06/10/2026
Fringe is 75!
There’s nothing quite like the Wexford Fringe Festival, which starts this Friday, October 09. For most of October, Wexford will host a three-week long programme of concerts – classical music, jazz, rock and traditional – exhibition openings, drama, lectures, performances, readings, all celebrating the best of local talent.
A special emphasis has been placed this year on Wexford creatives, with almost half a dozen Wexford writers and spoken word performers at Wexford library, a mouth-watering four-night appearance by Wexford drama group at Wexford Arts Centre and the annual performance by celebrated choral groups like the Rowe Street Choir, Wexford Light Opera Society, the Wexford Folk Orchestra and the Valda Chamber Choir.
WEEK 1
October 09
Music for Wexford: The Fews Ensemble/ Ciarán Hinds
7.30 p.m. St. Iberius Church
Made up of leading chamber musicians, orchestral leaders and principals and soloists from Ireland, the UK and Europe, the resident ensemble of Newry Mourne and Down and Newry Chamber Music, The Fews are renowned, not only for the quality of their playing, but for their innovative programme lead by Artistic Director, Joanne Quigley McParland.
The group specialises in cross arts projects, working most notably with actor Ciarán Hinds, and present a fresh approach to chamber music genres, interspersed with thematic poetry and prose.
October 09
Wexford Craft Studios
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tues to Sat, Peter’s Street, Y35 C8X8
A new addition to this year’s festival, Wexford Craft Studios is a vibrant new creative destination celebrating the very best of handmade Irish design. Housed in the beautifully restored former Coleman Doyle's/Gibsons building, Wexford Craft Studios brings together an inspiring collection of talented local artists, makers and craftspeople under one roof.
October 9,16,23,30, 31
Haunted Hallows Ghost Tour
8 p.m. Wexwalks presents Haunted Hallows Ghost tours.
Local historian Paul Walsh brings you on a terrifying exploration of the dark beating heart of Wexford. Exploring cavernous churches ghoulish graveyards and terrifying towers visitors will hear of the ghosts, ghouls and goblins, devils and disciples and demons.
October 13
The Dawning of an Age/Spoken word and song by Imelda Kehoe
7 p.m. Wexford Town Library. Free but booking online through library.
Come on a journey to the High Arctic with songwriter Imelda Kehoe. From the whalers, trappers, explorers and miners of Svalbard's Arctic Archipelago to the mythologised railway navvies who built Britain's railways, this performance traces a single thread of the coal that drove one industry, and the men who dug it from the other. Through original songs, stories, folklore and fascinating personal and historical accounts, Imelda brings to life the remarkable people who lived through this transition, often thousands of miles apart yet bound by the same demand for fuel and progress.
October 14, 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, 31
Creativity Counts Exhibition
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wexford Mental Health Association, Henrietta Street.
Wexford Mental Health Association was formed in 1978 by a group of volunteers with an interest in helping promote positive mental health in County Wexford. This is a showcase of art, sculpture, photography and poetry from talented artists throughout the county.
October 15
Jazz piano with Terry Byrne
1 p.m. Wexford Library
Jazz music and piano go hand in hand, and this year Wexford-pianist Terry Bryne continues Wexford Library’s exploration of the genre during recent Wexford Fringe Festivals. In general, jazz pianists already play piano at a high level. Like Terry, they usually have an intuitive understanding of music theory compared to pianists in other genres. Terry, who appeared at Jazz at Johnstown this year, has always dedicated himself to both the art of playing jazz and of playing piano in his own style and is harmonically and stylistically way ahead of many of his contemporaries.
October 15 – 30
Red Books Fringe Events
(Time and venue vary: see below)
October 15
Launch of art exhibition curated by Ita Grattan (6pm Red Books)
October 16
Book launch: The Blood Cure by Margaret Hawkins (6 p.m. Red Books Underground)
Outspoken Book Festival Special (7 p.m. Red Books Underground)
October 17
Free Marvel Day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nerd-Up)
Pop-up Paperback Market (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eclectic Avenue)
Book launch: Birdstyle by Gordon D’Arcy 6 p.m. Red Books Underground)
October 18
55th Annual Wexford Book Fair (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Talbot Hotel)
A Celebration of New Publishing – books, performances and talk (1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wexford Book Fair, Talbot Hotel Book Fair)
Once Upon a Wexford: Children’s Books and Readings (1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Wexford Book Fair, Talbot Hotel)
October 23
The Driftwood Sessions (Live Original Music, 7.30 p.m. Red Books)
October 28
Creature Features Halloween Special
(A double screening of classic creature horror movies from 7 p.m. in Red Books Underground)
October 30
Spooky Stories (Performances of scary stories and folklore, 7 p.m. Red Books Underground)
October 15
Spoken Word – So Say So
7.30 p.m. Wexford Arts Centre
So, Say So spotlights poetry, storytelling, and music. Hosted by Stephen James Smith with special guest Vona Groarke and music from Basciville. Vona has published fourteen books with The Gallery Press, including nine original poetry collections, and two translations from the Irish, most recently Woman of Winter (2023), a version of the much-loved Irish poem usually known in English as, 'The Lament of the Hag of Beare'.
