Experience the Magic of Live Performances at St Catherine's
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Freddie White has long been synonymous with music of the highest quality. He has been part of the fabric of the live music scene in Ireland since the 1970’s and his albums continue to sell well, amongst his loyal and newfound fan base.
“The sparse and haunting ‘Live on Tour’ is still among the greatest Irish albums of all time.
‘Do You Do’ swings and struts just as profoundly. Imagine those two cuts of vinyl made decade ago, they still stand as perfection” (Irish Times)
Freddie moved to Sydney, Australia in March 2011 but continued to tour Ireland and the UK regularly. He then resided in New York City for several years and has now returned to Ireland. Freddie’s performances will feature new songs along with his classics from his 40-year career as a principal in the orchestra of Irish folk and rock music.
Karen Underwood Presents The Music of Nina Simone
Get ready for an unforgettable evening with Karen Underwood as she brings the soul, passion, and power of Nina Simone's music to life! This in-person event is perfect for fans who want to experience her iconic songs up close and personal. Don't miss out on this amazing tribute that celebrates the legendary queen of jazz and blues in St Catherine's Cultural Centre Kinsale
shamelessly entertaining evening of great tunes from 18th century Ireland and beyond.
Marja Gaynor, director
David Power, uilleann pipes
Aisling Kenny, soprano
What if Handel’s Band took a night off?
For this series of performances, the Irish Baroque Orchestra will move away from the traditional recital format. Instead, we are creating an immersive, high-energy session that imagines the music Handel and his contemporaries would have heard in the informal settings of the 1740s - where Baroque virtuosity met the living Irish traditional music of the day. This programme imagines the musical influences in Dublin during Handel's stay and draws together works by Handel alongside traditional Irish music.
Curated by Cork’s Marja Gaynor with uilleann piper David Power, nine specialist musicians, including soprano Aisling Kenny, will perform in venues in Cork, Kerry and Dublin, creating a vibrant salon atmosphere. Handel’s Band Off-Duty is about stripping away the formal veneer of the modern concert hall to reveal the vibrant, social music that animated 18th-century Ireland.
details to follow………
Get ready for an unforgettable night with Clare O’Mahony and Tom Madden performing live at St. Catherine’s
Join us to enjoy their soulful renditions of folk favourites in a cozy atmosphere and gorgeous intimate venue. From James Taylor to Joni Mitchell, don’t miss out on this awesome event.
Having recently completed another successful show celebrating the Songs of Joni Mitchell in Cork's Everyman, Clare O'Mahony is excited to join long time musical companion Tom Madden to play a selection of their favourite folk songs in the gorgeous surrounds of St. Catherine's. A graduate of the renowned Music, Management and Sound course at Cork's Colaiste Stiofain Naofa, began to pen her own songs while learning about songwriting, and performance. Clare's debut album, Secret World, was well received and included two songs produced by Declan Sinnott. Clare followed on with her second album, Make Your Move , and went on to share the stage with James Blunt, Ron Hynes (Sonny's Dream) as well as performing her own shows throughout Ireland. Clare has performed across Canada and the US as well as across Ireland.
Kinsale native Tom Madden is known for his distinctive style of Guitar playing that utilises both open and alternative tunings which create a rich percussive accompaniment to both traditional and contemporary folk music. Tom is also a member of the Cork based Folk Band Mochua as a guitarist and vocalist. Mochua played a sold out gig in St Catherine's back in April and he is looking forward to being back there in November.
Award-winning comedian, writer and podcaster Cornelius Patrick O Sullivan is furious. If he had his time back again, he would do it all differently. Alas this is not an option so as he looks his forties firmly in the face he has hatched a new plan. To live his life vicariously through his seven-year-old son Harvey. What possibly could go wrong?!?
Pull Hard is a brand-new stand-up comedy show that deals with fatherhood and middle age and the lingering disappointment of lost opportunity. The hour is seasoned with tales of GAA matches, failed diets and expensive babysitters. Above all it’s a show about hope and endeavour.
The show has struck a chord with audiences across the country, culminating in a sold-out performance at the iconic Cork Opera House. Following that milestone night, the nationwide tour continues to go from strength to strength, playing to packed rooms and earning rave reactions wherever it lands.
Cornelius has performed all over Ireland to thousands of souls. internationally at festivals such as Edinburgh Fringe and nationally at the likes of Kilkenny Cat Laughs and the Paddy Power Comedy festival amongst many more.
