First Fortnight Mental Health Arts Festival
About First Fortnight Mental Health Arts Festival
First Fortnight returns this January with a vibrant national programme celebrating the role of the arts in mental health. Now in its 15th year, the 2026 festival features over 40 events across Ireland, combining theatre, poetry, music, workshops, exhibitions and virtual reality experiences. From panel talks and solo performances to immersive installations and sensory theatre, the festival aims to start conversations, build empathy and challenge stigma.
Highlights this year include Therapy Sessions with international and Irish artists in venues from Dublin to Donegal, a special Dublin at Dawn sunrise experience in St Patrick’s Cathedral, and powerful performances like Antidote 2, He Dies in the End and Queer Arrivals. There are family-friendly events, inclusive workshops, and free exhibitions such as Threads of Connection in Kildare and Walls of Containment in Wexford. With a strong focus on access and community, the festival brings people together through creativity and shared experience.
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