Irish music festival at Glasgow Green cancelled weeks before event due to 'unprecedented challenges'

A festival celebrating Irish culture due to take place in Glasgow Green has been cancelled just weeks before the event.

Organisers of GlasGael announced on Tuesday that the event would be postponed until 2027 due to “unprecedented challenges”.

The festival, focused on Irish music, culture, arts and heritage, was due to run over May 2 and 3 in Glasgow Green, with acts including The High Kings, Derek Ryan and Tumbling Paddies booked to perform in a 5,000-capacity big top tent.

A statement posted on the event website said the decision to cancel had been made with a “heavy heart”.

“Since we launched GlasGael, the global landscape has shifted in ways that have fundamentally impacted our financial model,” it explained.

“The combination of current geopolitical turmoil, increased costs in the industry, and the ongoing cost of living crisis has created unprecedented challenges.

“Over the past few weeks, several of our long-term contractors and suppliers have been forced to increase their rates. We fully understand their situation, but these cumulative costs mean we can no longer deliver the event at the scale and quality you deserve in 2026.”

Refunds are expected to be issued immediately.

Organisers added: “We are deeply sorry for the disappointment this causes and thank you for your incredible support. We are now focusing our efforts on making GlasGael 2027 a celebration worth the wait.”

The cancellation comes after the plug was pulled on Scotland’s “first-ever” wellness and music festival in Paisley.

Paisley Alive, scheduled for July 4 this year, was cancelled due to low ticket sales.

Rag’n’Bone Man and Scottish singer Emeli Sande were due to headline the festival at Barshaw Park which had been two years in the making.