RT continues to champion Ireland's creative life this May, supporting a broad range of festivals, exhibitions and performances across music, theatre, literature, film and the visual arts, with RT Supporting the Arts showcasing the depth, diversity and vitality of cultural activity engaging artists and audiences locally, nationally and internationally.
This May, The Dublin Dance Festival and CISEACH | An Embodied Manifesto showcase contemporary dance practice from leading Irish and international artists, with performances taking place in Dublin and touring nationally. Theatre audiences can enjoy both political and classic drama through The House Must Win, staged in Dublin and Cork, and a new production of An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde at the Gate Theatre, offering a fresh interpretation of the much loved work.
Music festivals and concert series continue to thrive across the country. Blackwater Valley Opera Festival presents world class opera and recital performances in historic venues in Waterford, while orchestral and chamber music are celebrated through Limerick Summer Proms 2026, SCS Killaloe Music Festival, Marble City Music Festival, and West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival. Milestone anniversaries are marked at the Galway Early Music Festival - 30th Anniversary and Ballydehob Jazz Festival 2026 20th Anniversary Edition, reflecting Ireland's diverse musical traditions. Vocal and choral music is showcased nationally through Chamber Choir Ireland Spring-Summer 2026 Season, alongside major international platforms such as Cork International Choral Festival and Limerick Sings International Choral Festival.
Film and visual culture take focus through a range of nationally significant platforms. Fastnet Film Festival continues to support emerging and established filmmakers in West Cork, while the Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize at Photo Museum Ireland highlights excellence in contemporary Irish photography. Major exhibitions include William Blake: The Age of Romantic Fantasy at the National Gallery of Ireland and Our, ir, Ore: Four Millennia of Limerick Silver and Gold at the Hunt Museum, offering audiences insight into artistic, literary and craft heritage spanning centuries. Visual art also plays a vital role in social impact initiatives through the Mental Health Matters: National Poster Campaign and the Incognito Art Sale for Jack and Jill, which supports the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation through an international online platform.
Ireland's literary landscape remains vibrant and internationally connected. This May The International Literature Festival Dublin 2026 brings writers and thinkers from around the world together in the capital, while Listowel Writers' Week, celebrating 55 years, continues its long standing contribution to Irish literary life. Literary heritage and reflection are central to the Achill Heinrich B ll Memorial Weekend 2026, while Poetry Day Ireland invites public participation nationwide through readings, broadcasts and shared moments.
Regional and community led festivals continue to play a vital role in Ireland's cultural ecosystem. Carlow Arts Festival, Cavan Arts Festival, and Culture Date with Dublin 8 deliver multidisciplinary programmes rooted in local engagement, while Ball Nights - A Celebration of West Kerry Music honours regional musical traditions through a nationwide touring programme. The 2026 Arts and Minds Festival, hosted at Maynooth University, explores the intersection of the arts, mental health and wellbeing, reinforcing the role of creativity in public discourse and social connection.
Nationwide initiatives ensure access to cultural experiences across all ages and communities. Bealtaine Festival celebrates creativity as we age through events across Ireland, reinforcing inclusive participation in the arts.
RT Supporting the Arts is committed to supporting artists, audiences and cultural organisations across the country, helping to bring the arts to wider communities. May's extensive programme reflects the strength, imagination and diversity of Ireland's creative sector, and RT Supporting the Arts is proud to help amplify these cultural experiences nationwide.
This May, RT Supporting the Arts invites you to immerse yourself in Ireland's vibrant cultural landscape. We encourage everyone to explore, attend, and enjoy the wealth of creativity on offer this month. For more information, rte.ie/culture
Events supported by the RT Supporting the Arts scheme this May:
Event Name Location Website
Dublin Dance Festival Dublin www.dublindancefestival.ie
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Waterford https://blackwatervalleyopera.ie
Fastnet Film Festival Cork www.fastnetfilmfestival.com
Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize Dublin https://photomuseumireland.ie
Ball Nights A Celebration of West Kerry Music Nationwide www.cuasmusic.com
Incognito Art Sale for Jack and Jill Ireland and International Online https://jackandjillstore.ie/pages/incognito
The House Must Win Dublin and Cork https://www.paviliontheatre.ie
Chamber Choir Ireland Spring-Summer 2026 Season Nationwide www.chamberchoirireland.com
Chamber Choir Ireland Spring-Summer 2026 Season Nationwide www.chamberchoirireland.com
William Blake: The Age of Romantic Fantasy Dublin www.nationalgallery.ie
Limerick Summer Proms 2026 Limerick www.uch.ie
Limerick Sings International Choral Festival Limerick & Clare https://www.limericksings.com/
2026 Arts and Minds Festival Kildare www.mu.ie/artsandmindsfestival
Cavan Arts Festival Cavan www.cavanartsfestival.ie
Culture Date with Dublin 8 Dublin www.culturedatewithdublin8.ie
Cavan Arts Festival Updated Application Cavan www.cavanartsfestival.ie
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