Just as the days begin to wane and the leaves start falling, Islander have announced the return of their winter festival, Quiet Lights.

Taking place in a variety of Cork’s most iconic venues, the festival will bring the city to life from November 18–21. Spotlighting both new and established folk artists from all over Ireland and around the world since 2018, Quiet Lights allows festival-goers to experience both traditional and experimental musicians – bringing the genre to new places while recollecting old stories.

This year’s line-up includes Lisa O’Neill, The Lost Brothers, Anna Mieke, Ichiko Aoba, Junior Brother, Lemoncello, Niamh Regan, Maija Sofia, Brigid Mae Power, Joshua Burnside, Caomhín Ó Raghallaigh, Kate Ellis & Caimin Gilmore, Trá Phádín, Cormac McCarthy & Nell Ní Chríonín, Emma Langford, Ailbhe Reddy, Molly O’Mahony, Rachael Lavelle, Participant, Varo, Sam Clague, with even more artists to be announced.

"After losing out on hosting Quiet Lights by mere days due to renewed restrictions last year, we are excited (and a little nervous) to be bringing our little festival back to Cork this year,” Festival Director Jonathan Pearson says. “We're very proud of our line-up of almost exclusively Irish-based talent as travel restrictions continue, but we do have Ichiko Aoba coming on tour from Japan, and we have a first for Quiet Lights - a new commission - with Cormac McCarthy writing for Nell Ní Chróinín and strings. We think there's something for everyone and looking forward to seeing you at a show"

You can find the artists performing at The Everyman, Triskel Christchurch, Coughlan’s Live, Crane Lane, Live at St Luke’s, and Winthrop Avenue.

“We’re over the moon to be able to finally put on these gigs in front of real-life humans – coming together in venues is a tradition that was lost to us over the past two years,”  Marjie Kaley of Islander says. “We’re so looking forward to sharing the music and magic of the artists on the line-up and celebrating in their warmth as winter draws in.”

Get more information about the festival and book your tickets at quietlights.net