Kilkenomics 2026 Line-Up announced
Today (Wednesday 2nd September), Kilkenomics released details of the 2026 programme, which will take place from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th November. With the world in turmoil, Kilkenomics this year has gone truly global, hosting writers and thinkers from America, Canada, China, Lebanon, India, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Serbia, South Africa, Brazil and Ireland. The weekend features Cory Doctorow, Mariana Mazzucato, Rory Sutherland, The Etymology Nerd and Kyla Scanlon, plus the Planet Money team - the biggest economics podcast in the States - are in from New York for three shows including a live one in St. Canice's Cathedral.
(Pictured from L-R are Mariana Mazzucato, Adam Aleksic, best known as the Etymology Nerd & Cory Doctorow)
The world economy has never felt more complex and vulnerable and Kilkenomics has put together some amazing thinkers, its strongest lineup yet, to help explain and interrogate what’s going on, from AI to Iran, from the end of the dollar to immigration and reimagining Ireland’s economy; some of the world’s best brains are lined up to answer the audience questions.
With 70 speakers across 70 events in 12 venues over 3 days throughout the city, including the 13th century spectacular Gothic surroundings of St Canice’s Cathedral, the oldest surviving medieval town house in Ireland, Hole in the Wall, the Set Theatre, Cleere’s and the Home Rule Club, the festival promises an eclectic programme for all engaged audiences.
In relation to world affairs, the festival will focus on America, China, Iran, the Middle East, the US midterms, technology and the future of AI. Expert panels will also help you identify trends in the markets, debate wealth taxes and consider what comes after globalisation.
The festival will welcome one of the most influential economists in the world: Mariana Mazzucato. When she is not watching Arsenal, she is advising Presidents, Cabinets, International agencies and business leaders. The New York Times said, "Mariana Mazzucato wants liberals to talk less about redistribution of wealth and more about its creation. Politicians around the world are listening". Mariana will be signing books at the festival.
From across the Atlantic, Kilkenomics will bring Cory Doctorow, the man who coined the term ‘Enshittification’ to describe what is happening to the internet. Kyla Scanlon, Gen Z’s favourite economic commentator, will join from the US, to discuss the Vibes economy and more. Planet Money (one of the biggest and best economics podcasts in the world) explains the economy to millions of Americans every week, and its team will come from NYC to reveal how they make economics both understandable and fun. The wildly popular author of ‘Algospeak’, Adam Aleksic, will also be flying in. A linguist and social media influencer, he is best known as the ‘Etymology Nerd’ to over three million followers online. Rory Sutherland, Ogilvy’s most quotable ad-man and (unintentional) TikTok sensation, is back for a solo show.
Pictured are Barry Murphy with Rory Sutherland at Kilkenomics 2025; Rory Sutherland will appear at Kilkenomics 2026)
Kilkenomics’s amazing line up will also include Branko Milanovic, Isabella Weber, Mark Blyth, Sony Kapoor and Liam Halligan. And joining the festival from the Financial Times, the festival’s media partner, are John Burn-Murdoch, Katie Martin, Robert Shrimsley, Brendan Greely, and Soumaya Keynes. Irish economists include David McWilliams, Cormac Lucey, Ronan Lyons, and Sinead O’Sullivan.
COMEDY
Kilkenomics is as much a comedy festival as an economics one, and the weekend is threaded through with the sharpest comedians in the country, including Alison Spittle, Andrew Maxwell, Aideen McQueen, Colm O'Regan and Kevin McGahern. There are also walking tours with Karl Spain and the Sunday brunches, which have been so popular, continue this year with two on Sunday and one on Saturday as well.
Music in the Marble City
The curious mind loves economics, politics, having a laugh - and music. This year Kilkenomics will host “The Marble Sessions”, a Saturday of home-grown Irish music in intimate rooms across the town, with Lisa Hannigan, Cardinals and Lucy McWilliams.
Monzo is delighted to join Kilkenomics as a festival partner for the first time. Since launching in Ireland earlier this year, Monzo has been bringing a new way of banking to the market, combining the best of banking and technology in one easy-to-use app. The partnership reflects a shared belief in making money and finance easier for everyone to understand, in line with Monzo’s mission to make money work for everyone.
Kilkenomics director David McWilliams said, “We’re delighted to welcome many economists and comedians back to the heart of Kilkenny, as well as many joining us for the first time. The festival is what it is because of the people of Kilkenny, the residents, and those who run the local bars and restaurants, who continue to be so open and supportive of the event. The festival remains a significant boost to the local economy, bringing substantial additional revenue into the area over the weekend. We’d like to sincerely thank all of our partners for their continued support, including the Financial Times Weekend, and our new festival partner, Monzo, for their support. We also thank Kilkenny County Council for their valuable and continual support, and for the support of the Kilkenny Night Time Economy”.
Pre-sale tickets are on sale on Wednesday the 2nd of September from 2pm and general sale on Friday the 4th of September from 2pm. See https://kilkenomics.com/2026-schedule/ for the full programme and tickets.
For more information, please visit https://kilkenomics.com/ .
