Fest'Irlande
Traditional Irish music festival in Cantal
About Fest'Irlande
Fest'Irlande is a festival of traditional Irish music, song, and dance that takes place every summer in Pleaux, Cantal. For three days, the medieval village buzzes to the rhythm of reels, jigs, and polkas with concerts, master classes, free street sessions, a luthiers' fair, and exhibitions celebrating the cultural links between Ireland and Cantal.
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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 of Fest'Irlande in Pleaux. Three days of traditional Irish music, song, and dance with concerts, master classes, free street sessions, a luthiers' fair, and exhibitions on Irish-Cantal cultural links.
4th Edition: July 4th to 6th, 2026
Fest'Irlande returns for its 4th edition from July 4th to 6th, 2026 in the streets of Pleaux and its associated towns. True to its friendly and participatory spirit, the festival promises a new edition rich in musical and cultural discoveries.
Among the first artists announced, the Irish group Réalta will perform in concert on Friday, July 4th. The full program, including all concerts, master classes, and events, will be unveiled in March 2026.
As every year, the festival will offer advanced workshops in the morning and afternoon, illuminated manuscript and calligraphy workshops, free ongoing sessions in the streets, a luthiers' fair, photographic and documentary exhibitions on Ireland, and improvised musical sessions on terraces each evening. Association members will receive a reduced rate for the Réalta concert.
Programme Fest'Irlande 2026
2026 Program (To be completed)
- Friday, July 3rd (evening): Inauguration by invitation. Musical sessions in the town center until late at night.
- Saturday, July 4th: Advanced workshops (10 AM-1 PM and 2 PM-5 PM). Illuminated manuscript workshops (2 PM-7 PM). Slow Session workshops (10 AM-12 PM). Free ongoing street sessions (2 PM-5 PM). Luthiers' fair (2 PM-7 PM). Photo and documentary exhibitions on Ireland. Concert by Réalta in the evening. Terrace sessions (9 PM-12 AM).
- Sunday, July 5th: Workshops and classes. Street sessions. Concert (artist to be confirmed). Terrace sessions.
- Monday, July 6th: Workshops and classes. Street sessions. Events and closing of the festival.
Highlights Fest'Irlande 2026
- 4th edition of the traditional Irish music festival
- Concert by the Irish group Réalta on Friday, July 4th
- 3-day advanced master classes
- Free and ongoing street sessions
- Luthiers' fair and exhibitions
- Celtic illuminated manuscript and calligraphy workshops
- Exhibitions on Irish-Cantal cultural links
Prices Fest'Irlande 2026
Practical information — Fest'Irlande
Practical Information
Access
Pleaux is located in the Cantal department (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 to Pleaux (approx. 45 minutes). From Brive-la-Gaillarde, follow the A89 then the D120 and D13.
- By train: Nearest station in Aurillac (Paris-Aurillac line via Brive). Car rental or carpooling to reach Pleaux.
Festival Venues
- Place Georges Pompidou: Street sessions and outdoor events.
- Maison du Temps Libre: Luthiers' fair, illuminated manuscript workshops, exhibitions.
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church: Acoustic recitals.
- CCAS Holiday Center Hall: Amplified concerts (1 km from the center, towards Laroquebrou).
Prices
- Concerts: 12 euros per concert (Saturday and Sunday).
- Master classes: 120 euros for 3 days of workshops (3 hours of class per day).
- Street sessions, exhibitions, and events: Free.
Ticketing
Tickets are available online on HelloAsso and on the official festival website. Association members benefit from a reduced rate on concerts.
Accommodation
Several accommodation options are available nearby:
- Municipal campsite of Pleaux: Near the town center.
- Gîtes and B&Bs: Consult the Tourist Office of Pays d'Aurillac or Pays de Salers for a complete list.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 06 81 66 42 48
- Website: www.festirlande.fr
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Fest'Irlande at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Fest'Irlande
Place Georges Pompidou et centre-ville de Pleaux
Place Georges Pompidou, 15700 Pleaux