Fest'Irlande
Traditional Irish music festival in Cantal
About Fest'Irlande
Ireland at the heart of Cantal
Created in 2023, Fest'Irlande is an association-run festival that celebrates traditional Irish music, song, and dance every summer in the streets of the charming medieval village of Pleaux, in the heart of Cantal. Driven by a passionate non-profit association (loi 1901), this unique event aims to introduce the richness of Irish culture to all those who haven't had the chance to cross the sea, while highlighting the surprising connections between Ireland and the rural, green landscape of Cantal.
A Festival in Two Parts
The festival is organized around two complementary axes:
The IN Festival
The official program features master classes to learn or improve skills in playing traditional Irish instruments: fiddle, uilleann pipes, bouzouki, banjo, mandolin, harp, Irish flutes, bodhrán, harmonica, diatonic accordion, as well as singing and dancing (Ceili and Set Dancing) classes. These advanced workshops, led by experienced French and Irish musicians, take place over three days. The IN Festival also includes concerts by renowned Irish and French artists, as well as a grand traditional Irish dance (Ceili) at affordable prices.
The OFF Festival
The sessions are the beating heart of Fest'Irlande. In the pure Irish tradition, amateur and professional musicians spontaneously gather in the main square, in the streets, and on the terraces of Pleaux's cafés and restaurants to share their passion for oral music. These friendly, free, and open-to-all moments fill the entire village with the sound of reels, jigs, slip-jigs, polkas, waltzes, and other slides, from the afternoon until late at night.
Much More Than Just Music
Beyond the musical program, Fest'Irlande offers a luthiers' fair where artisans and instrument makers showcase their craftsmanship, illuminated manuscript and Celtic calligraphy workshops, photographic exhibitions, and documentary screenings about Ireland. Conferences explore the cultural bridges between the Cantal region and the Emerald Isle, revealing unsuspected similarities between these two rural territories attached to their traditions.
An Exceptional Setting
The festival takes place in several emblematic locations in Pleaux: Place Georges Pompidou in the heart of the medieval town, the Maison du Temps Libre, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church for acoustic recitals, and the CCAS holiday center hall for amplified concerts. The entire village transforms into an open-air stage, offering an authentic and warm setting for festival-goers from all over France and Ireland.
A human-sized, friendly, and locally rooted festival, Fest'Irlande has become in just a few editions an unmissable event for lovers of Irish culture and traditional music.
Fest'Irlande — edition 2026
4th Edition: July 4 to 6, 2026
Fest'Irlande returns for its 4th edition from July 4 to 6, 2026 in Pleaux, in Cantal. An opening night will take place on Friday, July 3 with spontaneous musical sessions on the terraces and in the marquees in the village center, as a prelude to the official program of the following three days.
Announced Headliners
Two major concert events structure this edition:
- Saturday, July 4 — Concert by Réalta, an Irish group of five musicians from Belfast, at the CCAS multi-purpose hall in Pleaux.
- Sunday, July 5 — Concert by Rachel Hair, a renowned Scottish harpist from Glasgow, in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Pleaux, followed in the evening by a big traditional Irish ball (Ceili) led by about ten French-Irish musicians.
- Monday, July 6 — Concert by master class participants, followed by the festival's closing session at the Maison du Temps Libre.
Master Classes and Workshops over Three Days
The advanced training courses form the backbone of the Festival IN: violin, banjo, mandolin, harp, flute, bodhrán, guitar, uilleann pipe, tin whistle, traditional singing, and group dance. Classes take place from 10 AM to 1 PM and from 2 PM to 5 PM, led by experienced French and Irish musicians. In addition, there are Celtic illumination and calligraphy workshops (2 PM - 7 PM) and slow sessions open to beginner musicians (10 AM - 12 PM).
Festival OFF: Sessions, Luthier Fair, and Exhibitions
As every year, free street sessions punctuate the afternoons (2 PM - 5 PM) on Place Georges Pompidou and in the village streets, and continue into the evening on café and restaurant terraces from 9 PM. The luthier fair (2 PM - 7 PM) welcomes artisans and makers of traditional instruments, while photographic and documentary exhibitions on Ireland, as well as a wool fulling demonstration accompanied by Gaelic songs, complete the cultural program.
Memberships to the association and registrations for master classes are open from January 1, 2026 via the HelloAsso platform. The complete detailed program can be consulted on the official festival website.
