The Grace O’Malley Festival – A Celebration of Ireland’s Legendary Pirate Queen
22–24 May 2026 | Achill Island, Co. Mayo – Tickets now available
Join us for the first ever Grace O’Malley Festival, a bold new celebration inspired by the fearless Grace O’Malley (Gráinne Mhaol).
Rooted on Achill Island, the festival brings together jaw-dropping circus, live music, storytelling, performance, art and heritage-inspired events to champion daring women of the past and present.
3pm – For Fierce Families – Swashbuckling Stories of Wild Women
5pm – For History Lovers – “Grace O’Malley: Maritime Icon” with Anne Chambers
8pm – For Daring Dames and their Courageous Crewmates – Pirate Queen Cabaret A bold, high-energy mix of music, circus and storytelling to make your timbers shiver!
11am – For Crafty Pirates – Family Workshop
1:30pm – For Big Laughs – Too Late, a clown show starring leading female clown and one of Achill’s favourite performers Angelica Santander.
2:30pm – Daring Debuts First Look, brand new circus performances from rising artistes.
4pm – Grace. The Story of a Pirate Queen Don’t miss Circus250’s outdoor aerial spectacular show inspired by the life of the Pirate Queen, with live music and storytelling.
5:30pm – For Spectacle Seekers – Grace Giant Sand Portrait Watch her rise from the waves! Our Artist in Residence Sean Corcoran will share his giant sand portrait of the Pirate Queen and we’ll celebrate with circus and spectacle.
8:30pm – Camille O’Sullivan Live
6am- For Arty Adults – Sunrise Sand Art Session
11am – Am I Too Old to Run Away to the Circus?
12:30pm – The First Female Catcher – A Talk with Aerial Legend Becky Truman
3pm – Grace. The Story of a Pirate Queen Another chance to see our gravity defying circus show in this stunning outdoor setting.
4pm – For Everyone – Giant Sand Sculpture Workshop
7pm – Pirate Pub Quiz, Pizza & Movie Night An evening of food, fun and film to close the festival.