Irish Festivals

St. Patrick’s Festival , Dublin City …….. March

The parade will be held on 17th March 2011. There there will be so much on offer – music, street theatre, family carnivals, comedy, street performances, dance, …. culminating with the world famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Over 1 million people will be celebrating Ireland. So whether you are Irish or just wish you were, Ireland is the place to be next March to enjoy Ireland’s biggest party.

Granard, Co. Longford Harp Festival …. April

Granard is steeped in musical and literary history and this is something that is highlighted all the more when the annual harp festival descends upon the area. The town itself is synonymous with literary figures such as Padraic Colum and musicians including blind harpist Turlough O’Carolan.

Galway Early Music Festival, Co. Galway …….May

Galway Early Music has produced annual festivals which celebrated the culture of Europe from the 12th to the 18th century in music, dance, costume and colour. The aim of the festival is to create an audience for the music and dance of the medieval, renaissance and baroque periods through concerts and participation in workshops and master classes.

Fleadh Cheoil Uibh Fhaili Co. Offaly ………May

The Offaly Fleadh Cheoil takes place in Edenderry. Events include Storytelling and traditional singing,Comhaltas Concert at Oaklands College&Competitions

Killybegs Seafood Festival, Co.Donegal …..May

Killybegs Seafood Festival, music and seafood trails in participating bars over the weekend . Cookery demos by high profile chefs.

Dublin Writers Festival ……………… June

Venues: The National Concert Hall, Project Arts Centre, Abbey Theatre. The Dublin Writers Festival is Ireland’s premier literary event celebrating the very best of Irish and International Writers. The Dublin Writers Festival provides a unique opportunity for audiences to experience high quality live literature through readings, discussions and talks.

Shannonbridge Midsummer Music Festival …June

The Shannonbridge Midsummer Music Festival takes placein the pretty Shannon side village. As in previous years the festival makes the most of what the location is known for, great music, stunning riverside location and the infamous Clonmacnoise monastic site. There will also be kids Street Entertainment, Jazz bands and much more.

Smithwick’s Cat Laughs Festival Co. Kilkenny ….June

Ireland’s favourite festival, The Smithwick’s Cat Laughs Comedy Festival returns to Kilkenny this June Bank Holiday

Brasilian Festival – Gort, Co. Galway……..June

The annual Brasilian Festival in Gort and has become a popular medium for the local Brasilians to express themselves and share a little of their culture with the Irish people. The festival takes place in June and is modelled on the ‘Quadrilha’ one of the most popular public events in Brasil.

Donegal Town Summer Festival Co. Donegal …………………July

This is a weekend of fun, music and dance for people of all ages. Come along and join in the fun of the festival and enjoy the famous Donegal welcome….

The Galway Races Co. Galway …………….. last Monday in July

A Horse-racing festival that takes place for a week starting on the last Monday in July. The races are held at Ballybrit race course and are the only seven-day race meeting in Ireland. The main days of the festival are on Wednesday, when the Galway Plate is held and Thursday when the Galway Hurdle and Ladies’ Day take place.

Kinsale Arts Week Co. Cork …………….. July

Kinsale Arts Week transforms the oldest seaside town in Ireland into a living gallery and performance venue . The festival is set to take over every nook and cranny of Kinsale, with a programme showcasing local, national and international work.

Ballina Salmon Festival Co Mayo ….. July

Live entertainment is one of the hallmarks of the week’s events, music fills the streets varying from Traditional, Country & Western, Rock & Roll and Samba.

Carndonagh Music Festival Co. Donegal ….. July

Carndonagh, in the centre of the Inishowen Peninsula hosts its annual summer festival during the third week of July. The festival provides fun, frolics and musical entertainment, which includes live music on the street, exhibitions of local traditional arts and crafts, children’s activities and games plus a wide range of other activities for all age groups to enjoy.

Burtonport, Co. Donegal ………….July

As part of the Burtonport Summer Festival, the Rosses Anglers will host an Angling Competition in Burtonport. Other activities that will be taking place will be; raft racing, outdoor music, marching bands, sports event and lots lots more.

Cruinniu Badoiri Acla Co Mayo … July August

Achill Yawl Sailing Festival, Achill Island, Mayo, West of Ireland
Cruinniu na mBad Boat Festival Kinvara, Co. Galway
The first Cruinniú na mBád, held in 1979, brings us back to the time, when the majestic Galway Hookers, used to sail to Kinvara from Connemara laden down with turf. Before the introduction of gas and electricity, turf was the main fuel used for cooking and heating, of which there was a scarce supply around Kinvara, but plentiful in Connemara, and thus this trade became established.