Programme Fest'Irlande 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026 — Opening Night
- From 9 PM — Spontaneous musical sessions on the terraces and in the marquees in the village center (Festival OFF, free access)
Saturday, July 4, 2026
- 10 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM - 5 PM — Advanced master classes (violin, banjo, mandolin, harp, flute, bodhrán, guitar, uilleann pipe, tin whistle, singing, dance) · Maison du Temps Libre
- 10 AM - 12 PM — Slow session open to beginner musicians
- 2 PM - 5 PM — Permanent free sessions in the village streets
- 2 PM - 7 PM — Luthier fair, Celtic illumination and calligraphy workshops, photographic and documentary exhibitions on Ireland
- 4 PM - 5:30 PM — Wool fulling demonstration (Kelting) accompanied by Gaelic songs
- 6 PM — Concert by Réalta (Irish group, 5 musicians, Belfast) · CCAS multi-purpose hall in Pleaux (paid concert)
- From 9 PM — Terrace sessions in the village center (free access)
Sunday, July 5, 2026
- 10 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM - 5 PM — Advanced master classes
- 2 PM - 5 PM — Permanent free sessions in the streets
- 2 PM - 7 PM — Luthier fair, illumination workshops, exhibitions
- 6 PM — Concert by Rachel Hair (Scottish harpist, Glasgow) · Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Pleaux (paid concert)
- 9 PM — Big traditional Irish ball (Ceili) with about ten French-Irish musicians and a dance master · CCAS multi-purpose hall
- From 9 PM — Terrace sessions (free access)
Monday, July 6, 2026 — Closing
- 10 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM - 5 PM — Master classes (last day of courses)
- 5 PM - 6 PM — Singing session at Saint-Jean-Baptiste church
- 6 PM - 7 PM — Concert presenting the work of the participants (master class concert)
- From 9 PM — Festival closing session · Maison du Temps Libre
Program communicated based on the official website and the Pays d'Aurillac Tourisme and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme information sheets — subject to last-minute adjustments.
Highlights Fest'Irlande 2026
- 4th edition of the traditional Irish music, song, and dance festival in Cantal
- Concert by Réalta, an Irish group of five musicians from Belfast (Saturday, July 4)
- Concert by Rachel Hair, a renowned Scottish harpist, at Saint-Jean-Baptiste church (Sunday, July 5)
- Big traditional Irish ball (Ceili) with about ten French-Irish musicians (Sunday evening)
- Master classes led by experienced musicians over three days: violin, banjo, mandolin, harp, flute, bodhrán, uilleann pipe, singing, and dance
- Free street sessions, luthier fair, illumination workshops, and exhibitions on Irish-Cantal ties
- Opening night on Friday, July 3, with spontaneous sessions in the village center
Prices Fest'Irlande 2026
Practical information — Fest'Irlande
Practical Information
Access
Pleaux is located in the department of Cantal (15), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The village is 40 km northwest of Aurillac and 60 km from Mauriac.
- By car: From Aurillac, take the D120 towards Laroquebrou then the D13 towards Pleaux (approx. 45 minutes). From Brive-la-Gaillarde, follow the A89 then the D120 and the D13. From Paris: A71 then A89 motorways.
- By train: Nearest train station in Aurillac (Paris-Aurillac line via Brive). Car rental or carpooling to reach Pleaux.
- By plane: Flights from Paris-Orly to Aurillac with CHALAIR AVIATION, then car rental to Pleaux.
Festival Venues
- Place Georges Pompidou: Street sessions and outdoor entertainment in the heart of the medieval village.
- Maison du Temps Libre: Master classes, luthier exhibition, illumination workshops, exhibitions, closing sessions.
- Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste: Acoustic recitals and concerts (Rachel Hair in 2026).
- Salle polyvalente du CCAS: Amplified concerts and Ceili dance (1 km from the center, towards Laroquebrou).
- Village center terraces and marquees: Spontaneous evening sessions.
Prices
- Concerts (Festival IN): 10 to 15 € per concert (Réalta, Rachel Hair, master class concert).
- Ceili Dance: Accessible price, to be confirmed on the HelloAsso ticketing platform.
- Master classes: 120 € for 3 days of advanced workshops (3 hours of lessons per day).
- Street sessions, exhibitions, workshops and Festival OFF entertainment: Free.
- Reduced price for association members.
Ticketing and Registration
Tickets, memberships and master class registrations are available online on HelloAsso (reservations open on January 1st, 2026) and on the official festival website. Payment also accepted on site by check or cash.
Accommodation
Several accommodation options are available nearby:
- Pleaux municipal campsite: Near the town center.
- Gîtes and bed and breakfasts: Consult the Tourist Office of Pays d'Aurillac or Pays de Salers for the complete list.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 06 81 66 42 48
- Website: www.festirlande.fr
- Facebook: facebook.com/festirlande
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Where does it take place — Fest'Irlande
Place Georges Pompidou et centre-ville de Pleaux
Place Georges Pompidou, 15700 Pleaux