Iconic Ardara hotel to reopen for ‘significant’ Cup of Tae Festival
Nesbitt Arms Hotel set to reopen under McCaffertys brand, as festival to hold concert in tribute to the late Stephen McCahill
Ardara is preparing for a major weekend in the calendar, as the heritage town welcomes the 2026 Cup of Tae Festival (May 1-4) and the reopening of the Nesbitt Arms Hotel.
The Nesbitt Arms was bought this year by Leitir man, Declan Boyle, as part of the McCafferty chain of bars and restaurants. The 49-ensuite bedroom hotel had been established in 1838, and has been central to Ardara’s commercial backdrop.
The chain currently has bars in Donegal Town, Letterkenny, Lettermacaward, and Dungloe, as well as in London, Cabo Ring in Spain and Dubai.
A statement from McCaffertys at the time of the purchase said they were “looking forward to becoming part of the community in Ardara.”
We have to mention Stephen and his contribution over the years. I knew firsthand of the work that he had done for that festival. I hope that the concert will be a great night
The reopening of The Nesbitt Arms coincides with the Cup of Tae Festival, which this year includes a poignant event on Sunday, May 4, as a tribute to the late Stephen McCahill.
Commencing at 8pm, the evening will feature many of Stephen’s “Singer and Musician friends from the Corner House bar and past performers who have graced the stage of the Sunday Night "Cup of Tae" Concert.”
Kevin O’Donnell, of O’Donnell’s Music Shop in Donegal Town, was honoured in 2025 by the festival and told Donegal Live: “This year is significant because of the past Chairman, Stephen McCahill.
“We have to mention Stephen and his contribution over the years. I knew firsthand of the work that he had done for that festival. I hope that the concert will be a great night, and will be well-supported.
“All of us will be thinking about him this weekend. All the musicians would have known Stephen over the years.”
The 23rd edition of this annual celebration honours the legacy of John “The Tae” Gallagher, a renowned fiddler from the area, and showcases the rich, traditional Irish music and dance heritage of County Donegal.
Ardara residents, Jim and Fiona Byrne, are the 2026 edition’s Guests of Honour, and will be recognised and featured in the festival’s opening concert on Friday, May 1, at The Beehive.
The musical couple, originally from Belfast and Ayrshire, have been living in Ardara for 18 years, and were congratulated by O’Donnell.
“I would like to wish Jim and Fiona well. They are two good friends,” said O’Donnell. “I am delighted they are being honoured this year.”
A festival tribute stated: “Jim is a sought-after guitar player and singer. His rhythmic guitar style provides a strong and colourful backbone for melody players, and he accompanies songs with an insightful and sensitive touch. He has toured and recorded widely in various settings, including with Belfast-based band Craobh Rua, and also with many Donegal instrumentalists.
“Fiona is a highly regarded singer whose repertoire comes from her native Scotland as well as the Irish tradition. She has sung at festivals and singing sessions throughout the UK and Ireland, and recently featured on TG4's Geantrai series alongside Jim. She now also plays the fiddle, learning from many of the great Donegal players in the area.
“For several years, Jim and Fiona edited and produced The Living Tradition magazine, a well-respected worldwide traditional music publication. But they are most at home in the traditional music session, and have been found at the heart of many of these in the Ardara area over the years, working hard to make them a welcoming and fun environment where people can join in and feel at home.”
The festival also holds music classes for several instruments during the weekend, and musical performances and workshops at The Heritage Centre, and open-air recitals at The Diamond.
“It is great for Donegal,” said O’Donnell. “Music is very important there, and over the last 10 years, the festival has really grown.
“Last year, there were buses from Tyrone and Derry coming to Ardara, especially for the workshops, which says a lot.
“The sessions on the streets and the bars make a massive effort. Every bar has music most days and nights, and then of course, we have the concerts. It is a packed weekend.
“There is so much happening, and it is a great weekend for anybody to learn music, take part, play music, or to support traditional music.