16–19 Jul 2026
Swift & Vanessa Festival 2026
Celbridge
Category: Arts & Culture / Heritage / Festivals
Location: Celbridge, County Kildare
Dates: Thursday, 9 July to Sunday, 19 July 2026
Price: A mixture of free and ticketed events
Best for: Literature, history, music, theatre, talks and cultural events
Overview
The Swift & Vanessa Festival returns to Celbridge from 9 to 19 July 2026, celebrating the extraordinary relationship between writer Jonathan Swift and Esther Vanhomrigh, whom Swift called “Vanessa”.
The festival brings their story to life through literature, music, theatre, talks, exhibitions and community events held across Celbridge. The 2026 programme also marks 300 years since the publication of Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels in 1726.
The story of Swift and Vanessa
Esther Vanhomrigh lived at Celbridge Abbey, where Swift visited her from Dublin. Their surviving letters and Swift’s poem Cadenus and Vanessa record one of the most famous, intense and complicated literary relationships in Irish history.
The festival explores that relationship and its connection with Celbridge, particularly the Abbey grounds, Vanessa’s Bower and the River Liffey.
Gulliver’s Travels anniversary
The 2026 festival places special emphasis on the 300th anniversary of Gulliver’s Travels.
Swift was visiting Vanessa in Celbridge during the period in which he wrote the book, and the programme includes events exploring its humour, satire, politics and continuing relevance. A dedicated anniversary celebration is planned for Sunday, 19 July.
What to expect
The festival programme includes a mixture of literary, historical and artistic events.
Highlights announced for 2026 include:
A Gulliver’s Travels 300th anniversary celebration
A concert featuring Deirdre Masterson and Ronan Tynan
A conversation with Katriona O’Sullivan
A conversation with Dearbhla Mescal
A performance by the SUSO Choir
Swift’s Salon, celebrating new writing and music
Talks, exhibitions and community activities
Individual events may require separate tickets, while others are expected to be free.
Festival setting
Celbridge has strong associations with both Jonathan Swift and Esther Vanhomrigh.
Celbridge Abbey was Vanessa’s home, and tradition holds that she and Swift walked together in its gardens and spent time at Vanessa’s Bower, a stone structure overlooking the River Liffey. The wider town also features prominently in Celbridge’s literary and historic identity.
Visiting information
Events take place at different venues around Celbridge, so visitors should check the official programme for exact locations, times and booking arrangements.
Some festival activities may be outdoors, while others take place in churches, libraries, community spaces and cultural venues. Allow time to walk between locations and check access details for each event before travelling.
Tickets and booking
The festival offers individual event tickets as well as a festival-pass option.
Prices vary depending on the event, and advance booking is recommended for concerts, talks and limited-capacity performances.
Official website: swiftandvanessa.com