The countdown is on for one of Ireland’s most vibrant music gatherings as the Limerick Jazz Festival returns from Wednesday 24th to Sunday 28th September 2025. Now in its fourteenth year, the festival continues to bring the very best of Irish and international talent to the city, filling venues with rhythm, melody, and improvisation.
This year’s programme is notable for its strong focus on the voice, with an impressive line-up of singers headlining the bill. At the Belltable, renowned UK vocalist Ian Shaw will present When Bowie Met Joni: The Songs of David Bowie and Joni Mitchell, a performance that promises both nostalgia and reinvention. Also from the UK, Brigitte Beraha will appear at the People’s Museum of Limerick, joined by acclaimed guitarist Ant Law for an intimate evening of music. Closer to home, Dolan’s Pub will host an exciting series of concerts featuring Irish singers including Deborah Swiney (Memphis), long-time festival friend Nigel Mooney, Emilie Conway, and Dublin’s Cormac Kenevey.
Instrumental jazz is equally well represented. Audiences can look forward to the high-energy fusion of Magical Dog, the return of the award-winning Julian Siegel Quartet from the UK, and the first Irish appearance by Greek vibraphonist Dimitris Angelakis and his quartet. A particularly special moment will be the homecoming of Rory Conneally, the teenage pianist who captured national attention last year when he won the 2024 Young Irish Jazz Musician competition at the University Concert Hall in UL.
Alongside the main stage events, the festival will once again bring music into the heart of the city with its Jazz Trail, a series of free performances in venues including Steamboat Music and the George and Savoy Hotels. These pop-up gigs are a festival favourite, offering a chance for audiences to experience world-class jazz in more informal settings.
Reflecting on this year’s programme, John Daly, Chair of Limerick Jazz Society, said:
“We are delighted to announce a really wonderful programme for our 14th Limerick Jazz Festival. With fringe events popping up in even more venues across the city, we're reaching out to every music lover. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Arts Council and Limerick City and County Council for making this possible.”
With an eclectic mix of headline concerts, free community events, and performances by both emerging and established talent, Limerick Jazz Festival 2025 is set to be a highlight of the cultural calendar.
For full details and tickets, visit www.limerickjazz.com.