When is Mary Black's farewell Irish tour and where will she perform? All you need to know

Mary Black has officially announced her retirement from touring. The 70-year-old folk singer confirmed that her upcoming shows in 2026, under the banner The Slán Tour, will be her final run of concerts. The upcoming trek will mark the end of an era for one of Ireland's most beloved voices.

Her career has spanned 45 years, during which she has delivered multiple chart-topping albums and received international acclaim. Speaking about the decision, Mary Black said she had thought "long and hard" about stepping away from the road. She stated that she hopes to make the farewell shows memorable with the support of her band members: Bill Shanley, Pat Crowley, Richie Buckley, Nick Scott, and Liam Bradley.

In a statement, Mary Black shared:

"I have been thinking long and hard about retiring and have finally decided that the time has come for me to step away from life on the road… this next Irish tour will be my last: 'The Slán Tour.' It has been an incredible journey over the past 45+ years, full of highs, some challenges, and many unforgettable moments."

She continued:

"While it's not easy to say goodbye, I know the time is right to close this chapter. To everyone who has supported and followed me down through the years, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to my loyal band: Bill Shanley, Pat Crowley, Richie Buckley, Nick Scott and Liam Bradley, whose amazing talents and friendship enriched my touring life."

Mary Black concluded, stating:

"With these great musicians by my side again, I intend to make this final tour very special and one to remember! Hope you will join us for this last farewell."

Mary Black’s breakthrough came in 1989 with the album No Frontiers, which included the beloved title track. She has released multiple albums, written an autobiography (Down the Crooked Road in 2014), and received several honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards in 2023 and an Honorary Doctorate in Literature from University College Dublin.

Complete itinerary for Mary Black's farewell Irish tour

Mary Black's farewell tour will span 12 shows. The run will kick off in Kilkenny and wrap up in Cork. Below is the complete schedule::

• Friday, April 24, 2026, Kilkenny, Ireland, at Kilkenny Hotel (support: Kevin Quigley & The Great Ideas)
• Saturday, April 25, 2026, Waterford, Ireland, at Theatre Royal
• Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Belfast, Ireland, at Ulster Hall
• Friday, May 1, 2026, Utrecht, Netherlands, at Tivoli Vredenburg
• Sunday, May 3, 2026, Galway, Ireland, at Black Box
• Saturday, May 9, 2026, Dublin, Ireland, at Vicar Street
• Friday, May 15, 2026, Limerick, Ireland, at University Concert Hall
• Saturday, May 16, 2026, Killarney, Ireland, at INEC
• Friday, May 22, 2026, Wexford, Ireland, at Opera House
• Saturday, May 23, 2026, Derry, Ireland, at Millennium Forum
• Saturday, May 30, 2026, Dublin, Ireland, at 3Olympia Theatre
• Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Cork, Ireland, at Opera House

Tickets for Mary Black's The Slán Tour will be available to the general public from Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.

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