Wexford Festival Opera

Wexford Festival Opera’s commitment to the highest artistic standards has seen it emerge as one of the world’s leading opera festivals, with an international reputation for excellence.

Wexford Festival Opera

When Compton Mackenzie, the renowned novelist and founder of Gramophone magazine, suggested to Tom Walsh that he stage an opera in Wexford, few could have imagined where the idea would lead. But since the first ‘Festival of Music and the Arts’ took place in October 1951, Wexford Festival Opera has grown into one of the world’s leading opera festivals. In 2017 Wexford Festival Opera won Best Festival at the International Opera Awards.

The Festival made a name for itself by introducing audiences to unjustly neglected works, many of which have since found a place in the canon. For nearly 70 years the Festival has breathed new life into forgotten masterpieces, establishing a reputation for high-quality productions that, every year, bring thousands of opera-lovers flocking to Wexford from all over the world.

The Festival’s success is due in no small part to Wexford itself and the hundreds of local, dedicated volunteer force who complete the Wexford experience. This ancient Viking town, nestled in a wonderful setting on the banks of the River Slaney, has a character and charm all its own. Just two hours from Dublin, in a county renowned for its stunning beaches and rebellious history, the town is a key part of what helps to make the Festival unique. Every year at Festival time the streets, pubs and restaurants are abuzz with excitement, and the warm welcome waiting from an army of Festival volunteers keeps opera-lovers coming back year after year.

Wexford Festival Opera 2025

17th October – 1st November 2025

View the Wexford Festival Opera website HERE