“Acidic wit” – The Corkman
“Never fails to make me laugh” – Chris Kent, Comedian
“So God dam funny” – Deirdre O’ Kane, Comedian
Some Past Events
Dive into spooky tales and epic sea adventures at THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER—live and in person!
The Hungry Grass Theatre Company presents THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER in St Catherine’s Cultural Centre Kinsale August 8th
THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER
” a stunning performance.....a testament to O’Mahony’s skill as a storyteller” (‘Intemperance’ - the New Vic)
Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s story of an epic sea journey, written in 1797, centres around the killing of a harmless sea-bird - the albatross. The havoc wreaked by this pointless act of vandalism explodes into one of the most popular and best loved poems in the English language.
Mná consists of Phoebe Harty (cello,voice), Kathleen O'Shea (Flute, guitar, voice), Jess Collins (fiddle, voice, dance), Tara McCarthy (fiddle, viola, voice) and Tara Viscardi (Harp, Voice).
All artists in their own right and featured on BBC and RTÉ, Mná brings together a distinctive sound, from plaintive traditional songs to driving reels, performing at venues including the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, Hackney and Dulwich folk clubs and the Flamingo Club, as well as Return to London Town and Fire in the Mountain Festivals.
Mná will also be touring the west coast of Ireland in August 2026, and host a regular folk session at the Old White Bear in Hampstead on the first Friday of each month.
Cormac Begley brings his acclaimed concertina performance to Kinsale, immersive, powerful and rooted in Irish tradition.
Cormac Begley is a master of the concertina, known for deeply emotive and powerful performances that both honour and expand the traditions of Irish music. Hailing from West Kerry, his work is rooted in a rich musical heritage, while his distinctive approach has brought the instrument to new audiences.
Performing across a remarkable range of concertinas, from bass to piccolo, Begley creates a sound that is both elemental and immersive. His acclaimed album B, centred entirely on the rare bass concertina, earned widespread praise including Irish Times Album of the Year and Best Folk Instrumentalist at the RTÉ Folk Awards.
A compelling live performer, his work spans solo performance and collaborations with artists including Lisa O’Neill and Ye Vagabonds.
In the intimate setting of St. Catherine’s Cultural Centre, this performance offers a rare opportunity to experience his music up close, immersive, expansive, and deeply felt.
Photo Credit: Oda Dineen
Lightning-fast reels, soulful airs, and witty storytelling into an unforgettable celebration of Irish music..
Enjoy an evening filled with amazing music in the wonderful St Catherines Cultural Centre Kinsale
Welcome to The Meliora and Olympia Quartets from MTU (Cork School of Music) at St Catherine's Cultural Centre Kinsale.
Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with beautiful music for quartet from Beethoven and Mendelssohn . Join us at St Catherine's Cultural Centre for a night of classical melodies and harmonious sounds. Don't miss out on this special in-person event that promises to be a feast for the ears. Grab your tickets now and experience the magic of live music!
After a wonderful opening Folk Night in Kinsale featuring The Fynches and Culture Kid, organisers (Bainne Dubh) are delighted to keep the momentum going with the announcement of Hermitage Green live at St Catherine’s on June 12th 2026.
The first event set a warm and intimate tone for the series, celebrating the very best of contemporary and traditional folk music. Hermitage Green’s arrival to the beautiful St Catherine’s setting promises another memorable evening filled with rich harmonies, vibrant instrumentation, and the uplifting live energy the band are known for.
Formed in Limerick, Hermitage Green are celebrating 15 years together and have built a loyal following across Ireland and beyond with their distinctive folk-influenced sound. Their Kinsale show offers a special opportunity to experience one of Ireland’s most loved live acts up close.
Folk Nights are part of the journey toward a future Kinsale Folk Festival, helping to grow a strong local folk community and bring special live music moments to the town.
Organisers Bainne Dubh say the Folk Nights series is just the beginning:
Rennie Pearson and Lúan perform tunes, songs and stories from Ireland, Scotland and beyond, alongside original compositions. With wooden flute, bouzouki, whistles, fiddle, bodhrán and voices, their finely crafted concerts weave a tapestry of music, stories, humor and history that takes the audience on a wild journey.
Rennie Pearson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer from New Zealand whose music is deeply rooted in the traditions of Ireland, Scotland and Maritime Canada. Performing on wooden flute, whistles, fiddle, guitar and bodhrán, he blends storytelling with the music to craft an enchanting performance which has connected with audiences all over the world.
Lúan is a Galway-based folk musician who brings together traditional influences with a background in rock and metal. A bouzouki player and singer, he performs in both English and Irish, drawing on a repertoire of lesser-known folk songs and tunes shaped by years on the Galway trad and folk circuit.
