Pan Celtic International Festival returns to Carlow in 2024!

The Pan Celtic International Council has announced that the 50th Pan Celtic International Festival will be hosted by Carlow during Easter week of next year, 2 - 6 April 2024.  The raison d’être of Pan Celtic International Council, established in the early 197os, is to promote and strengthen the shared Celtic heritage of Éire, Alba, Cymru, Mannin, Kernow and Breizh by promoting the language, culture, music and song of each nation at the annual festival and to encourage Inter-Celtic tourism, trade, commerce and facilitate the development of Inter-Celtic networks.  

“The beautiful, vibrant, county town of Carlow has long been a favourite of the International Pan Celtic Festival for a number of reasons”, said Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, CEO of the Pan Celtic International Council, “not least the welcoming nature of the people of Carlow, the dynamic, artistic, local community, superb venues, gracious accommodation providers, all while harbouring an unexpectedly rich Irish-speaking oasis nurtured by a naíonra, Gaelscoil, Gaelcholáiste and a yearlong programme of events through Irish.”

“The town was initially chosen to host the Pan Celtic Festival back in 2012 because of the popularity of the Irish language in Carlow” said Bríde de Róiste, Festival Committee. “Since then, the entire community has embraced the festival on no less than five occasions making it an amazing celebration of all things Irish, cultural and Celtic. Carrying off such a prestigious festival as Pan Celtic has been possible thanks to the many individuals who gave enthusiastically of their own particular talents, skills, expertise and time”.

The festival programme showcases the arts, culture and languages of all the Celtic nations providing a cornucopia of events including concerts, performing arts competitions, workshops, sessions, exhibitions, festival Club Nights, a Pan Celtic Street Parade and a host of fringe events. A number of 50 Years Commemoration Events will, of course, be organized as part of the 2024 festival. 

All up to date information regarding festival news and events can be found on the website, www.panceltic.ie.