March 4
CraicFest 2026 Kick Off Party
6:30pm: Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar
The legendary CraicFest Kickoff Party is where the festival begins. Over the years, this opening night has become a cornerstone of CraicFest with packed venues, unforgettable performances, bringing Irish to life in New York City. Past kickoff shows have featured iconic acts including Rubberbandits and KNEECAP, setting the bar for what a CraicFest opening night is all about!
On March 4, we gather once again at Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar to launch CraicFest 2026 with a night that blends contemporary Irish music, world-class dance, and pure craic.
Music Guest: Graham Smith
Graham Smith brings contemporary Irish folk and acoustic storytelling to the CraicFest stage. Known for heartfelt songwriting and an unmistakable live presence, his music bridges tradition and modern Irish sound, an authentic and powerful way to open the festival.
Irish Dance Performance: Kait Rock
Internationally acclaimed Irish dancer Kait Rock pushes the boundaries of traditional form. Blending precision, athleticism, and modern expression, her performances bring Irish dance into bold, contemporary spaces while honoring its deep cultural roots. Fresh off the stage of Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour, we are excited to welcome Kait back to CraicFest.
Surprise Music Guest – TBA
Capacity is limited. Kickoff events have historically filled quickly. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.
This is a free event but space is limited, please RSVP:
March 5
Opening Night Film & Party
Saipan: A World Cup Feud – NYC Premiere
7:00pm: Village East by Angelika
CraicFest 2026 officially opens on March 5th with the New York City Premiere of SAIPAN: A World Cup Feud at Village East by Angelika.
This special opening night screening marks the film’s first-ever presentation to NYC audiences, making it a landmark moment for both the festival and Irish cinema in New York City.
SAIPAN: A World Cup Feud revisits the infamous 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 controversial moments in Irish sporting history.
Set against the pressure of international competition, the film explores how preparation, professionalism, leadership, and personality collided - creating a moment that split public opinion and became etched into Ireland’s cultural memory.
More than a sports story, SAIPAN is a powerful examination of standards, principles, and what it means to represent a nation on the world stage.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Directors Glen Leyburn & Lisa Barros D’Sa
March 6
Best of Shorts
7:00pm: Village East by Angelika
Showcasing award winning shorts such as: Mouse – Directed by Rosie Barrett & starring Lynn Raffery, I DO - Directed by Joseph Jones, HomeTime – Directed by Jonathan Lambert and Gale Force directed by Tara Hegarty.
+ Ticket includes After Party at Factory 380 | 380 3rd Ave. Complimentary beer & appetizers from 9-11pm. Local filmmakers to attend.
March 7
Kids Program
11:30am: Village East by Angelika
Award winning Best of Short films for kids and families. Animation and Live Action. Previous short films are Oscar Nominated shorts such as Give Up Yer Aul Sins and Granny O’Grimm. This fun short program is designed for kids and families. $15 tickets
March 7
BP Fallon: Rock'n'Roll Wizard
1:00pm: Village East by Angelika
From The Beatles to Jack White - one man’s rock ’n’ roll journey!
Directed by Niall Carver, BP Fallon: Rock’n’Roll Wizard traces the remarkable arc of Fallon’s life, from the explosive rise of British rock through to unexpected late-career reinvention.
Along the way, Fallon’s story intersects with some of the most iconic names in modern music: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, T. Rex, Johnny Thunders, and U2; artists who didn’t just define eras, but rewrote the rules.
When many would have slowed down, Fallon took a sharp left turn later in life, forging a creative partnership with Jack White and Third Man Records, proving that reinvention has no age limit and that true rock ’n’ roll spirit never retires.
March 7
Where the Road Meets the Sky
3:00pm: Village East by Angelika
Where the Road Meets the Sky is a layered and deeply reflective experimental film funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, examining the intersection of time, language, and memory through the lived experience of Irish Travellers.
At the center of the film stands Chrissy Donaghue Ward, grandmother of the film’s writer and director John Connors, a towering figure in Irish Traveller history. An unwavering matriarch, civil rights activist, and the last Shanakee of the open road from the Donaghue, Ward, and Connors clans, Chrissy is the keeper of a culture shaped by movement, oral storytelling, and survival.
March 7
The Negotiator – U.S. Premier
5:00pm: Village East by Angelika
The Negotiator is a feature documentary telling the extraordinary story of George J. Mitchell, the U.S. senator who played a central role in brokering the 1998 Good Friday Agreement — a landmark moment that brought an end to decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.
Charting Mitchell’s journey from Maine to Washington D.C., the film traces his political rise to nearly six years as U.S. Senate Majority Leader, before his appointment by President Bill Clinton as Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.
March 7
Ballroom Boom – U.S. Premier
7:00pm: Village East by Angelika
The music that filled the ballrooms — and changed everything.
Ballroom Boom brings CraicFest 2026 to a close with a powerful, music-driven documentary - followed by a closing night party celebrating Irish sound, storytelling, and legacy.
US’s Adam Clayton explores the extraordinary rise and fall of Ireland’s showband era, when over 700 bands and thousands of musicians performed live in ballrooms across Ireland almost every night of the week during the 1960s.
Director Billy McGrath & Adam Clayton to attend screening!!
+ Ticket includes Screening and After party at Solas | E9th St. off 2nd Ave..