Beyond The Pale has announced its most comprehensive arts programme to date, which will feature ‘world premieres, Irish festival firsts, artist‑led curation, and gloriously outlandish behaviour’ over the course of the three-day festival.
Overall, this year’s festival programme, running from 12 to 14 June at Glendalough Estate, Co. Wicklow, will feature more than 90 artworks and events, as well as over 600 artists and performers across 12 stages and areas.
“Rooted in the silly, the sexy and the sublime, this year’s arts line-up is full of some of the best artists and performers on the island today, who will have your feet itching to dance, your belly sore from laughing, and your heart full,” commented Jenny Jennings, Beyond The Pale Arts programme director and co‑creator of THISISPOPBABY.
“The arts programme takes its cues from the extraordinary history, fauna and flora of the land, as well as the juicy time in the calendar it takes place. It offers a space to gather and play, to reconnect with nature and ritual, to ignite imagination and stir big feelings…and to let loose and have a ball with your pals.”
Two major commissioned works form part of the programme, including a digital artwork by Sergey Khadshava, along with a series of bespoke festival flags entitled Undercurrent, by AmyRose Bryan.
New areas introduced this year include the Burning Circus, a space dedicated to fire arts, and the Global Solidarity Hub, which will host workshops and discussions led by organisations such as GOAL Global, Trócaire, and Sightsavers Ireland. Existing areas have also been expanded, including Hi Pony!, which focuses on aerial performance, and Bang Bike, which returns with an interactive installation.
Scheduled events over the weekend also include Grianstad: The Trip by Una Mullally, a participatory sports-based fundraiser titled Penos for Palestine, and a guided birdwatching session with Seán Ronayne. Elsewhere, a closing performance at the Puc Fada venue will feature an as-yet unnamed special guest.
Artist-led collectives also play a key role in the programme, with WRGRIOT set to host a poetry event, Steo Wall presenting a music programme linked to Irish Traveller culture, and Outstraight Records curating a series of hip-hop performances.
Other highlights include Haus of WIG (pictured), Monsieur Pompier’s Travelling Freakshow, Cabáiste Cabaret, Climbwallscabaret and the return of RATHAUS, with their signature queer underground club night. And much much more. 🙂
The arts programme is structured around three thematic strands, entitled Outlandish Behaviour, Juicy Ideas, and Ultimate Craic.
Food and wellness offerings will also complement the festival lineup, with restaurants including Host, Reggie’s, and Ibíle set to feature, as well as the return of the Acushla wellness area.
Tickets for Beyond The Pale 2026 are now on sale – for details, as well as information about this year’s lineup, log on to www.itsbeyondthepale.ie.
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