The Kildare Choral and Organ Festival returns to St Brigid’s Cathedral in Cill Dara (Kildare) this autumn, bringing three Friday evenings of organ, instrumental and choral music to the historic cathedral.
Running from 28 August to 11 September 2026, this year’s Festival features Hungarian-born organist Judit Máté, violinist Bogdan Sofei with organist Thomas Charles Marshall, and St Ann’s Church Choir from Dawson Street, Dublin.
All three concerts begin at 8.00pm.
The Festival traces its origins to the Kildare and Glendalough Choral Festival, established in 1890, giving organised choral music in the diocese a history stretching back more than 135 years.
Judit Máté opens the Festival
The first concert, on Friday 28 August, will feature organist Judit Máté.
Her programme includes music by J.S. Bach, Franz Liszt and Dieterich Buxtehude, alongside works by other composers.
Máté’s recital will open the three-concert series within the setting of St Brigid’s Cathedral.
Friday 28 August, 8.00pm
Judit Máté — organ
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Violin and organ
On Friday 4 September, violinist Bogdan Sofei will be joined by organist Thomas Charles Marshall.
Their programme will range across Baroque, Romantic and contemporary music, bringing together the very different voices of violin and cathedral organ.
Friday 4 September, 8.00pm
Bogdan Sofei — violin
Thomas Charles Marshall — organ
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St Ann’s Church Choir concludes the Festival
The final concert, on Friday 11 September, brings St Ann’s Church Choir, Dawson Street, Dublin, to Cill Dara.
Directed by Thomas Charles Marshall, the choir’s programme will include works by women composers alongside choral music by J.S. Bach.
The performance provides a choral conclusion to a Festival which begins with solo organ and moves through instrumental collaboration before bringing voices into the Cathedral for its closing night.
Friday 11 September, 8.00pm
St Ann’s Church Choir, Dawson Street, Dublin
Director: Thomas Charles Marshall
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Music in an historic setting
St Brigid’s Cathedral stands at the heart of Cill Dara, on a site associated with St Brigid since the fifth century.
According to the Cathedral, Brigid founded her church there in 480 AD. The early foundation became known as Cill Dara — the Church of the Oak — the name from which Kildare town, county and diocese derive their names.
The present stone cathedral dates back more than eight centuries and continues to serve not only as a place of worship but as a setting for community, musical and cultural events.
The Dean of St Brigid’s Cathedral, the Very Rev Isobel Jackson, said the Festival continued that longstanding relationship between the Cathedral and music.
“The Festival provides a programme of high-quality choral and organ music in the historic surrounds of St Brigid’s Cathedral. We are delighted to host these three concerts and to continue the Cathedral’s long standing association with music and the arts.”
Tickets and information
All concerts take place at:
St Brigid’s Cathedral
Cill Dara (Kildare)
R51 HY65
Concerts begin at 8.00pm.
Tickets cost €15 for an individual concert, while a Festival Pass covering all three concerts costs €40.
Tickets are available in advance through Eventbrite or at the door.
The Kildare Choral and Organ Festival 2026 is supported by the Kildare County Council Festival Grant 2026.
At a glance
Friday 28 August — Judit Máté, organ
Friday 4 September — Bogdan Sofei and Thomas Charles Marshall, violin and organ
Friday 11 September — St Ann’s Church Choir, Dawson Street, Dublin
All concerts: 8.00pm
Sources
- Kildare Choral and Organ Festival 2026 programme, event information and quotation supplied to Gyronny Herald by email.
- Festival promotional images supplied by the Kildare Choral and Organ Festival via email.
- Photograph of St Brigid’s Cathedral by Michael McFarland Campbell.
