Carlow Kilkenny ETB Announced as Official Partner of Pan Celtic Festival 2027
The Pan Celtic Association has announced exciting details of the Pan Celtic National Song Contest 2027, including the appointment of a major new sponsor for one of Ireland's most prestigious Irish-language music competitions.
The organising committee is delighted to confirm that Carlow Kilkenny Education and Training Board (CKETB) has come on board as an official partner of Pan Celtic Festival 2027 and lead sponsor of the renowned Pan Celtic National Song Contest.
The competition offers musicians, singers and songwriters from across Ireland the opportunity to create a new song in Irish and compete for a cash prize of €1,000, the coveted national trophy and the honour of representing Ireland at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest, which will take place in Carlow during the festival next Easter.
Widely regarded as the "Celtic Nations Eurovision", the international competition brings together winning entries from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man, all performing newly composed songs in their native Celtic languages.
Welcoming the partnership, Dr Lindsay Malone , Chief Executive of Carlow Kilkenny ETB, said:
"Carlow Kilkenny ETB is proud to support the Pan Celtic Festival and particularly the National Song Contest, which celebrates creativity, talent and the Irish language. Music has a unique ability to connect people, tell stories and strengthen cultural identity. Through our education and training programmes, we recognise the importance of nurturing artistic expression and preserving our cultural heritage, and we are delighted to play a role in supporting an event that showcases both on a national and international stage."
"The Pan Celtic Festival has long been an important platform for promoting Celtic culture and languages, and we look forward to working with the organising committee to encourage participation from singers, composers and audiences alike."
Representing the organising committee, Bríde de Róiste and Emma Uí Bhroin welcomed the new sponsorship and encouraged songwriters to begin preparing their entries.
"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Carlow Kilkenny ETB as our new lead sponsor. Their commitment to education, culture and lifelong learning makes them a natural partner for the Pan Celtic Festival."
They added:
"The Pan Celtic National Song Contest is the ideal platform for the many talented singers and songwriters now composing and performing through Irish. Every Celtic nation must organise a national contest to select a newly composed song in its own language, and year after year the quality of entries continues to impress both audiences and judges."
"Many previous contestants have gone on to enjoy significant success in music and broadcasting, and we hope this year's competition will inspire a new generation of Irish-language artists to share their creativity with audiences at home and across the Celtic nations."
Musical Director Ollie Hennessy returns to oversee the contest and is encouraging songwriters from all musical backgrounds to get involved.
"One of the great strengths of the Pan Celtic Song Contest is its diversity. We welcome every genre, from traditional and folk to pop, rock, country, jazz, classical, hip-hop and rap. The competition reflects the vibrancy of contemporary Irish-language music and demonstrates that Irish can thrive in every musical style imaginable."
He emphasised that originality remains the key criterion:
"The only requirement is that both the lyrics and music are original and in Irish. Songs may be written for and performed by solo artists, duos, groups or full bands. We expect a strong response once again and look forward to hearing a wide variety of high-quality entries for 2027."
Songs may be recorded using a smartphone, MP3 recorder or other basic recording device and submitted by email to pancelticcarlow@gmail.com.
Organisers have stressed that a professional studio recording is not required at entry stage.
Cllr. Tommy Kinsella, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, welcomed the announcement, saying:
"The Pan Celtic Festival has become one of Carlow's most significant cultural events, bringing international attention to our county while celebrating the richness of our shared Celtic heritage. The National Song Contest is a unique showcase for musical talent and creativity through the Irish language, and it is wonderful to see Kilkenny and Carlow ETB come on board as lead sponsor. Their support will help ensure the continued growth and success of this important competition and the wider festival. I would encourage songwriters and performers from across the country to take advantage of this opportunity to represent Ireland on an international stage and to be part of what promises to be another outstanding Pan Celtic Festival in Carlow in 2027."
The closing date for entries is 5.00pm on Monday, 14 December 2026.
Following a shortlisting process, selected finalists will perform before a live audience at the Pan Celtic National Song Contest Final, which will take place in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre at VISUAL, Carlow, on Saturday, 23 January 2027.
A panel of expert judges will select the winning song, which will then represent Ireland and compete against national winners from Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man at the Pan Celtic International Festival 2027, taking place in Carlow from 30 March to 4 April 2027.
Full details of the competition, including rules and application forms, are available under Comórtas Náisiúnta 2027 at www.panceltic.ie.
For further information contact 087 2857048 or 085 1340047, or email pancelticcarlow@gmail.com
Photo Caption:
Kieran Comerford , Head of Economic Development & Enterprise , Carlow County Council , Ollie Hennessy , Pan Celtic , Cllr. Tommy Kinsella, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council , Martha Bolger , Carlow Kilkenny ETB , Emma Uí Bhroin , Pan Celtic , Bríde de Róiste , Cllr. Andrea Dalton , Chairperson , Carlow Kilkenny ETB.