RTÉ Supporting the Arts is supporting 15 cultural events nationwide this August

RTÉ Supporting the Arts is delighted to spotlight a diverse range of arts, culture and heritage events taking place across Ireland this August. From major festivals and theatrical premieres to exhibitions, concerts and family-friendly celebrations, audiences nationwide are invited to experience the richness and diversity of Ireland’s cultural landscape throughout the month.

National Heritage Week returns with hundreds of events taking place across Ireland, encouraging people of all ages to explore and celebrate the country’s rich natural, built and cultural heritage. Through guided tours, exhibitions, talks, workshops and community initiatives, Heritage Week continues to foster a deeper appreciation of Ireland’s shared history and traditions.

August brings a number of exciting productions to the Abbey Theatre. Highlights include Ulster American, starring Matthew Broderick, running on the Abbey Stage from 12 to 22 August 2026, a sharp satirical comedy exploring identity, privilege and power. Later in the month, Mirandolina, Marina Carr’s adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s La Locandiera, opens on 28 August, marking its Irish premiere as part of an international co-production.

Kilkenny Arts Festival returns this August with an ambitious multidisciplinary programme featuring music, theatre, literature, visual arts and performance. Widely regarded as one of Ireland’s premier arts festivals, it attracts leading Irish and international artists while transforming the city into a vibrant cultural hub.

Waterford Walls Festival once again transforms Waterford City into a vibrant outdoor gallery, bringing together local and international artists to create striking murals and public artworks. Alongside the large-scale visual art programme, visitors can enjoy workshops, talks, tours and live events celebrating creativity in the public realm.

The Gate Theatre in Dublin presents The Brightening Air, the latest work by acclaimed playwright Conor McPherson. One of Ireland’s most celebrated contemporary dramatists, McPherson is renowned for his powerful storytelling and compelling explorations of family, identity and human connection.

August Craft Month returns with a nationwide programme celebrating Ireland’s vibrant craft sector through exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, open studios and special events. The annual initiative provides opportunities for the public to engage directly with makers and craftspeople while exploring contemporary and traditional craft practices across the country.

Music lovers can enjoy performances by The Esker Festival Orchestra and Choir in Galway and Dublin. Bringing together some of Ireland’s finest young professional musicians alongside leading established performers, the festival has become an important fixture in the classical music calendar, showcasing ambitious repertoire in inspiring settings.

In Limerick, the Hunt Museum presents Our, Óir, Ore: Four Millennia of Limerick Silver and Gold, an exhibition exploring the region’s rich relationship with precious metals through thousands of years of craftsmanship, trade and artistic achievement. The exhibition offers visitors a unique insight into Limerick’s cultural and industrial heritage.

The atmospheric surroundings of Wicklow provide the setting for Ancient Music Festival – Music in the Forest 2026. Combining the beauty of the natural landscape with performances inspired by early and traditional music, the festival offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience music in an immersive outdoor environment.

National Concert Hall Classical Season 2026/2027 launches this August, featuring performances by leading orchestras, ensembles, conductors and soloists. The season demonstrates the Hall’s ongoing commitment to presenting world-class classical music and supporting musical excellence in Ireland.

IFI Family Festival returns to Dublin with a packed programme designed to inspire young audiences through the magic of cinema. Featuring screenings, workshops and interactive events, the festival offers families the opportunity to discover outstanding films from Ireland and around the world.

At the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), Work is the curse of the drinking classes invites audiences to engage with literature, wit and social commentary inspired by one of Oscar Wilde’s best-known observations. The event forms part of MoLI’s ongoing programme celebrating Ireland’s rich literary heritage.

Irish National Opera continues to bring world-class opera to audiences across Ireland, championing both new and established works while making opera more accessible nationwide. This summer, audiences can experience Testament, the acclaimed chamber opera by composer Tarik O’Regan and writer Colm Tóibín, a powerful meditation on memory, grief and truth inspired by The Testament of Mary. The production is currently touring and runs through to October.

Visitors to the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) can experience IMMA Collection: Art as Agency, a major long-term exhibition celebrating IMMA’s Permanent Collection as a source of creativity, knowledge and social engagement. Art as Agency invites audiences to engage with Ireland’s modern and contemporary art collection in new and meaningful ways.

Meanwhile, Wexford welcomes the return of FuddleFest, a community-focused festival that blends music, creativity, sustainability, and family-friendly activities. With a diverse programme of performances, workshops, and interactive experiences, the festival offers something for audiences of all ages.

RTÉ Supporting the Arts is proud to support and promote these events, helping audiences connect with the many artistic and cultural experiences taking place across Ireland this August.

We encourage everyone to explore, attend, and enjoy the wealth of creativity on offer this month. For more information, rte.ie/culture       

Events supported by the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme this August: