{"id":93033,"date":"2025-10-17T10:35:46","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T09:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=93033"},"modified":"2025-10-17T10:35:47","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T09:35:47","slug":"wexford-spiegeltent-festival-2025-kicks-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2025\/10\/wexford-spiegeltent-festival-2025-kicks-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Wexford Spiegeltent Festival 2025 Kicks Off"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Wexford Spiegeltent Festival 2025 kicked off on Wexford Quay yesterday, Wednesday 16th October and runs until Saturday 1st November.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Now in its fourteenth year, the festival has become one of Ireland\u2019s most distinctive and atmospheric live events – staged in one of the world\u2019s last remaining original Spiegeltents (meaning \u201cmirror tent\u201d). Handcrafted from wood, mirrors, velvet, and brocade, Spiegeltents date back to early 20th-century Belgium, where they travelled from town to town hosting music, dance and theatre. Their mirrored walls, ornate booths and circular design create a uniquely intimate space that has captivated audiences for generations. As The Irish Times once noted,\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cTheir circular shape and discreet booths created a sense of intimacy that lent the tents a reputation for debauchery that persists to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s performances take place in The Fortuna \u2014 the largest Spiegeltent still in operation anywhere in the world. Returning to Wexford\u2019s scenic quay front, The Fortuna brings with it a century of history, craftsmanship\u00a0and stories from its travels across the globe.

Music, Comedy and Magic Under Canvas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Event organisers Lantern have lined up an exceptional programme for the fourteenth edition of what has become a jewel in Wexford\u2019s annual cultural calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the Festival’s duration, spanning three weekends, audiences can expect world-class music, comedy, and performance in one of the most atmospheric venues in Ireland. Music highlights include\u00a0The Coronas<\/strong>,\u00a0Dan McCabe, Lyra, Bell X1, Lisa Hannigan, Paul Brady, Mick Flannery & Susan O\u2019Neill<\/strong>, and rising Wexford star\u00a0Ruben Buggy<\/strong>, who headlines his first major show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rock fans can look forward to The Stunning<\/strong> and Qween<\/strong>, while folk and trad lovers can enjoy Sharon Shannon and her Big Band<\/strong>, joined by Steve Earle,<\/strong> Mundy<\/strong>, Camille O\u2019Sullivan<\/strong> and Liam \u00d3 Maonla\u00ed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comedy takes centre stage with Jack Dee<\/strong>, Dylan Moran<\/strong>, Neil Delamere<\/strong> and Jarlath Regan<\/strong>, while The Daily Dilemma Uncensored Live<\/strong> promises a raucous night of conversation, drag and DJs. For families, OTT Wrestling\u2019s Halloween Slam <\/strong>returns on the Bank Holiday Monday with its trademark mix of humour and high-flying action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability and Innovation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also returning this year is Lantern\u2019s Cup Deposit Return Scheme, part of the festival\u2019s commitment to sustainability and its Leave No Trace ethos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At last year\u2019s event, refuse was drastically reduced and an estimated 85,000 single-use plastics were eliminated through initiatives including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n