heard 19th-century French and Belgian Romantic music, alongside contemporary pieces. A significant highlight is the world premiere of David Bruce’s “States of Glory,” a new work for clarinet, marimba, and cello, commissioned by Chamber Music City and supported by the festival.

Beyond ticketed concerts, the festival offers several free public events aimed at integrating music into the town. These include the popular free Saturday Balcony Concert at the Westport Town Hall Theatre, a solo piano recital by Ai Lin Sun, a late-night concert blending jazz, classical, and traditional Irish music, and a free lecture exploring the history of the clarinet. The festival receives funding from The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and support from Mayo County Council, Destination Westport, and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.

Practical details

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.