Open Ear: a weekend of electronic music on Sherkin Island

Open Ear is a festival of experimental and electronic music on Sherkin Island, off Baltimore in West Cork. It was first held in 2016, and 2026 was its tenth year. It is a small, camping-only festival, and cars stay on the mainland for the weekend.

Open Ear 2027

The 2027 dates have not been announced. The 2026 festival ran from Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 May 2026, the June bank holiday weekend: Thursday arrivals were let in from 5pm, the main gates opened at 2pm on Friday, and the site closed at 11am on Monday 1 June.

The 2026 artists

Among the organiser's 2026 names were EMA & Sgt Pokes, Jabu & Memotone, Container, Dave Huismans presenting ex_libris, Eomac & Saint Abdullah, Ali Daly, Chris Imler and Eliza.

Tickets

Tickets are sold on Resident Advisor and held in the RA app. Open Ear is camping only and the pitch comes with the ticket, with a quiet camping area across the road from Silver Strand beach for those who want one. The festival does not sell Friday or Saturday day tickets.

Age

Open Ear is for over-18s only.

Getting to Sherkin Island

The last leg is the ferry from Baltimore. In 2026 a return crossing cost €30, cash only, with luggage carried across; the last ferry left at 10pm on the Friday and at 7pm on the Thursday. The nearest cash machine is in Skibbereen, so bring the fare in cash. Cars stay on the mainland.

By public transport, Bus Éireann's route 237 runs from St Patrick's Quay in Cork to Skibbereen, and a Local Link bus goes on to Baltimore. The festival's own coach from Custom House Quay in Dublin and from Cork sold out in 2026.

What to bring

The organiser's list is short and practical: a torch, a bag for your rubbish, good shoes and a good tent. The festival is bring your own drink, and everything goes over on the ferry with you.

In 2026 Open Ear shared its weekend with Forbidden Fruit in Dublin. For a bigger camping weekend, Beyond The Pale is in Co. Wicklow in June.