Kíla set to headline free concert in Connolly Barracks this September

Culture Night Late comes to Longford Town

Press Release: Monday, 1 September 2025 

The award-winning band, Kíla are set to headline a free late-night concert in Longford Town for Culture Night celebrations on Friday, 19 September as part of ‘The Blind Fiddle Master’s Concert’ – which is a homage to Longford’s premier trad musician – Thomas Kernan from Drumlish.

Funded through the Art’s Council of Ireland’s Culture Night Late Award – The Blind Fiddle Master’s Concert will be a regional highlight of the culture night celebrations. The event will involve musicians and artists from diverse musical, visual art and cultural backgrounds including the Yershova Sisters – a classically trained quintet from Ukraine via Kerry and Longford’s premier Ceili band - Banna Céilí Béal Átha na Muc. 

Headlining the concert are the internationally renowned Irish folk group – Kíla. Along with playing their own music, the performing musicians will honour the Blind Fiddler Kernan’s legacy by performing his tunes – many of which have not been performed in many decades.

The event is supported by Longford County Council, Creative Ireland and Longford Night-Time Economy and Longford Tourism.

Expert in the Fiddler Kernan tradition, Dr Conor Ward said, “Thomas "Blind" Kernan (1807-87) of Drumlish was the figurehead of Irish Traditional fiddle music in County Longford in the 19th century. The enduring fiddle tradition he pioneered led to the emergence of a strong show band era from the 1950s onwards in his native Longford and also in his own family, most notably his great-grandnephew, the Country and Western star Declan Nerney."

In tandem with the live music concert, three visual artists have also been commissioned to create a digital projection mapping and art piece for the concert site. The projection piece created by Mary Fleming and Sergii Khazdava will project in tandem with the live music performances.

The Blind Fiddle Master’s Concert will provide the finale for a series of broader Culture Night events that will occur in Longford Town and the surrounding county including several art exhibitions, children’s art workshops, and performances.

Tickets for The Blind Fiddle Master’s concert are free but you must register for a free ticket through www.tickettailor.com.

All events and activities are free and celebrate culture, creativity, and the arts. Over 16 events are set to take place across County Longford.

Culture Night in County Longford is funded by the Arts Council in partnership with Longford County Council Arts Office.

For further information on Longford Culture Night, check out CultureNight.ie or follow Culture Night on social media.