CraicFest 2026 Returns to New York City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CraicFest 2026 Returns to New York City

March 4–7, 2026 | Multiple Venues Across Manhattan

New York, NY — January 22, 2026: CraicFest, New York City’s leading celebration of
contemporary Irish film, music, and culture, returns this March with its most ambitious
program to date. Running March 4–7, 2026, CraicFest 2026 will bring U.S. premieres,
New York City premieres, live music, Irish dance, filmmaker Q&As, and post-screening
parties to venues across Manhattan.

CraicFest 2026 launches on Tuesday, March 4, with the legendary CraicFest Kickoff
Party at Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar. Over the years, this opening night has become a
cornerstone of the festival, known for packed rooms, surprise guests, and unforgettable
performances. Past kickoff nights have featured iconic Irish acts including
Rubberbandits and KNEECAP, setting the tone for what CraicFest opening night
represents.

This year’s kickoff blends contemporary Irish music and cutting-edge dance, featuring
live music from Graham Smith, whose songwriting bridges tradition and modern Irish
sound, alongside a powerful Irish dance performance by Kait Rock, fresh from the stage
of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour. The event is free with RSVP, though capacity is
limited and early arrival is encouraged.

“CraicFest 2026 brings together a strong mix of Irish film, music, and storytelling that
reflects where Irish culture is right now,” said Terence Mulligan, Festival Producer.
“We’re proud to present a program that includes major premieres alongside new and
emerging voices, and to share these stories with New York audiences in a way that
feels accessible, relevant, and communal.”

Opening Night Film: SAIPAN: A World Cup Feud — NYC Premiere

CraicFest officially opens on Wednesday, March 5, with the New York City Premiere of
SAIPAN at Village East by Angelika.

Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, SAIPAN revisits the explosive events
surrounding Ireland’s 2002 World Cup campaign, when tensions between team captain

Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy erupted into one of the most divisive moments
in Irish sporting history.
More than a sports documentary, SAIPAN is a compelling exploration of leadership,
professionalism, national identity, and the weight of representing a country on the world stage.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the directors and an official after-
party at Solas.

Celebrating New Voices: Irish Shorts Night

On Thursday, March 6, CraicFest presents Irish Shorts Night, a curated showcase of
bold new voices in Irish cinema. The program features award-winning shorts including
Mouse (directed by Rosie Barrett, starring Lynn Raffery), I DO (Joseph Jones),
HomeTime (Jonathan Lambert), and Gale Force (Tara Hegarty).

Local filmmakers will be in attendance, offering audiences the opportunity to engage
directly with the creative voices behind the work. The evening concludes with the official
after-party at Factory 380.

Family Programming & Cultural Storytelling

On Friday, March 7, CraicFest welcomes families and young audiences with Kids

Program: Best of Animated Shorts, a lively, family-friendly screening featuring award-
winning Irish animated and live-action shorts. The program includes beloved Oscar®-
nominated favorites such as Give Up Yer Aul Sins and Granny O’Grimm, offering humor,
imagination, and accessible storytelling for audiences of all ages. Full program details to
be announced.

Powerful Documentaries & U.S. Premieres

March 7 also features a compelling lineup of U.S. premieres:

• • BP Fallon: Rock ’n’ Roll Wizard: Directed by Niall Carver, this documentary
    charts the extraordinary life of legendary music figure BP Fallon, whose journey
    intersects with artists including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, T. Rex, U2, and a late-
    career creative partnership with Jack White.
    
    
  • Where the Road Meets the Sky: A deeply reflective experimental film by John
    Connors, exploring Irish Traveller history through the life and voice of civil rights
    activist Chrissy Donaghue Ward. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with
    Connors and producer Tiernan Williams.
    
    
  • The Negotiator: Directed by Trevor Birney, this documentary chronicles the role
    of George J. Mitchell in brokering the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, examining
    diplomacy, patience, and the long road to peace. Birney will attend the screening.

Closing Night: Ballroom Boom — U.S. Premiere

CraicFest 2026 concludes on Friday, March 7, with the U.S. Premiere of Ballroom Boom
at Village East by Angelika, followed immediately by the official CraicFest Closing Night
Party.

Directed by Billy McGrath and narrated by Adam Clayton, the film explores the rise and
fall of Ireland’s showband era, a musical movement that shaped generations of
performers and influenced artists from Van Morrison and Rory Gallagher to Oasis and
The Smiths.

Both Billy McGrath and Adam Clayton will attend the screening, making this a landmark
closing night event.

CraicFest 2026 is proudly supported by Fitzpatrick Hotel, Screen Ireland, Culture
Ireland, Irish Consulate NYC, Department of Cultural Affairs, Northern Ireland Bureau
and the Emigrant Support Programme.

Tickets are on sale today, Thursday, January 22 at 11am. For full details visit
www.thecraicfest.com.

Press Contact
Michelle E. McCarthy
MCC Marketing Group
Michelle@MCCMarketingGroup.com
C: 917-753-9970