Dublin's five-day St. Patrick's Festival 2020 announces its first shows

Annie Mac, Kojaque, Soulé, Lisa Hannigan, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Jessy Lanza, and This Is How We Fly with Iarla Ó Lionáird among the first acts announced for the St. Patrick’s Festival 2020.

One of the world’s biggest cultural celebrations, St Patrick’s Festival returns to Dublin this March 13 - 17, 2020. Running over five great days and nights, the festival will feature many of Ireland’s leading contemporary and traditional artists and performers. The packed 2020 programme will offer hundreds of events throughout Dublin from music, performance, art, spoken word and literature to tours, trails, food events, family fun, and much more.

The first shows for St. Patrick’s Festival 2020 are now on sale and Irish and international artists confirmed include Annie Mac, Kojaque, Soulé and guests at Guinness Storehouse on March 14, where guests will have one of the first opportunities to experience the extended panoramic views over Dublin in Gravity Bar.

This is How We Fly with special guest Iarla Ó Lionáird runs at Liberty Hall Theatre, on March 15, while the World Premiere of James Joyce’s Pomes Penyeach with Lisa Hannigan and guests will be at The National Concert Hall, on March 16. Colm Mac Con Iomaire with the Contempo Quartet perform his latest album, The River Holds Its Breath, at Vicar Street, on March 16 and Canadian electro artist Jessy Lanza kicks off the brand-new Festival After Dark series with a show at Lost Lane, on March 13.

A host of festival events and collaborations will be announced over the next three months, with details of the St Patrick’s Festival Parade coming in January. Special Parade Grandstand Seating and Lunch Packages offering tiered seating along the parade route and post parade lunch at The Westin Hotel, Dublin are on sale now at the St Patrick’s Festival website, with many Grandstands already sold out.

A full programme announcement is due in February and will include the return of the Festival Village and the World Food Village at Merrion Square.

Planning to spend time at the St. Patrick's Festival 2020? Check out the highlights from 2019:

Here are more details about the first shows announced for St. Patrick's Festival 2020:

Annie Mac, Kojaque, Soulé & Guests 

Saturday, March 14, 2020, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, €30 from stpatricksfestival.ie

Internationally renowned DJ and broadcaster Annie Mac returns home to Dublin to host and perform at the iconic Guinness Storehouse. Hailing from Dundrum, Annie has grown from her club culture roots into a global force in music broadcasting, event curating and DJing. Peerless as a preeminent tastemaker in contemporary music, Annie’s BBC Radio 1 shows draw daily listeners in their millions from across the world.  

Explosive Dublin rapper Kojaque mixes sampling and jazz beats with dynamic, poetic lyrics, showcasing life as a modern Dubliner. An established filmmaker and visual artist as well as a musician, Kojaque’s multimedia performances are brutal, honest and beautiful. London born; Dublin raised Soulé is the leading force in a new wave of emerging Irish music. Her bass-heavy electronic pop and soft soul vocals have garnered her multimillion streams on Spotify and a growing fanbase at home and abroad. 

Hosted at the Home of Guinness, guests will be invited to explore all seven floors of the Guinness Storehouse for a uniquely immersive experience. Guests will also be amongst the first to visit the newly revamped Gravity Bar, which now presents extended panoramic views over Dublin, where DJs will entertain crowds around the main event.

This show is strictly over 18’s. Enjoy Guinness sensibly. Visit drinkaware.ie 

In association with AMP and Guinness Storehouse.

This is How we Fly with special guest Iarla Ó Lionáird

Sunday, March 15, 2020, Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin, €20 from stpatricksfestival.ie

Part traditional music, part contemporary composition, part dance, This is How we Fly has always defied genre and category.

To mark their ten-year anniversary in 2020, the acclaimed contemporary folk group which features Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Seán Mac Erlaine, Nic Gareiss and Petter Berndalen, collaborate with the celebrated Irish singer Iarla Ó Lionáird.

St. Patrick’s Festival is proud to present the world premiere of this ambitious commission from Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, which weaves an imaginative song cycle around County Meath’s long literary tradition echoing Ireland’s ancient literary history as well as looking to contemporary sources.  

Commissioned by Solstice Arts Centre with support from the Arts Council of Ireland.

The World Premiere of James Joyce’s Pomes Penyeach with Lisa Hannigan & Guests

Monday, March 16, 2020, The National Concert Hall, Dublin, from €27.50 from nch.ie

Ireland’s biggest contemporary multi-award-winning folk artist Lisa Hannigan will perform a musical interpretation of James Joyce’s Pomes Penyeach.

In collaboration with Matthew Nolan, Adrian Crowley, Sean Mac Erlaine and Cora Venus Lunny, Joyce’s collection of 13 short poems will be given a stunning musical tribute in this world premiere event.

Supported by Dublin Airport Authority. 

Colm Mac Con Iomaire with the Contempo Quartet

Monday, March 16, 2020, Vicar Street, Dublin, €28 from ticketmaster.ie.

In a crowded field of outstanding Irish fiddle players and interpreters of traditional music, Colm Mac Con Iomaire is unique. The multi-talented musician, performer, songwriter and composer will perform his hugely successful album The River Holds Its Breath/Tost ar an Abhainn and more. Colm’s special guests on the night will be the exceptional Contempo Quartet.

Festival After Dark: Jessy Lanza

Friday 13 March 2020, Lost Lane, Dublin, €10.00 from eventbrite.ie

A new addition for St. Patrick’s Festival 2020, Festival After Dark is a series of late-night, eclectic happenings taking place across Dublin and featuring cutting edge Irish and international DJs, club nights and live shows. Festival After Dark kicks off with a buzzing live set by Canadian electro artist Jessy Lanza.   

For tickets and information see www.stpatricksfestival.ie and follow #SPF2020 #StPatricksFestival #LoveDublin.