Saint Patrick’s Festival 2026 brings Irish music, dance and culture to Bulgaria

The Embassy of Ireland in Sofia has announced a vibrant programme of cultural events in several cities in Bulgaria to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in 2026. The festival will feature concerts, dance workshops, and special performances by Irish and Bulgarian artists, offering audiences an opportunity to experience the rich traditions of Irish music and dance.

The celebrations begin on March 14 in Bulgaria's mountain resort Bansko, where residents and visitors will be able to enjoy authentic Irish cuisine and a series of performances by the popular Bulgarian-Irish group Sonas.

Sonas - whose name means “happiness” in Irish - is a group bringing together Irish and Bulgarian artists dedicated to presenting Irish music and dance both in Bulgaria and abroad. Their repertoire includes traditional melodies, folk ballads and contemporary works by Irish composers. During this year’s festival, the group will perform in Sofia, Bansko and Plovdiv, joined by dancers from The Cunningham School of Irish Dancing in Sofia.

Among the musicians of Sonas is Fearghal Ó Maolagáin, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Ireland in Sofia and the diplomat responsible for the embassy’s cultural programme.

Another highlight of the festival is the visit of renowned Irish dancer Tanya Cunningham, who will arrive in Sofia on March 19. Cunningham gained international recognition through the acclaimed stage production Riverdance and has since established dance academies in Ireland, Austria and Bulgaria. She is also an international judge at Irish dance competitions and a professional instructor. On March 20 she will lead a special Irish dance workshop at the Nature and Science Community Centre - 1938 in Sofia.

The festival will also welcome, for the first time in Bulgaria, the Dublin-based band Ispíní na hÉireann (“The Sausages of Ireland”). Formed in 2018, the group is known for its distinctive fusion of traditional Irish music and contemporary influences. Led by musicians Tomás Mulligan, Paahto Cummins and Declan Gillen, the ensemble blends original compositions with imaginative reinterpretations of classic Irish repertoire.  For their debut in Bulgaria, Tomás Mulligan and Declan Gillen will be joined by Maeve Gillen on fiddle and uilleann pipes, and Lucien Buhr on banjo.

Festival programme

Saturday, 14 March, 19:00 – Bansko
Digital Nomad Ball featuring Irish food and music by Sonas, with performances in four venues across the town. (Ticketed event)

Monday, 16 March, 18:00 – Sofia
Traditional Irish music session with Ispíní na hÉireann at Tom's Place Sofia. (Open event; reservations recommended)

Tuesday, 17 March – Sofia
Saint Patrick’s Day celebration featuring Sonas and Ispíní na hÉireann. (Invitation only)

Wednesday, 18 March, 19:30 – Sofia
Céilí (Irish dance) workshop at the Nature and Science Community Centre – 1938, 86 Tsar Samuil Street. (Open event)

Wednesday, 18 March, 20:00 – Plovdiv
A special Irish evening at BBop Cafe with music, dance, songs and poetry performed by Sonas. The evening will also include an introductory Irish dance lesson. (Ticketed event)

Friday, 20 March, 19:30 – Sofia
Céilí at the Nature and Science Community Centre with live music by Sonas and Balfolkariya. (Open event, registration required)

Through concerts, workshops and community gatherings, the 2026 Saint Patrick’s Festival promises to bring a lively taste of Irish culture to audiences across Bulgaria, highlighting the strong cultural ties between the two countries.

Photos: Facebook/Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria

Edited by R. Petkova