Reggie has a brand-new show, and this time he’s a farmer!
Strap yourself in for laughs-out-loud as Cork’s favourite billionaire inherits a 700-acre farm and insults his way around rural Ireland.
Feel his pain as he tries to make friends with the bogmen (his words) and wonders why there are so many three-year-olds driving tractors. Watch him take advice from Kerry business guru Sean Mike Sean Mike O’Se-O’Se, who shows him how to charge visitors €10 euro to visit an inflatable Bronze Age Fort (€6.99 on Temu). Get his take on farmers markets, check shirts and barn-sex with a horsey woman from Clonmel. And find out if he’ll ever return to his 8.2-million-euro mansion on the Blackrock Road.
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh with Gerry O'Beirne and Dónal O'Connor.
Celebrated line-up shares an evening of beloved Irish songs and tunes in a relaxed and warm setting.
RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Singer of the Year 2022 Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is accompanied by celebrated musicians Gerry O’Beirne (guitar, vocals) and Dónal O’Connor (fiddle, keyboards, vocals) for an unmissable concert featuring beloved songs in Irish and English along with lively instrumental pieces
A seamless combination of folk, blues, jazz and gospel, now stand as beautiful, larger-than-life compositions. Think of a beautiful tapestry woven with vibrant colours—that’s the best way to describe the stunning voice of Niamh Strong.
Cork based Mochua have established a reputation for quality live performance of trad instrumentals and unique interpretations of both traditional and contemporary folk songs with their virtuosic instrumentation and dynamic arrangements.
Mochua feature Kinsale native Tom Madden on Guitar/vocals and Monaghan born Regina McMullen on Fiddle/vocals. Joining Mochua on the night will be acclaimed Cork multi instrumentalist Karl Nesbitt.
Be surprised by an interesting movie
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Fiona Kennedy is set to captivate audiences with her bold new theatrical production, Natural Woman.
St Catherine’s Kinsale welcomes the Piatti Quartet from London for a very intimate and special evening of music.
For classical music lovers this is an experience not to be missed.
This one of a kind recital will feature pieces by Ravel, Barber, Shostakovich to name but a few. A truely magical experience in a venue renowned for it's acoustic qualities.
Irish Singer-Songwriter Podge Lane returns home from the US to celebrate the release of his highly acclaimed 4th record "Less Of Me" with a headline show at the iconic St. Catherines Cultural Centre, Kinsale on March 6th, 2025.
Be surprised by an interesting movie
Come join us for a special evening with Leah Song, the mesmerising voice behind Rising Appalachia. Get ready to be swept away by her soulful melodies and powerful lyrics.
Be surprised by an interesting movie
Reggie from the Blackrock Road is doing a Masters in Irish Mortification. Great night of laughs guaranteed. You might even learn something.
Be surprised by an interesting movie
With a voice that “could melt icebergs at 50 paces” (VOX), Briana Corrigan of The Beautiful South has returned to the stage after a 10-year hiatus with a hugely successful and sold-out tours
Kinsale Folk Fest presents 'The Fynches' & 'Culture Kid'
We’re proud to announce the first chapter in the journey of the Kinsale Folk Fest – an intimate winter series that brings world-class music to the heart of Kinsale.
Join us in the beautiful setting of St Catherine’s Cultural Centre for an evening with The Fynches – one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging folk acts. On the night, we will also be joined by the talented Culture Kid to open the evening blending intimate & honest lyricism with expansive & melodic soundscapes.
Be surprised by an interesting movie
Fiona Bevan is a multi-platinum Canadian-British singer-songwriter from Suffolk, with a delicate, passionate voice and Adam Beattie a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist who has just released his fifth solo album to critical acclaim.
Lemoncello craft spellbinding songs that weave together elements of Irish folk, classical, and contemporary styles, rich music, poetic lyricism.
Blue Rose Code come into 2025 with a fresh wind in their sails. The last year saw sparkling reviews in the national press for award winning album, 'Bright Circumstance'
Astounding Irish storyteller Clare Murphy comes to Kinsale to perform The Spanking Goddess and Other Discarded Tales, a romp through the untold myths of the Celts.
Experience the enchanting performances by the renowned Wexford Festival Opera right here in our beautiful town. Get ready to be mesmerised by the talented artists and immerse yourself in the world of opera.
Be surprised by an interesting movie
Come join us for a special evening with Leah Song, the mesmerising voice behind Rising Appalachia. Get ready to be swept away by her soulful melodies and powerful lyrics.
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