Inspired. Connected. Launched | DDF Programme Lauch at Beweley’s

We’re still buzzing after such an amazing turnout for our DDF 2026 Programme Launch Party, celebrating the upcoming festival with our vibrant dance community.

Last Tuesday evening we gathered at Bewley’s Grafton Street to mark the official launch of the Dublin Dance Festival 2026 Programme, bringing together artists, collaborators, partners and supporters of the festival. The evening was filled with great conversation, laughter and a shared excitement for the programme ahead.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the celebration, and special thanks to the wonderful team at Bewley’s for hosting us so beautifully.

And a big thank you to our funders, supporters and partners who help make the festival possible each year.

Scroll through the gallery below to see highlights from the evening.

The DDF 2026 Programme is out now.

DJ Onai and Tobi Omoteso

Alessandra Azeviche, Karen Howley, Carina McGrail DDF, Jazmín Chiodi DDF, Tobi Omoteso, Anne-Marie Smith, Anna Walsh (DDF Board Members)

Karen Howley, Carina McGrail DDF, Jazmín Chiodi DDF, Tobi Omoteso, Anne-Marie Smith, Anna Walsh (DDF Board Members)

John Tierney Abbey Theatre, Mark O’Brien Abbey Theatre, Eva Louise Abbey Theatre

Dee Patton, Sharon White, Grace Byrne, Cian Griffin, Jennifer Aust, Róise Goan (Dublin Theatre Festival)

Inna Mazurenko, Sophie Motley Project Arts Centre, David Bolger CoisCéim Dance Theatre, Vanessa Byrne, Sarah Latty CoisCéim Dance Theatre

Inna Mazurenko, Sophie Motley Project Arts Centre, David Bolger CoisCéim Dance Theatre

Michelle Cahill Luail, Liz Roche Luail, Helen Meany, Finola Cronin

Jazmín Chiodi DDF, Cól Campbell Bewley’s Grafton Street

Tom McEnaney, Anna Walsh, Caroline Kennedy

Laura Murphy, Jazmín Chiodi DDF, Megan Kennedy Junk Ensemble

Jess Carew, Emily Bradley, Jack McNally, Alba Molina

Kelly Phelan The Ark, Liz Roche Luail, Aideen Howard The Ark

Catherine Robertson AAD / Wove, Ruth Riordan DDF

Mary Cremin IMMA, Jazmín Chiodi DDF

Grace Byrne DTF, Eileen Stevenson Performing Arts Forum, Irma McLoughlin Performing Arts Forum, Susan Coughlan

Adam Murphy RCSI, Jazmín Chiodi DDF

Carina McGrail DDF, Victoria O’Brien The Arts Council of Ireland, Laura Murphy, Favour Odusola

Sheila Creevey Dance Ireland, Jazmín Chiodi DDF, Louise Costelloe Dance Ireland

Stephanie Costello and Renn Miano

Inna Mazurenko, Maureen Kennelly, Liz Meaney

Carina McGrail DDF, Sophie Motley Project Arts Centre, Jazmín Chiodi DDF

Charlotte Lally Power, Amy Byrne

Carina McGrail, Natalie Hans, Inna Mazurenko, Jazmín Chiodi, Ruth Riordan, Caroline Kennedy, Kasha Green DDF.

Anna Walsh speech

Speech audience

Tobi Omoteso speech