A quietness descends

As autumn deepens and the evenings grow quieter on Leeside, a warm glow is building in the heart of the city as a much-loved winter festival rekindles for its sixth year.

Quiet Lights, running from 20-23 November, shines a spotlight on boundary-pushing Irish and international artists working across folk, traditional, and experimental sounds.

Set in some of Cork’s most cherished venues, including Live at St Luke’s, Triskel Arts Centre, Coughlan’s, MTU Cork School of Music, and plugd, the festival offers a space for audiences to gather in warmth, reflection, and discovery as the city begins its gentle turn towards winter.

Previously announced headliners include Icelandic collective Múm, performing a rare live show; festival founding member and acclaimed cellist Gyða Valtýsdóttir in a double bill with celebrated American harpist Mary Lattimore; Ireland’s singular folk voice Lisa O’Neill; and the bold, genre-defying English songwriter Rich(ard) Dawson.

Headliners will be joined by an exceptional line-up of newly announced artists and intimate shows across the city.

Festival Director Jonathan Pearson said: “Myself and the rest of the team are really excited to share the full line-up for Quiet Lights 2025. What began with our St Luke’s headliners has expanded into a programme that feels rich with collaboration, intimacy, and artistic depth.

“From long-held ambitions like welcoming Múm and Gyða to Cork, to the extraordinary tradition-rooted experiments of Caoimhín O Raghallaigh, Aoife Ní Bhriain, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, and more, this year’s festival invites audiences to journey through the many shapes that folk and experimental music can take. We can’t wait welcome you to Cork city this November.”

The festival kicks off with two shows on 20 November. Niall Breslin will play Triskel Arts Centre from 7.30pm (€31), while Caoimhín O Raghallaigh plays Coughlan’s, also from 7.30pm (€25).

Day two, 21 November, bring three great shows. Rich(ard) Dawson with Elaine Howley will play Live at St Luke’s from 7.30pm (€28), while Iarla Ó Lionáird, Cormac McCarthy, and Caoimhín O Raghallaigh play Triskel from 7.30pm (€32.50). Later on, Joanna Mattrey and Dan Walsh will perform in plugd from 9.30pm (€15).

The third day gets underway a bit earlier with Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy at MTU Cork School of Music from 4pm (€20), followed by a double bill of Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O'Brien with Lucia and Maria at Coughlan’s from 5pm (€28). That evening, Lisa O'Neill and Elaine Malone will play Live at St Luke’s from 7.30pm (€35).

The final day, 23 November, will spoil us with four amazing shows starting at 1pm with Mary Lattimore and Gyða Valtýsdóttir performing at Live at St Luke’s (€22). Later in the afternoon, How I Became A Wave will play Coughlan’s from 5pm (€20), followed by Múm with Gemma Doherty at Live at St Luke’s from 7.30pm (€28). The night, and the festival, will be capped by Xavi Contraband who play plugd from 9pm (€15).

For more information and to book, visit quietlights.net.