Another standout year for world-class Mayo festival

WESTPORT Festival of Chamber Music is celebrating a hugely successful 2026 edition, following a packed weekend of music across the town.

Opening on Thursday, the festival brought together leading Irish and international musicians for performances at Westport Town Hall Theatre, Holy Trinity Church and Westport Woods Hotel, drawing audiences to an ambitious programme of chamber music, solo recitals, contemporary work and special events.

This year’s festival featured Diana Ketler, José Franch-Ballester, Jakob Koranyi, Hélène Clément, Nuala McKenna, Patrick Rafter, Fiachra Garvey, Ai Lin Sun, Ji Hye Jung and Stephen Waarts.

One of the major highlights of the weekend was David Bruce’s States of Glory for clarinet, marimba and cello, performed by José Franch-Ballester, Ji Hye Jung and Nuala McKenna. The work was commissioned by Chamber Music City in the United States and supported by Westport Festival of Chamber Music.

Saturday brought one of the busiest days of the festival, beginning with a solo recital from young Irish pianist Ai Lin Sun. Later in the day, the free Concert from the Balcony brought music out into the heart of Westport, with Patrick Rafter, Fiachra Garvey and Hélène Clément performing from Westport Town Hall Theatre.

The evening continued with the Festival Performers concert before Saturday drew to a close with a late-night performance blending jazz, classical and traditional Irish music.

Across the weekend, the festival has once again shown the strength of its connection with Westport, bringing musicians, audiences and visitors together in venues throughout the town while creating the intimate atmosphere that has become central to the festival.

Artistic director Catherine Leonard said: “Above all, I’ve been deeply moved by the outstanding performances at this year’s festival, but also by the generosity of the musicians and their willingness to go above and beyond to make it such a special experience. There is something wonderful about witnessing that shared experience between musicians and audiences, seeing people share stories, form new friendships and make connections that go far beyond the music itself.

“The music is the spark and the catalyst for all of that. I think we crave these kinds of shared experiences more than ever in the modern world, and that is why it is so important that we keep creating them.”