Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival 2026 Launch

Limerick’s Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival Set to Begin an Exciting New Chapter

On Tuesday 19 May, the Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival team gathered with artists, supporters, stakeholders and local schoolchildren at Belltable to unveil a special announcement marking an exciting new chapter for the festival.
Bualadh Bos will now embark on a three-year development phase made possible through the support of the JP McManus Benevolent Fund. The festival is also funded through the Arts Council’s Festivals Investment Scheme and by Limerick City and County Council, with continued support from Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable.

The event formally launched the festival’s renewed vision and branding, celebrated the supporters who have helped shape Bualadh Bos, and looked ahead to this year’s festival in October. Guests enjoyed performances from the Fanzini Brothers, including stilt walking and circus acts, alongside magic performances from Joe the Magician.

The launch also offered audiences a first glimpse at the 2026 festival programme, with two major productions announced for the festival’s opening weekend. Galway-based theatre company Branar will present How to Catch a Star on the Lime Tree Theatre stage from Friday 2 to Saturday 3 October, while internationally acclaimed Swedish company Teater Pero will bring Aston’s Stones to Belltable from Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 October. Both productions will include dedicated school performances during the week alongside family performances on Saturday as part of the festival programme.

The festival also launched its annual Pay It Forward fundraising campaign, which supports children’s access to festival events and promotes inclusivity through ticket donations.

Curated and programmed by Liam McCarthy, Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival continues to present high-quality work for young audiences and families, bringing leading Irish and international artists to Limerick each year.

This new phase of development will allow the festival to expand its artistic ambition and further establish Limerick as a vibrant centre for children’s arts and creativity.

Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival runs from Thursday 1 to Sunday 11 October 2026 in venues across Limerick city. The full festival programme will be announced in September.