Ireland in Music

A Musical Bridge Between Bobbio and Ireland

Ireland in Music is one of the most beloved summer events in the Trebbia Valley, in the municipality of Bobbio, in the province of Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna). For more than two decades, the festival has celebrated the deep heritage that links this medieval village to Ireland: it was indeed the Irish monk Saint Columbanus who founded the renowned abbey here in 614 AD, which gave Bobbio its cultural and spiritual prestige. The event, reaching its XXVIII edition in 2026, renews this embrace between two cultures through music every year.

The Setting: Piazza San Colombano

The festival takes place in the scenic Piazza San Colombano, right in front of the abbey that holds the memory of the saint. The square comes alive with lights, green flags, and British Isles atmospheres, becoming an authentic corner of Ireland in the heart of the Piacenza Apennines for two evenings. It is one of the most evocative settings to listen to Celtic music, amidst the historic buildings of the village and the profile of the Ponte Gobbo crossing the Trebbia River.

Live Celtic Music

The pulsating heart of the festival is the live folk concerts, which range from the ancestral sounds of Irish, Scottish, and Nordic traditions to more contemporary reinterpretations of the Celtic repertoire. Over the years, Bobbio's stage has hosted prominent names in the international folk scene, including Birkin Tree, The Strawbs, Andy Irvine, and Dallahan, confirming the festival's commitment to bringing the best of the European Celtic scene to the Trebbia Valley.

Beer, Street Food, and Conviviality

Alongside the music, Ireland in Music is above all about celebration and conviviality. The food stalls offer gourmet street food and a rich selection of craft beers and Irish-inspired ales, in true Celtic pub spirit. The evenings thus become an opportunity to gather outdoors, toast, and let yourself be carried away by folk rhythms until late at night.

A Free Event for Everyone

One of the event's distinctive features is its free and open-to-all nature: admission to the concerts is free, demonstrating the organizers of the Associazione Culturale Novecento's commitment to making Celtic culture accessible to families, enthusiasts, and the curious. Ireland in Music is now an identity-defining event for Bobbio and the entire Trebbia Valley community, capable of combining tourism, tradition, and a spirit of hospitality.