Connemara Pony Show – Co. Galway August each year

The Festival of the Connemara Pony is a celebration of the Connemara Pony breed with week-long activities including a visit to the Connemara National Park, culminating in the famous Connemara Pony Show.

The Rose of Tralee, Co Kerry …… August each year

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is based on the love song, The Rose of Tralee, by William Mulchinock a 19th century wealthy merchant who was in love with Mary O’Connor, his maid. Mary was born in Broguemaker’s Lane in Tralee and worked as a nanny. When William first saw Mary he fell in love with her, but because of the difference in social class between the two families their love affair was discouraged. William emigrated, and some years later returned to Tralee only to find Mary had died of tuberculosis. He was broken hearted and expressed his love for her in the words of the song.

Lisdoonvarna Matchmakers Festival ……September

Each year, during the month of September, this small village on the western coast of Ireland offers a quest for the romance holy grail to hordes of lonely souls – the capturing of an Irish heart. Ah, ’tis a prize indeed.

Mullingar Guinness Batchelor Festival ……

The Mullingar Festival has entertainment for all the family. Live music on the streets every night, tug-o-war, barman’s race, photographic and art exhibitions, pub quizzes and live entertainment in pubs and bars, street theatre, marching bands and children’s afternoon of fun and games….

Belfast Festival at Queens …………… October

Every year, the largest festival of its kind in Ireland brings the best of international art to Belfast.The Festival covers all art forms including theatre, dance, classical music, literature, jazz, comedy, visual arts, folk music and popular music, attracting over 100,000 visitors.

Wexford Opera Festival ………….October

Wexford Opera House, approx 29,000 visitors, the full programme details will be announced soon.

Cork Jazz Festival ………………….October

The Cork Jazz Festival is one of the top three Jazz festivals in the world. It attracts over 40,000 visitors to Cork City each October Bank Holiday Weekend to hear over 1,000 musicians perform in concerts, clubs and pubs around the city.

Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show ……………..August

The Horse Show is a Dublin institution. A celebration of Ireland’s affinity with the horse, from the best show horses to the best international show jumpers. It is one of Ireland’s largest events, a highlight of the summer, each year welcoming tens of thousands of people from Ireland and all over the world.

Dublin Viking Festival ……… August

The Dublin Viking Festival takes place on Dublin’s Wood Quay and Temple Bar.The Vikings were the first settlers at Dublin and old reminants of their settlement have been found at Wood Quay in Dublin City Centre.

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann ………………..August

At the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann inaugural meeting in September 1951 it was decided to create a national festival named Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Festival of Music in Ireland).

Puck Fair in Killorglin Co. Kerry …… August

One of Ireland’s oldest fairs is Puck Fair. The most widely mentioned story relating to the origin of King Puck, associates him with the EnglishLeader Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell’s men were pillaging the area at the foot of the McGillycuddy Reeks, they routed a herd of goats. The animals took flight and the he-goat or “Puck” broke away on his own . His arrival at Killorglin in a state of semi exhaustion alerted the inhabitants of the approaching danger and they immediately set about protecting themselves and their stock.

The Auld Lamass Fair, Ballycastle, Co Antrim …….August

Ireland’s oldest traditional market fair, with horse trading, street entertainment and market stalls. Sample the local specialities – ‘dulse’ a dried edible seaweed, and the deliciously sweet chewy toffee ‘yellow man’

Clarinbridge Oyster Festival . Co Galway…..Sept each year

The first Oyster Festival was in 1954 and since then Clarinbridge has hosted many National and International celebrities and has contributed enormously to the development of the tourist trade in the region. September 1st ends the oysters honeymoon and the eating season opens with the Gala Oyster Celebration in the festival marquee. That’s when oyster lovers head for Clarenbridge to sample what are recognised as “probably the most succulent Oysters in the World!”

Ballinasloe Horse Fair Co Galway………………. October

Easily the most dramatic equestrian event held in Ireland with everything fromdemonstrations, to a traditional Horse Fair. There will be music on the streets both weekends, street entertainers and indeed our traditional La Gaelach.

Celebration of the Senses ……………..October

A new festival where our five senses (sight , sound, taste, touch and smell) are celebrated through music, song, dance, art and food presented by over 100 International Artistes.
Touch, Taste and Smell Extravaganza, Evening Concerts, Late n’Live Music, Exhibitions & Workshops

Taste of Dublin …………………October – November

Taste of Dublin is a celebration of fine food and drink. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens, Almost two-dozen of the capital’s most prestigious restaurants and celebrated chefs will be serving sample-sized signature dishes. Bringing unparalleled culinary experience to over 30,000 visitors, the very best in speciality food and drink companies will also showcase alongside these outstanding restaurants