Faoin Tuath queer festival returns to The Burren
Faoin Tuath will return for its second weekend for queer people featuring “practical skill-sharing workshops, live music, DJs, traditional music sessions, film screenings, shared meals and … a Céilí Mór.”
It takes place at The Common Knowledge Centre, Kilfenora in County Clare over the Bealtaine bank holiday weekend from Friday May 2nd to Sunday May 4th.
Lined up for participation this year are LGBTQ+ historian and activist Tonie Walsh, who will also be DJing of course, fiddler Ultan O’Brien, singer-songwriter Molly Sterling and performance artist Venus Patel among others, as listed below.
There will be workshops in Green Rope Making, caprentry, fermentation, queer ecology, planting and growing, queer Irish language classes, field recordings, queer shed and more.
After last years success the Céili will return hosted by special guest callers August Kirwin and Kim Kennedy and the Faoin Tuath Band—featuring Aoife Hammond, Steve Finnerty, and Laura Ugur.
Keepers of the Secrets –A visual sculpture exhibition and artist talk from Artist John Byrne also takes place. Film screenings and more to be announced.
Live Performances & Céilí
The festival’s dynamic lineup features musicians, DJs, and performers, including:
Tonie Walsh – A special DJ set from the legendary LGBTQ+ historian and activist.
Ultan O’Brien – Irish musician known for their experimental approach to traditional music
Molly Sterling – Acclaimed artist blending haunting vocals with deep, introspective songwriting.
R.AGGS– A performance from R.AGGS – the moniker of Ray Aggs a Glasgow-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter renowned for their distinctive guitar style, which blends elements of West African highlife with post-punk influences.
Boy Lucid – Dreamy experiment pop music project from Tom Costello
Venus Patel – An engaging outdoor performance exploring themes of identity, monstrosity, and queer resilience.
Lily Torode – Dance and performance art exploring movement and queernes
Zahra Haji Fath Ali Tehrani – DJ set blending hypnotic soundscapes and banging tunes
Tickets & Accommodation
Full weekend tickets: €190 – includes access to all events, select workshops, Friday dinner, Saturday brunch/dinner, and Sunday breakfast, lunch,dinner, monday breakfast and all workshops and events
Limited access tickets are available free of charge—contact [email protected] for details.
On-site accommodation: Private and shared rooms from €35 per night; camping/van parking from €25 for weekend
Booking link.
“Faoin Tuath is a space where queer community, rural life, and hands-on creativity meet. This festival is an invitation to connect, learn, and celebrate together in a stunning natural setting.”
Fionn Kidney, Co-founder of Common Knowledge.
Aoife Hammond, Queer Sheds.
“We wanted to create an event that we’d love to attend ourselves—a mix of practical skill-sharing, live music, and a welcoming community in rural Ireland. There’s something really powerful about coming together in the countryside and celebrating queer joy in this way.”
About Faoin Tuath & Queer Sheds
Faoin Tuath is a not-for-profit festival organised by the Queer Sheds crew. The festival aims to create a safe, inclusive, and nature-connected space for LGBTQ+ people in rural Ireland. Queer Sheds is a new initiative addressing social isolation among LGBTQ+ individuals in rural areas, inspired by the Men’s Sheds movement. With support from Clare County Council through the Dormant Accounts Fund.
