Irish Arts Center has announced its 2026-27 season, bringing some of Ireland’s leading musicians, dancers, actors and visual artists to New York City from September 2026 through June 2027.
Among the music highlights are Villagers’ first New York performances in a decade, Irish fiddler Martin Hayes’ second St. Patrick’s Eve celebration at Carnegie Hall and appearances from Irish-French singer Camille O’Sullivan. The lineup also includes North American dance premieres, a spring visual arts exhibition, literary events and the return of the Tony Award-winning theater company Druid.
Villagers Return After a Decade
Irish indie folk project Villagers, led by singer-songwriter Conor J. O’Brien, will return to New York City for the first time in a decade with a three-night residency at Irish Arts Center from May 6-8.
Additionally, Belfast singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside will perform on Oct. 4 following the release of a new album and an international tour.
Martin Hayes Quartet Heads to Carnegie Hall
Award-winning Irish fiddler Martin Hayes will bring his St. Patrick’s Eve celebration back to Carnegie Hall on March 16. He will be joined by the Martin Hayes Quartet, featuring guitarist Kyle Sanna, violist and violinist Liz Knowles, and bass clarinetist Doug Wieselman.
The evening will also feature pianist Thomas Bartlett, who performs as Doveman, and contemporary folk duo Ye Vagabonds. The performance follows last year’s sold-out inaugural concert and extends a multi-year collaboration among Carnegie Hall, Irish Arts Center and Askonas Holt.
Concert Series Continue
Irish-French singer Camille O’Sullivan will return to Irish Arts Center from June 8-12 for a five-night engagement with pianist Feargal Murray. The intimate concert series will feature selections from O’Sullivan’s acclaimed interpretive repertoire. She previously performed as part of the opening celebrations for the center’s current Hell’s Kitchen home in 2021.
The 2026-27 season will also continue several recurring programs, including the Big City Folk Song Club, Café Concert Series and Traditional Irish Sessions. Hosted by Irish songwriter Niall Connolly, the Big City Folk Song Club showcases new songs and emerging performers, while the Traditional Irish Sessions bring musicians and audiences together for free evenings of Irish music at the Devlin Café.
Beyond the Music
The upcoming season also features theater, dance, visual arts and literary programming. Among the highlights is the North American premiere of Oona Doherty’s Specky Clark, a fantastical, biographical work inspired by her great-great-grandfather’s arrival in Belfast. The production runs from Oct. 25 through Nov. 15, 2026.
Later in the season, Michael Keegan-Dolan brings 1975 / Naoi Déag Seachtó Cúig to the center from April 15-25. The lineup also includes a major theatrical revival, a new spring exhibition and the return of the Irish Arts Center PoetryFest.
Tony Award-winning theater company Druid will return with a double bill of J. M. Synge’s Riders to the Sea and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth from Feb. 18 through March 21. The production served as the centerpiece of the company’s 50th anniversary season.
The visual arts program will feature Ag Cur Le Chéile, a spring exhibition on view from Feb. 4 through June 12, 2027, with work by Belfast-based Array Collective and Irish painters Geraldine O’Neill and Sinéad Ní Mhaonaigh. The season will also include the 17th annual Irish Arts Center PoetryFest.
Tickets and additional information about IAC’s 2026-27 season are available on the organization’s website.
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