LASTA Festival 2025 Brings Bold, Youth-Led Arts Programme to Siamsa Tíre

Kerry audiences are in for an unforgettable October as the nationwide LASTA Festival returns for its fourth year, bringing bold, diverse, and innovative work to Siamsa Tíre, Tralee from 9th – 12th October 2025.

Running throughout October across Ireland, LASTA is a unique, youth-led national arts festival that celebrates theatre and performance made for young people and by young people. Each year, young curators are chosen through a competitive open call to design and deliver exciting new programmes for their communities.

At Siamsa Tíre Theatre & Arts Centre, this year’s curators are Jane Carmody, Tralee native working as a Creative Arts Manager & Educator, and Moreblessing Chigwedere, Craftsperson and Researcher in Decolonisation & Art History from Wicklow. They have assembled a dynamic and diverse programme deeply rooted in Kerry’s creative spirit.

“This festival has been such an exciting journey,” says Jane Carmody. “With a background in film and visual effects, stepping into curation has been a whole new experience, which I’ve really enjoyed and has been incredibly rewarding. Over the past year I’ve loved working with so many talented artists and building a programme with diversity and inclusivity at its core, from highlighting sustainable ways of thinking to creating space for LGBTQ+ voices, while always keeping local young people in mind. Bringing together performers, artists, and storytellers with such a wide range of perspectives has been an amazing experience, and I’m so proud of what we’ve created for this year’s festival.”

“Our programme is diverse, literary, crafty, sustainable and informative, all qualities we link with Siamsa Tíre and Kerry,” adds Moreblessing Chigwedere. “Especially the link between crafts. Kerry has been traditional landmark for wool and yarn since the 17th century. Being able to bring this tradition back to life with youth for the Yarnbombing of Siamsa Tíre has been revitalising. I had the opportunity to share my love for knitting and crocheting and create a new community that allows a diverse group of young people to gather, learn from one another and create together. The talent of these young designers, creatives and musicians represents what the youth of Ireland is today and holds a space for every background and story. Kerry is in for treat this October and I’m so excited to see it all come to life.”

The Siamsa Tíre line-up includes a rich variety of events spanning performance, craft, sustainability, and digital innovation – offering something for audiences of all ages and interests. Highlights include:

• Beyond the Frame VR Visual Arts Exhibition & LASTA Festival Opening: Thur 9^th October 4pm

This bold collaboration with MTU Students and Graduates combines fine art, animation, and technology in an immersive augmented reality experience where visitors can bring the static works to life with their phone or tablet. Designer Don O’Neill will officially open the exhibition with live music from Ardfert Saxaphone player Tembey to follow.

• Carpet Muncher – Jo Morrigan Black: Thur 9^th October 7.30pm

A bold solo spoken word Drag performance celebrating queer resistance as it brings the ‘Mothman’ to life, exploring themes of queer alienation, metamorphosis, cross-border solidarity and homoerotic hot-hub encounters.

• Junior Brother Live Concert : Fri 10^th October 7.30pm

Experience the acclaimed Kerry singer-songwriter live after releasing his third album The End. Carefully pushing the boundaries of what modern Irish folk can look and sound like and known for his poetic lyrics and powerful voice, this is a gig not to be missed.

• Sustainable Fashion Showcase : Sat 11^th October 7.30pm

Celebrating bold vision, conscious creativity, and fresh perspectives on fashion’s future, step into this high-energy runway show with music and Q&A spotlights the next wave of designers making style sustainable. Celebrating both rising talent and established names pushing boundaries in design, craft, and sustainability the showcase features: Textile Designer Cosima Augustin-Malloy; Sophie Brunkard; Emma Carmody; Lucy Kennedy; Connor O’Brien; Moreblessing Chigwedere. 

• Careers & Conversations : Sun 12^th October 11am

Hear honest insights from young creatives across arts, media, and performance. This panel is for anyone curious about turning creativity into a career with real talk about the highs, lows, and everything in between. The panel includes: Lily Boyle – Arts Promotion & Sales Manager at TU Dublin; Sarah Zimmerman – 3D Artist at No Ghost Productions, London; Praise Titus – Theatre director and screenwriter, and Artistic Director of Arinola Theatre Company; Leanne Hanafin – Radio presenter at 98FM Dublin, producer at the GoLoud app, DJ and voiceover artist.

• PLUS: DJ and Upcycling workshops, Creative Networking, a Clothes Swap, a Young Writers Workshop, and a Short Film Screening (Sun 12 Oct, 5pm).

LASTA is a collaborative initiative across seven partner venues nationwide: Backstage Theatre, Dunamaise Arts Centre, glór, An Grianán Theatre, Lime Tree Theatre, Siamsa Tíre, and Town Hall Theatre. Each venue’s young curators, mentored by experienced theatre professionals, have spent the past year developing programming skills and working together to deliver a festival that reflects the energy, diversity, and ambition of modern Ireland.

For programme details and tickets, visit www.siamsatire.com.  Download the Siamsa Tíre LASTA 2025 programme.