Grassroots spirit and emerging talent at the heart of The Works Festival 2025
The Works Festival, a grassroots celebration of local arts and creativity, returns to Inchicore this August for its third annual instalment. Taking place on 15 and 16 August 2025 at the historic C.I.E. Hall in Dublin 8, the festival will showcase a vibrant mix of music, spoken word, craft, and céilí dancing, offering an affordable and welcoming space for artists and audiences alike.
Presented by Smithfield Creatives, a platform founded and led by poet and host Adam Kelly, The Works Festival has quickly become a fixture in Dublin’s cultural calendar. With a strong community ethos, the festival provides a stage for emerging and independent talent across disciplines, prioritising accessibility and creative exchange in an increasingly commercialised city.
This year’s programme includes performances from instrumental funk band Chief Keegan, rising indie rock group Dominda, pixie-indie singer-songwriter RVE, genre-blending Chase Nova Band, and folk artist Kenan Flannery. Spoken word artists include noir writer The Vagabond Queen, writer and cultural consultant Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, poets Barry Currivan, Jimbo Dillon, Eoin Lynam, Dom Byrne, Phil Kenny, Daragh Fleming, and Annie Peter.
An art market and an Irish dance céilí will add to the festival’s festive and participatory spirit. The venue, C.I.E. Hall, continues to serve as a vital community hub in Inchicore, hosting cultural, educational, and social activities.
The Works Festival is supported by Rascals Brewing Company and D&R Construction. Speaking on the partnership, Joe Donnelly of Rascals noted the importance of providing space and support for emerging creatives in a city increasingly shaped by commercial pressures. “This is what The Works is all about, and we’re proud to play a part in making it a viable and successful annual event.”
The 2025 festival was launched on 4 July at Rascals HQ with performances from festival artists including Taylor D, Chase Nova, Phil Kenny, and Kenan Flannery.
Day tickets are priced at €20, with weekend tickets available for €30. Concession tickets for artists, students, and those who are unemployed are available at reduced rates. The full lineup and ticket information can be found here.
