Jul 16, 2026
Join us for a special Opening Night of the Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend with Elle Marie O Dwyer Music
An evening of song, story and tradition to begin a weekend celebrating the music, culture and lasting legacy of Sean McCarthy in the heart of North Kerry.
This special concert takes place at Teach Siamsa Finuge and is proudly sponsored by the Horgan family, Finuge, in loving memory of Claire Vivian (Horgan), whose memory and connection to the Finuge community is fondly remembered 
As we look ahead to this year’s festival, our new website is now live — with tickets available and Ballad & Storytelling entries now open online for the first time.
Tickets available now via Eventbrite
www.finugeweekend.com
#finuge #seanmccarthymemorialweekend #kerryevents #supportlocal #singersongwriter
Jul 14, 2026
Looking for a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon?
Join us at Sheehan’s Thatched Cottage, Finuge for our Craft Fair & Car Boot Sale.
Sunday, 2nd August
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Come along, browse the stalls, pick up a bargain, and enjoy the atmosphere in the beautiful surroundings of Sheehan’s Thatched Cottage.
Interested in having a stall? We’d love to hear from you! For all enquiries, please email info@finugeweekend.com.
Jul 13, 2026
Entries for this year’s Sean McCarthy Ballad Competition are now officially closed.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. We have been delighted by the fantastic response and are grateful to each songwriter for sharing their original work with us. Your passion for songwriting and Irish ballad tradition is what makes this competition so special.
Our adjudication panel will now begin the shortlisting process, and we will be in contact with the finalists during the week.
Thank you once again to everyone who entered, and we wish you the very best of luck. We look forward to welcoming the finalists to Finuge as part of the Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend.
Jun 28, 2026
We’re putting the finishing touches to this year’s Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend programme, and excitement is building for another unforgettable August Bank Holiday in Finuge.
Tickets for our weekend events are now on sale on Eventbrite! Search “Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend”
Stay tuned as we reveal the full programme over the coming days. We can’t wait to welcome you for a weekend of music, song, storytelling and community.
#seanmccarthyweekend #finuge #northkerry #festivalweekend #visitkerry
Jun 22, 2026
The August Bank Holiday Weekend may still be a few weeks away, but preparations are well underway for another memorable Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend in Finuge.
From Teach Siamsa to the unique atmosphere of Sheehan’s Thatched House, these special venues will once again host a celebration of music, song, storytelling and community.
Tickets for Friday night concert with Elle Marie O’Dwyer and Ballad & Storytelling events are now on sale on Eventbrite – “Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend”
Your support through the festival helps us continue to grow and develop the festival, and we look forward to welcoming you to Finuge this August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Apr 2, 2026
We are delighted to welcome Elle Marie O’Dwyer in concert as part of this year’s Sean McCarthy Festival.
Renowned for her powerful vocal presence and deep connection to the Irish song tradition, Elle Marie has earned a growing reputation as one of the most compelling voices of her generation. Her singing is rooted in storytelling — shaped by heritage, sincerity and a profound respect for the craft of the Irish ballad.
This special concert will celebrate the timeless tradition of song so closely associated with Sean McCarthy, honouring the legacy of one of Ireland’s great ballad writers while continuing that living tradition for today’s audiences.
Audiences can expect an evening rich in emotion, narrative and musical depth — songs that resonate long after the final note.
Elle Marie O’Dwyer hails from Freemount in North Cork and is widely recognised as one of the leading voices in Irish traditional singing today.
With numerous All-Ireland accolades in traditional singing to her name, Elle Marie began her recording career in 2012 and has since released four acclaimed albums. Following the completion of a Master’s degree in Irish Traditional Music Performance, she also published a collection of traditional songs for young singers — reflecting her deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of performers.
Her career has taken her to stages across Ireland and around the world. She has performed in iconic venues including Croke Park and Áras an Uachtaráin, and has shared the stage with renowned artists such as The High Kings, Seán Keane, Cherish the Ladies, Maura O’Connell, and Liam O’Connor.
Elle Marie is also a member of Women of Éire, who have recorded Ireland’s Call, further showcasing her contribution to contemporary Irish musical collaborations.
Currently, she performs as one of the lead vocalists with the world-renowned stage production Gaelic Roots, based in Killarney, Co. Kerry, and remains a much sought-after performer at festivals nationwide.
Passing on the singing tradition is central to her work. She teaches weekly classes for young singers and serves as a tutor at festivals both at home and abroad, ensuring that the rich tradition of Irish song continues to thrive.
Concert Details
📅 Friday 31st July
⏰ 8.30pm
📍 Teach Siamsa, Finuge, Co. Kerry
🎫 Admission €20 + booking fee
🎟 Tickets are on sale now 🎟
Booking is strongly advised as seating is limited.Join us for what promises to be a memorable evening celebrating Irish ballad, heritage and song as part of the Sean McCarthy Festival.
