West Cork Chamber Music Festival

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival is the highlight of the summer for many music lovers who make the annual pilgrimage to Bantry.

Ireland’s biggest and most prestigious chamber music festival marks its 30th anniversary in 2025, with multiple concerts a day and a multitude of masterclasses across distinctive venues.

From coffee concerts in Bantry town, to candle-lit concerts in Bantry House, the festival is an incredible showcase of elite and emerging talent.

This is the festival where the music lover can hear the finest works in the repertoire as well as world premieres of some exciting new music. Each year, audience members from throughout Europe, the United States and the wider world, arrive in this small harbour town in a remote corner of West Cork to hear world-class performances in an intimate setting.

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival is not just a week of extraordinary concerts in a fabulous location.  It is also a summer meeting-point for top young ensembles, where advanced students have the opportunity to immerse themselves without distraction in the world of chamber music and to learn from more experienced musicians.

Morning talks, a violin-making exhibition, young musician master classes, and free events run throughout the week, with the festival fringe ensuring you have the opportunity to encounter classical music in settings across West Cork.

Tickets for the West Cork Chamber Music Festival can be booked on the festival website or by calling the West Cork Music office.

View the full programme of West Cork Chamber Music Festival Events here.

Did you know that West Cork Music is working on a capital project to develop a permanent home for the festivals and a hub for its education and outreach work? Learn more at bantrymusiccentre.ie