Allingham Arts Festival

Arts, music, history and poetry in the heart of Ballyshannon, County Donegal.

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Nov 4-8th, 2026

Allingham Arts Festival

The kindly spot,
the friendly town

Celebrating the arts locally and nationally, encouraging creativity across borders, in honour of the Ballyshannon poet William Allingham.

Nov. 4th - 8th
2026

Ballyshannon,
Co. Donegal

William Allingham manuscript

Five nights in November with writers Michael Harding, Elaine Feeney, Paul Howard, Róisín & Ann Ingle and others, music from Jack L. and Ár Séisiún Mór, Film, Drama and much more!

Plan Your Visit
Wednesday

Nov. 4th | Opening Night | CCBS Choir | The Wonder Wheel & More...

View Wed. Nov. 4th
Thursday

Nov. 5th | 4 Local Films | "A Quiet Love" | & More...

View Thurs. Nov. 5th
Friday

Nov. 6th | Ár Seisiún Mór | Johnny Gallagher | The Fifth Court | & More...

View Fri. Nov. 6th
Saturday

Nov. 7th | Elaine Feeney | Paul Howard | Róisín Ingle | & More...

View Sat. Nov. 7th
Sunday

Nov. 8th | Michael Harding | Ann Ingle | St. Anne's Concert | & More

View Sun. Nov. 8th
Michael Harding Sunday November 8th Allingham 2026 poster
Poster for Jack Lukeman Jack L in concert at the Allingham Arts Festival, November 7th 2026
Poster for Ar Seisiun Mor concert with Mairead Mooney from Altan Martin Mc Ginley Seamie O'Dowd, Robbie Fottrell, Bianca Rohleder on Friday November 6th 2026 at the Allingham Arts Festival
Poster for Elaine Feeney at the Allingham Arts Festival on November the 7th 2026
Paul Howard and Roisin Ingle event poster
Poster for 'John Mc Gahern A Writing Life' by Frank Shovlin at the Allingham Arts Festival on November 7th 2026
Poster for Ann Ingle in conversation with Roisin Ingle at the Allingham Arts Festival 2026
Poster for Johnny Gallagher at the ALlingham Arts Festival Nov. 6th featuring a bearded man sitting with a guitar looking at the ground.
Sean Beattie Saturday November 7th poster
Poster for Mike Jennings reading poetry at the Allingham Arts Festival featuring a photo of the poet in a suit smiling

Highlights of Allingham Arts 2026

Competitions

  1. 1.

    Poetry Competition

    View Details
  2. 2.

    Flash Fiction Competition

    View Details
  3. 3.

    Primary Schools Art & Writing Competitions

    View Details

Allingham Arts Festival

Nov. 4th – 8th 2026

Testimonials

Hear from our visitors, writers and artists about their Allingham Festival experience.

“Last week we attended the 2024 Allingham Festival. We loved it. In fact, after attending the opening reception and AI lecture, we were hooked and ended up going to see and hear almost all of the program events. They were all entertaining and thought provoking. Many times we felt humbled by the talent, expertise and intellect on display. But we weren’t surprised, as we attended the festival last year and it was equally impressive.
Thank you to the festival committee and the many artists, actors, writers, musicians, historians, journalists and other contributors that made the festival so wonderful again this year.
We are already looking forward to the 2025 Allingham festival!”

— Mary and Brook Kiddle Vancouver Island, Canada

“Thank you all committee members for, yet another, very enjoyable five days of wonderful and varied events. You were always so helpful as well as the Abbey Centre staff. Looking 4ward to next year. 🙏”

— Rosemarie Downey

“Thank you Allingham Arts Festival Committee.
It was a magnificent festival , a feast of wonderful entertainment. My sister, who visits every year , and I enjoyed every varied event....
We were impressed with the superior quality of local talent performing
I'm proud to live in this creative and talented community
Wow, well done Allingham Arts Committee 👏👏”

— Anne Lee

“Can I just say thank you to each and everyone who is part of the Allingham Festival committee. This year was the 1st year I attended the Allingham Festival and was made feel so welcome. My neighbours next door in Belleek also attended some events. Brilliant, well done. 👏”

— anonymous, FB DM

“Congratulations to all The Allingham Festival always a brilliant line up”

— Noelle Mc Alinden, Facebook

“A great festival 🙌”

— Bernie Masterson, Facebook

“Ar fheabhas Allingham! Clár suimiúil taitneamhach!”

— Caitlin Mhic Amhlaigh, Facebook

“Fantastic festival”

— John Travers, Facebook

The Allingham Festival is proudly supported by

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