WHERE CULTURE, TRADITION AND CRAIC COMES ALIVE
The festival returns for it’s 5th year this August for three days of living heritage, community and cultural celebration as part of National Heritage Week on the 14, 15 + 16 August.
This year’s programme includes:
People of Rekindle - Friday August 14th, Ennistymon
Festival Launch and Exhibition
Lasraí - Saturday August 15th, Common Knowledge
Our intercultural opening concert at Common Knowledge
Rekindle Festival Day - Sunday August 16th, Lisdoonvarna
Live skill-sharing, céilí dancing, artisan markets, SPREAG talks, workshops, and a closing session in the heart of Lisdoonvarna
Land & Lore Artisan Food Market - Sunday August 16th, Lisdoonvarna
Traditional crafts, heritage trail + more
If you are interested in having a market stall, performing hosting a workshop or being a part of the Rekindle celebration, please contact us via our open call form.
Friday August 14th, Ennistymon
8:00PM TO 10:00PM
EXHIBITION LAUNCH: PEOPLE OF REKINDLE
A photographic exhibition by Patrick Cross, documenting the craftspeople, elders, musicians, dancers and makers who contribute to Rekindle's intergenerational skillsharing programme. The portraits were developed through site visits, interviews and documentation sessions with participants from Clare and newcomer communities. The launch evening features traditional dancing and live music, highlighting the intercultural relationships and shared knowledge that shape the festival.
Saturday August 15th, Lisdoonvarna & Common Knowledge
10:00am
Visit to the Old Spa Well
A guided heritage walk exploring the social, cultural and geological history of the Spa Wells. This event introduces audiences to the built and intangible heritage of the area, including the Victorian-era spa culture, local traditions, and the longstanding significance of the wells as places of gathering, healing and socialising.
12:30pm
At the Well: Story, Place and Built Heritage
A public conversation between Shelley McNamara (Grafton Architects) and Aindrias de Staic, facilitated by Paula Carroll, taking place in the town's former dance hall. The discussion explores how social spaces, architectural histories and local narratives shape identity, belonging and community memory. The event brings together perspectives from architecture, folklore, lived experience and cultural practice.
2:30pm to 5:00pm
Skillsharing Workshops at Common Knowledge - 2:30pm to 5:00pm
A series of hands-on traditional skills workshops at Common Knowledge, delivered by experienced craftspeople and knowledge holders. Workshops are practical, inclusive and intergenerational, creating opportunities for direct learning, exchange and cultural connection. Participants are supported by facilitators and Common Knowledge staff, with equipment and materials provided. Participants will rotate through skills such as:
Stone walling: Dry stone techniques rooted in Burren heritage
Scything: Traditional grass-cutting and land stewardship
Weaving and textile repair: Ecological approaches to everyday materials
Peatlands in Practice: Bird ID, Surveying and Habitat Health Monitoring workshop. Part of the Peatlands in Practice Programme.
7:30pm
Lasraí: The Rekindle Concert
Lasraí is a night of contemporary traditional music and intangible heritage, brought to life through music and dance with masters of traditional arts. The concert takes place in the beautiful Octagon venue at Common Knowledge.
Book Your Free Place Today
Sunday August 16th, Lisdoonvarna
10:00am – 12:00pm
Traditional Sean-nos Dance Workshop with Alice Cade
Join Alice Cade for a traditional sean-nos dance workshop at the Royal Spa Hotel in Lisdoonvarna, as part of the Rekindle Festival of Lost Skills.
11:00am
Land and Lore Festival Day
Lisdoonvarna transforms into an outdoor demonstration space celebrating traditional crafts, everyday heritage skills and sustainable making practices. Demonstrators include basketmaking, blacksmithing, hide tanning, weaving, spinning, natural building, chairmaking, scything and clock repair. Visitors can meet skillsharers and craftspeople, observe techniques and learn about the cultural and ecological significance of these skills.
12:00pm to 4:00pm
Céilí and Live Music
A community céilí featuring dancers, local musicians and visiting artists. Lisdoonvarna becomes a shared social space where residents, visitors and newcomer communities dance together. Simple steps are shown informally and all ages are welcome to take part.
1:00pm
The Rekindle Parade
Join us for the Rekindle Parade.
The procession will begin at Lisdoonvarna Pavillion and end in the Square in Lisdoonvarna.
Throughout the Afternoon
Throughout the Afternoon – Heritage Trail and Sessions
Workshops, talks and pop-up sessions take place across the town. Activities include short talks on biodiversity and land knowledge, storytelling sessions, seed-saving demonstrations, traditional music and opportunities to engage with local heritage organisations.
Throughout the Afternoon
National Parks and Wildlife Service Discovery Van
The NPWS Discovery Van is the first of its kind in the country and will serves an information and education point for both visitors to the Burren National Park and the wider community. NPWS guide staff will be on hand to offer friendly advice on visiting the park as well as information on geology, flora, fauna and the hiking trails.
4:00pm
Session with Aoife Kelly and Family
A traditional session with the brilliant Aoife Kelly and family - join 3 generations of Kellys for tunes and songs
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Closing Singing Session
Led by Mick Riordan, this closing session brings singers, musicians and local tradition-bearers together for an informal evening of songs and shared repertoire.
For any questions or queries, you’re most welcome to get in touch with Aoife and Brendan on rekindle@ourcommonknowledge.org or on 0834425819.
BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE TODAY
JOIN A HERITAGE TOUR AT COMMON KNOWLEDGE
To celebrate Heritage Week, we will be running Free Heritage Tours of the land at The Common Knowledge Centre throughout the week. Whether you would like to learn more about eco-system restoration work and biodiversity on site, or if you’re keen to explore the nature trails and see the various artistic sculptures that are setup across the site, we’d love to see you there.
2026 Supporters & Partners
Rekindle Festival of Lost Skills is funded by The Heritage Council,, Clare County Council Clare Local Area Grant Scheme and The Arts Council.
The Burren Smokehouse, Hydro Hotel, Burren Storehouse and the Roadside Tavern are also supporting activities and events at Rekindle 2026..
Project Coordinator
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Aoife Hammond
Aoife Hammond is a musician, programmer and producer and community facilitator. They have spent over 15 years working in the social enterprise and community and cultural sectors in Ireland most recently co-founding Fulacht Fia Café – a community café in County Leitrim and previously as manager of The Dublin Food Coop in Dublin 8. Aoife also works as a musician, community activist and independent events organiser, facilitating and promoting events in solidarity with grassroots organisations.
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