The best of the best
Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival (CMAF) will celebrate its 28th anniversary in 2025. This annual festival – held every August Bank Holiday weekend since 1995 – is a well-established and key event in the Irish summer festival calendar. CMAF has hosted a variety of musical talent on its main stage like Aslan, Shannon Sharon, Hot House Flowers, Paul Brady, Michael English, The Blizzards, and many many more.
CMAF attracts visitors from all over Ireland and the world, and is very much a homecoming for many in the community… Siblings and oldest friends returning for the “not to be missed weekend”. Families reuniting over music and dancing. Munster neighbours from towns near and far making the journey south. And friends and guests welcomed into homes and on sofas to make the most of the town’s busiest weekend! So, enjoy a lively weekend in town, welcome home, or to your ‘home from home’.
The festival programme offers a wide range of music, arts, and cultural events targeted at all age groups. In addition to three nights of headlining musicians, the pubs and bars are alive with trad music sessions, and the stages in the street feature live bands and dance displays throughout the daytime. Incredible arts trails and passionate artists’ talks introduce festival go-ers to internationally accredited artists and exhibitions. Visitors and locals can delve into Cahersiveen’s rich history and scenery through Iveragh walking tours and water activities in the River Fertha. And of course there are limitless family events including; street entertainment, a funfair, circus school, tractor-pulling contests, teenage disco, and teddy bears picnic.
The Friday of the festival begins every year with a spectacular fireworks display; setting the tone for the excitement to come! Check out 2024’s programme of events here.
Meet the committee
The festival is entirely voluntary-run by a committee of professionals, music and arts enthusiasts, and people committed to producing a fun-filled weekend for our community and many welcome (and returning!) visitors.