Winner of the IMRO Best Small Live Music Festival 2014 award!

Since 1998, The Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival has attracted some of the finest names in the Americana canon on the May Bank Holiday weekend. From midday to midnight audiences wind their way through the medieval streets sampling the huge range of music in the 30 plus venues, hosting over 30 acts from Ireland, USA, Canada, UK and Sweden, with over 80 ticketed and free shows.

There’s a mixture of old and new acts on the free pub gig trail and all styles will be catered for, from swing to bluegrass, rockabilly to cajun, folk and the blues.

2016 Kilkenny Roots Festival Line Up

Join us at Pembroke Kilkenny where we will be hosting the following gigs:

Saturday 30th April, 2pm, €5 Willy Vlautin in Conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea

Saturday 30th April, 10pm, Free Minnie & The Illywhackers

Sunday 1st May, 10pm, Free The Blood Red Mountain Band

Statham’s Bar & Restaurant will be serving light bites, dinner & special offers all weekend. Try a 8 oz Stack Burger & Chips with a bottle of Costello’s Red Beer for €15 or our Sharing Platter for Two & Costello’s Red for €20. Perfect to keep you going between gigs!