CKAN is delighted to bring the festival back to the Curragh Racecourse this year on the 10th of May, 11am to 6pm. We look forward to seeing you there! Come and say hi, we will be at our information stand in the Champions Hall, as well as volunteering throughout the event.
Kildare County Council, in collaboration with the County Kildare Access Network (CKAN) and community partners, is delighted to announce the return of the Kildare Inclusivity Festival, a free, feel-good day out for all ages and abilities, taking place on Sunday, 10 May 2026 from 11am–6pm at The Curragh Racecourse.
The festival is proudly funded through LPT and supported by our main sponsor, Intel and Nua Healthcare.
Following the hugely successful inaugural event in 2025, which welcomed up to 7,000 attendees, the festival is back with even more to see, do and enjoy. This year’s programme includes new attractions and experiences, enhanced accessibility supports and a dedicated live music stage, kindly sponsored by Life Credit Union, showcasing emerging Irish music acts and creating a vibrant new space to soak up the atmosphere.
Visitors can look forward to a full day of inclusive fun and community connection, including:
🎈 Family Fun Zone
🏢 Exhibition Stands & Service Provider Zone
🏅 Inclusive Sports Zone supported by KARE
🎩 Barretstown Magic Moments therapeutic activities
🧺 Artisan Food & Craft Market
🎭 Live Entertainment, including music, magic, puppetry, and more
🎤 Live Music Stage featuring new artists
🚗 Vehicle Demonstration Zone (new for 2026)
To help ensure a welcoming experience for everyone, and in response to feedback from 2025, the 2026 festival will include a dedicated quiet hour between 11am and 12pm, along with a quiet entrance and quiet zone.
This year we’re also proud to celebrate the upcoming Special Olympics Road to Ireland Games 2026 (June 18–21) and wish all Eastern and Leinster athletes the very best. Athletes, coaches, families and clubs are warmly invited to join us at the festival for a special recognition ceremony at 3pm.
The Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Carmel Kelly, said: “The Kildare Inclusivity Festival is a wonderful example of what we can achieve when communities and organisations work together to make Kildare more welcoming for everyone. I’m proud to support this event and to see it return bigger for 2026, with new features, enhanced accessibility supports and a fantastic programme for the whole community to enjoy.”
Michael Hurley, Access Officer, Kildare County Council & Chair of CKAN, said: “We are incredibly proud to bring the Kildare Inclusivity Festival back for 2026 — and even more excited to see it grow. This year is all about celebrating our differences, creating connections, and ensuring everyone feels they belong. I would like to give a special thank you to our main sponsor, Intel, whose support has been instrumental in making this year’s expanded festival possible. I would also like to sincerely thank the elected councillors across Kildare, whose support through LPT funding has played a crucial role in enabling us to deliver a festival that truly reflects the spirit of inclusion in our county.”
Sarah Sexton, Director of Public Affairs, Intel Ireland said; “Intel is very proud to call Kildare our home here in Ireland and we are delighted to come together with partners from across the county to support this wonderful event. The Kildare Inclusivity Festival is a showcase of what is possible when communities come together to create a more inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate.”