October 15 to 31
Wexford Walks with Paul Walsh
11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Price: E15. From the Bullring.
Join actor, award winning director, historian and Wexford town native Paul Walsh on an enthralling journey into and across Viking and Norman Wexford. For several hundred years (from the 9th to the early 12th century), Wexford was a Viking town. However, in 1169 Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster and his Norman ally Robert Fitz-Stephen besieged Wexford, and the Norman age began. Visiting ancient walls, historic towers, cavernous churches and winding lanes, Paul weaves one thousand years of dramatic history into an exciting 75 minutes.
Starting point is the Pikeman statue, Main Street.
October 16-November 01
Flashback Encore 75
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Oct 25-26, from noon)
South Main Street (opposite The Sky and the Ground)
A superb display, and one of the annual fringe festival highlights, of black and white prints from two legendary Wexford photographers, Denis and Pat O’Connor, which trace the trajectory of what it was like to live in Wexford in the 20th century, a tribute to the way we were and life as it was in this harbour town.
October 16 – November 01
Wexford Camera Club exhibition
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friends Meeting House, High Street
Members of Wexford Camera Club present an exhibition of their selected work, offering a fascinating glimpse into the world as seen through the camera lens. Featuring a wide range of subjects, styles and photographic techniques, the exhibition celebrates the creativity and talent within the local community.
From landscapes and nature to places and abstract images, the collection reflects the diverse interests and individual perspectives of the club’s members. Visitors are invited to enjoy this varied display and discover the many ways in which photography can capture, interpret and celebrate the world around us.
October 16
Happiness Then
7.30 p.m. Wexford Arts Centre
Happiness Then: Bernie Bourke and Liam Halligan present The Bewley’s Cafe Theatre Production of Happiness Then by Elizabeth Moynihan starring Rachael Dowling and Sorcha Furlong. A riveting comedy drama delving into the relationship between two sisters, Bridget and Frances, who meet for the first time after their mother’s death. Eternally at odds, they bicker as only sisters can over everything from the w**e to the will! Exploring the fallout of being left behind, loves and losses are examined and re-examined with acerbic wit and delicious put downs. Can Bridget and Frances’ searching need for sisterly support help to mend their broken relationships, not only with each other but with their loved ones, before it’s too late?
October 17, 18 and 24
Pumpkin Pick up
Johnstown Castle
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets at reception.
Johnstown Castle is the perfect place to soak up autumn. Visit the Pumpkin Pick Up in the Bothy Sheds, where you can choose from a variety of pumpkins, ideal for carving, decorating, or cooking at home. While you browse, treat yourself to a delicious pumpkin spiced latte from The Coffee Pot, the perfect companion for a crisp autumn day.
But why stop there? Make it a full day experience and explore the daytime Hallowe’en events, all included in general admission. Wander through the spooky Outdoor Hallowe’en Trail and uncover secrets in the Museum of Mysteries.
Take a leisurely stroll through the castle gardens, breathe in the fresh autumn air, and capture special moments with family and friends.
October 18
The Lake Has No Voice
3 p.m. Red Books Underground, Eclectic Avenue (free)
The Lake Has No Voice is an Arts Collective responding to the ecology of Lady’s Island Lake, Wexford, comprising six artists and writers. Since last autumn, the artists and writers have walked these shores, listened closely, reflected, and created work shaped by what the lake itself seems to ask: attention, care, and action. An hour of music, poetry and images.
October 18-31
The Wexford Salon Events: Oscar Wilde Suite at Whites of Wexford
Sunday 18th October: all 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., unless otherwise stated.
Derek Fenech, illustrator and designer in conversation with The Wexford Salon exhibition curator, Maura Bell. Derek is a Mediterranean illustrator and storyteller based in Ireland, whose work draws inspiration from nature, folklore and history
Thursday, 22nd October:
Ben Barnes, award-winning Theatre Director, will discuss his newly
published book, Side Stage.
Friday 23rd October:
Annette Byrne, Julsuluv, will give a demonstration about her handcrafted
jewellery.
Saturday 24th October: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.:
Award-winning writer, Jaki McCarrick, will read from her new poetry collection,
Sweeney as a Girl.
Monday 26th October:
Award-winning Textile Artist, Josephine Whitmore, will give a live demonstration of
her work.
Thursday 29th October:
Visual artist, Jackie Mitchell, will give a live painting demonstration.
Saturday 31st October: 2p.m. – 3 p.m.:
Visual artist, Helen O Connell in conversation with exhibition curator Maura Bell.
October 18
55th Wexford Book, Coin and Collectables Fair
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Talbot Hotel
Antiquarian, out of print and second hand books; collectable coins, banknotes, china, ceramics, antiques, post cards and vintage items, all in the Slaney Suite. Small admission fee but children are free.
Admission: €3, children are free.
