Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival 2026: a practical guide

The Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival returns from Friday 9 to Sunday 18 October 2026 with theatre, film, music, exhibitions, talks and guided walks in Dublin and elsewhere in Ireland. The eighth edition is presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders with partner organisations.

For international residents, the programme offers an unusually accessible route into Irish history, contemporary cultural life and questions of belonging. Several events are free, while many ticketed events cost €10. Advance booking is recommended even where admission is free.

Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival 2026 at a glance

Start with the free launch in Sandycove

The festival opens on Friday 9 October at the Smashing Times centre in Sandycove. The free two-hour launch combines guest speakers, an artist talk, poetry, an exhibition and live performance. It is a useful first stop for anyone who wants an overview before choosing events across the rest of the programme.

Sandycove is served by DART and bus services. Allow time for the walk from the station, and check the individual booking page before travelling because a free ticket is still required.

Walk Dublin’s coastline through Irish history

Stories by the Sea on Saturday 10 October is a guided coastal storytelling walk from the Forty Foot bathing area towards the Roger Casement statue in Dún Laoghaire and back. The route pairs sea views with stories of Irish changemakers. Tickets cost €8–€15, and the event runs from 10.30am to noon.

A second history walk on Friday 16 October focuses on four revolutionary Irish women from the years 1916–1923. It starts outside Swan Leisure Centre at 2pm and also costs €8–€15. Both walks are strong choices for newcomers who want cultural context without committing to a full evening performance. Wear suitable shoes and check the weather forecast.

Free workshops, film and shared stories

On Sunday 11 October, the three-hour Feminist Utopias workshop uses applied theatre and participation to explore alternative futures. It is led by Ekaterina Schalmann and Evdokia Romanova at the Sandycove venue and is free with advance booking.

The following evening, Pesta Babi: Colonialism in our Time is screened at the Pearse Centre. The documentary examines Indigenous communities in South Papua and the effect of a national development project on land, livelihoods and culture. The screening is followed by a question-and-answer session and is free to book.

The programme also includes a free Theatre for a Shared Humanity workshop and improvised performance on 12 October. On 17 October, multidisciplinary artist Aoife Ó Tiompánaigh presents Studio Songs, a free music, dance and artist-talk event in Sandycove.

Events about migration, identity and belonging

International residents may be particularly interested in An Immigrant’s Story by Wanjiru Kamuyu at Dance Cork Firkin Crane on 15 October. The solo dance work examines place, belonging and otherness. Check the venue directly for current ticket availability and accessibility information.

Other programme strands address political representation, LGBTQ+ life, Irish resistance during the Second World War, climate justice and the work of human-rights defenders. The programme is broad, so choose by theme, location and booking requirements rather than trying to cover everything.

End with music, song and poetry

The festival closes on Sunday 18 October with An Cruinniú | The Gathering, a bilingual evening of music, song, poetry and conversation. The event features CAS with special guests Hilary Bow and Mary Moynihan. It runs from 7pm to 9pm at the Smashing Times centre and costs €10.

Booking and practical details

• Festival dates: 9–18 October 2026.
• Main Dublin venue: Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, 30 Sandycove Road, Sandycove, Dublin, A96 V9P1.
• Tickets: Book through the individual event links in the official programme. Free events may still require a reservation.
• Accessibility: Contact the organiser or venue before booking if you need step-free access, seating or other arrangements.
• Programme changes: Recheck the official listing on the day of travel.

See the official Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival programme for the complete schedule and booking links.

Featured image: Sunrise at the Forty Foot in Sandycove, photographed by Giuseppe Milo, 4 February 2018. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. The image has been cropped for display.