The Stone Sessions Bring New Music to Historic Johnstown Castle

The 2026 events season at Johnstown Castle in County Wexford launches on Saturday, 17th January at 7 pm with a Stone Sessions event in the atmospheric surroundings of the beautiful gothic-style Johnstown Castle. Wexford’s cultural calendar continues to grow with the launch of The Stone Sessions, a seasonal series designed to spotlight exceptional Irish musicians and makers while opening the doors to some of the country’s most remarkable heritage sites. The first Stone Sessions live music gig of 2026 features emerging local duo Toothpick, with Chris and Jess Bent. Known for their smooth, genre-bending sound spanning R&B and soft rock, the duo will perform in the castle’s historic halls and share insight into their songwriting journey. The evening will be introduced by maker Lynn Haughton of The Upcycle Movement, who will speak about upcycling, creativity and upcoming projects. The series follows the huge success of an inaugural Stone Sessions, funded by Culture Night and Wexford Arts Office, which featured a sold-out performance by Frankenstein Bolts in Johnstown Castle in September 2025. Also on the night, Verna Goff, creator of Precious Pebbles by Verna, gave a talk about the healing effects of creativity and working with natural materials. The combination of music and a unique setting allowed visitors to experience the Johnstown Castle Ballroom in a new light while enjoying their local heritage. Beyond showcasing new music and stories, this series plays an important cultural role; widening public access to heritage sites across Ireland and introducing new audiences of all ages to makers, artists, workshops and the importance of creativity. As the programme develops, events will extend to additional historic and culturally significant locations throughout the island. This ongoing expansion encourages audiences to discover new places, connect with Ireland’s architectural and cultural legacy, and hear directly from today’s creatives about the inspirations that shaped their work. The programme is run by Creative Producer Laura Larkin. The Stone Sessions aims not only to celebrate contemporary music but also to deepen people’s relationship with the stories, spaces, and artists that define Ireland’s creative landscape. For further details on the event and tickets, priced from €15.00 for Irish Heritage Trust members and €16.50 for non-members, see https://johnstowncastle.ie/event/toothpick/