The Boomtown Rats Top The Bill of Irish Icons Announced for Forest Fest 2026
By Paul Brady, Mary Coughlan, Gemma Hayes, Mik Pyro, The Frank & Walters, Something Happens, Grooveline, Babyrat and Run The Red all joining the line up for 2026
Friday July 24th – Sunday July 26th 2026
Bee’s Wing Farm, Emo Village Co. Laois
Early Bird tickets on sale now from forestfest.ie subject to booking fees.
The Boomtown Rats lead the charge in the latest line-up announcement for Forest Fest 2026, topping a powerful bill that brings together ten Irish icons and seriously on-the-rise acts. One of the most influential bands in Irish music history, The Boomtown Rats’ return to the festival circuit comes alongside a roll-call that celebrates depth, legacy and creative firepower across generations.
Joining them are legendary songwriters and performers Paul Brady, Mary Coughlan and Gemma Hayes, alongside cult favourites and scene-shapers Mik Pyro, The Frank and Walters and Something Happens.
Rounding out the announcement are three acts very much on the rise – Grooveline, Babyrat and Run The Red – underlining Forest Fest’s commitment to championing new talent while honouring the artists who shaped the sound of Irish music.
This latest announcement firmly positions Forest Fest 2026 as a meeting point of iconic and future-facing talent, with The Boomtown Rats leading a line-up that reflects the ongoing evolution of Irish music. Festival Director Philip Meagher says: “With this reveal, we are showing our commitment to including true legends of Irish music, alongside our wish to support, recognise and encourage some of the very best emerging talent in Ireland right now. We are thrilled with the reaction to our line-up so far, both at home and internationally, with guests booked to join us from every corner of the globe. At the moment, we are absolutely delighted to see so many people travelling from abroad to buy tickets, and we are really looking forward to welcoming them all to Emo in July. Our Early Bird tickets are coming towards an end, so I would encourage people to purchase tickets in the coming weeks.”
About Forest Fest
Forest Fest was voted No. 1 Festival in Ireland in The Irish Times Critics’ Poll 2025, and crowned Best Event / Festival at the Midlands Hospitality Awards 2025, firmly cementing its reputation as one of the country’s most respected boutique music festivals.
Founded by Laois native Philip Meagher, Forest Fest was created with a clear purpose: to bring exceptional music to audiences who value carefully curated line-ups and a truly premium festival experience. It is a festival for those who want to see artists come together in ways rarely seen on Irish soil, the kind of line-up that feels instantly iconic.
For 2026, the festival remains rooted in the beautiful village of Emo, with the stunning backdrop of Emo Court still central to the experience. A new site layout within Bee’s Wing Farm introduces more space across the festival, allowing for a more comfortable experience and improved facilities, while retaining the walkable, convenient village-based setting that festival-goers know and love.
Forest Fest champions the best of indie and rock, complemented by outstanding homegrown talent across its dedicated trad, folk and emerging music stages. Each year, the entire village of Emo becomes part of the festival itself, with stages, food, bars and camping all just a short stroll apart.
Deliberately prioritising atmosphere and experience over scale or commerciality, Forest Fest transforms Emo, Co. Laois into an intimate yet vibrant festival hub. The involvement of local businesses, volunteers and residents is central to the festival’s warm, distinctive character and strong sense of community.
The long-term vision is clear. Forest Fest will continue to grow as one of Ireland’s most loved festivals while preserving the boutique atmosphere and premium experience that set it apart, a proudly independent event standing confidently alongside the world’s leading festivals.
Community, Sustainability and Local Partnerships
Forest Fest actively supports local enterprise, with glamping provided by Abbeyleix-based Pitched Perfect and craft beers supplied by Wicklow Wolf and Ballykilcavan Brewing Co.
Sustainability is a core pillar of the festival’s ethos. Looking ahead to 2026, the festival deepens this commitment by placing environmental responsibility at the heart of its planning and delivery. In partnership with Native Events, Forest Fest will focus on reducing emissions, protecting biodiversity and encouraging collective action through practical, measurable initiatives across energy use, transport, materials, food and beverage, water management and governance.
Through transparent reporting, responsible partnerships and active engagement with artists, traders and audiences, Forest Fest will continue to shape a festival experience that respects its natural setting while inspiring positive change.
Accommodation, Travel and Catering
The festival offers a range of accommodation, including Pitched Perfect glamping units from two-person pods to eight-person suites equipped with hot showers, phone charging and pamper facilities. Dedicated campervan and caravan passes are available, with extensive tent camping options also provided. Local hotels in Portlaoise, Kildare, Tullamore and Abbeyleix are served by regular shuttle buses. Forest Fest is easily accessible, located one hour from Dublin and just 5km from the M7 (Exit 15), with complimentary parking, hourly trains to Portlaoise and Portarlington and additional private buses planned for 2026. A wide selection of artisan and street food stalls, including vegetarian and vegan options, complements a full bar service featuring wine, Prosecco and craft beers.
Forest Fest 2026 takes place from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July at Bee’s Wing Farm, Emo Village, Co. Laois.
Legendary Acts. Modern Boutique Experience.