Popular festival in Laois drops live music for more family-friendly approach

A popular summertime festival in Laois has announced the election of a new committee with a family-focused approach.

The Old Fort Quarter Festival takes place in Portlaoise each June since 2016, highlighting the rich history and culture of the town.

A staple on the Laois summer events calendar, the festival has brought together the very best of talent in Laois and beyond - from top-tier music and pop culture to hands-on fun, creative performances, and historical discovery walk and talks.

This year the festival will see a change to the run of events, with live musical performances being dropped from the weekend event.

The festival previously had two stages, the Fort stage and the community stage on Portlaoise’s main street.

Last year saw sell-out performances from acts such as The Whistlin’ Donkeys, The Dooley Brothers, Dan McCabe & Band and the legendary Aslan, festival favourites Transmitter and Smash Hits!.

The community stage saw performances from local groups such as Stradbally Community Choir, Gaelen, PaddyTunga, Malva choir and Byro.

The newly appointed committee has confirmed that a scaled-back version of the festival will take place on Sunday, 28 June, with a renewed emphasis on family-friendly activities and community engagement.

The event aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, offering entertainment and experiences suitable for all ages while maintaining the spirit and heritage of the festival.

Speaking following the EGM, the committee expressed their enthusiasm for revitalising the festival and strengthening its connection to the local community.

“This year’s event will focus on bringing families together in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, while we lay the groundwork for bigger plans ahead,” Chairperson Regina Dunne told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

This year’s programme will feature a mix of familiar favourites and new additions.

Festival- goers can look forward to the return of popular attractions such as The Big Dig and Golden Ravens, alongside walking tours led by renowned historians Michael Parsons and Teddy Fennelly, as well as engaging Medieval reenactors.

New acts confirmed for 2026 include an exciting fire show and a specially curated ghost tour and pop up storytelling in the town for adult audiences.

As part of this year’s programme, the committee is issuing an open call to community groups, organisations, and creatives to get involved in shaping the festival experience.

Groups are invited to engage, interact, and put their own stamp on an activity or performance within the Cultural Quarter in Portlaoise, with a thematic focus on ‘Then & Now’ exploring Portlaoise as a growing town since the 1500s.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to express their interest by completing the form here or by emailing [email protected].

Looking to the future, the committee also announced plans to host an Annual General Meeting (AGM) after this year’s festival.

This meeting will focus on developing a comprehensive strategy to commemorate a significant milestone in 2027- the 480th anniversary of the construction of the Fort of Leix, also known as campa to the Gaelic Irish.

The committee continues to welcome volunteers from across the community who wish to contribute their time, ideas, or skills as planning progresses.

“The success of the Old Fort Quarter Festival has always depended on community involvement,” the chairperson explained.

“We are excited to see local groups and individuals bring their creativity and perspectives to this year’s event and beyond.”

The new committee wishes to thank PJ Kavanagh and Michelle de Forge for many years of dedication to the festival from its inception right through the pandemic, up until 2025.

“They have left the committee with a strong foundation to work from, and we hope by taking this scaled back year in 2026, that we can support the festival to grow even bigger in 2027 and beyond,” the chairperson finished.

Further details regarding the June event and the upcoming AGM will be announced in the coming weeks.