Winter Music Weekender
Co Claire
January
www.wmw.ie
Temple Bar Trad Festival
Dublin, Ireland
January
www.templebartrad.com
Temple Bar Trad Festival is Dublin's premier celebration of traditional music and culture that takes place over a 5 day period. It's hard to believe that before the first ever Temple Bar Trad in January 2006, Dublin had lacked a traditional music festival for almost twenty years! Temple Bar Trad is all about the music. The festival was named Best Traditional Music Festival in the 2008 and 2009 Festival Awards and continues to go from strength to strength every year.
Each year, they try and bring some of Ireland's top traditional musicians (and sometimes a few friends from overseas as well!) to play during the festival weekend. Concerts range from small intimate affairs in the New Theatre to larger performances at The Button Factory - all guaranteeing a memorable night of music! They pump every cent into presenting musicians and performances of the highest calibre at the lowest feasible ticket price, thus opening up the festival to as broad an audience as possible.
Holiday World Show
Dublin, Ireland
January
www.holidayworldshow.com
This Irish Festival is at the RDS and it gives you the inside track on where to go and how to pay less for your holiday. You'll meet travel professionals from all over the world and be able to take advantage of show deals.
Jameson International Film Festival
Dublin, Ireland
February
www.jdiff.com
Established in 2003, The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF) has fast become Ireland’s premiere feature film festival and takes place in Ireland’s capital city over the course of eleven days and nights each February.
JDIFF continues its commitment to celebrating film as an art form by presenting over 120 films from the four corners of the globe to the Irish Audience. The festival is a citywide event that takes place in all of the Dublin City Centre Cinemas including Cineworld, The Savoy, Screen, Irish Film Institute and Light House Cinema in Smithfield. The majority of films shown at the film festival are Irish premieres, and for some of the films shown, the festival represents the only public screening that will take place in Ireland.
Each year the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival presents The Volta Awards to outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of film. Named for Ireland’s first dedicated cinema, the Volta Picture Theatre on Mary Street in Dublin, recipients of The Volta have included Gabriel Byrne, Daniel Day Lewis, Consolata Boyle, George Morrison, Paolo Sorrentino and Thierry Fremaux.
St Patrick's Day Parade
Dublin, Ireland
March
http://www.stpatricksday.ie
Arguably the best place in the world to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as thousands of people party for five days and also you can watch a huge parade.
Colours Boat Race
Dublin, Ireland
April
Feile Na Ndeise Traditional Music Festival
Waterford, Ireland
May
www.feilenandeise.com
Ceiluradh An Earraigh
Co Sligo
May
http://www.colemanirishmusic.com
Wexford Opera Festival
Wexford
May – June
www.wexfordopera.com
This is a small festival but perfectly formed and positively regarded event.
Dublin Dance Festival
Dublin, Ireland
May
www.dublindancefestival.ie
The Dublin Dance Festival is a celebration of international dance and its the only festival solely dedicated to promoting contemporary dance in Ireland.
Dublin Soul Festival
Dublin, Ireland
May
www.soul.ie
Founded in 2007, ‘Dublin City Soul Festival is a celebration of peace, unity & love‘ is Ireland’s feel-good festival, a unique annual celebration built by a dedicated group of people living and working in Dublin. The Soul Festival is a shining example of what can be achieved when passionate, like-minded individuals come together united under a common bond to create a vibrant, multi-cultural and positive festival celebrating what’s best about Ireland and the Irish People – our world renowned ‘Céad míle fáilte’ (a hundred thousand welcomes)!
It started out as one man’s dream but has been brought to life by the passion, dedication and commitment of so many soulful individuals who contribute their free time to present the Dublin City Soul Festival as a gift to the people of Ireland and all those who choose to visit our shores.
Cork Pride
Cork, Ireland
May
www.corkpride.com
This Irish event is a Lesbian, gay and bisexual event that goes on for over 8 days. Activities include a familty day, sports events, exhibitions, parties, parades, art & crafts and loads more.
Galway Sessions
Galway, Ireland
June
www.galwaysessions.com
Bloomsday
Dublin, Ireland
June
www.visitdublin.com
This event has james Joyce fans from all over the world dress in Edwardian costume for pilgrimage around locations mentioned in the author's weighty tome, Ulysses.
Cat Laughs Comedy Festival
Kilkenny, Ireland
June
www.thecatlaughs.com
This festival attracts some of the country's biggest and funniest comedians.
Dublin Pride Festival
Dublin, Ireland
June
www.dublinpride.ie
The Dublin Pride Festival is organised by Dublin L.G.B.T.Q. Pride Ltd. The actual history of how the Pride Marches came from New York, a significant turning point in the history of Gay rights in Ireland.
Dublin Pride has three core values which it aims to promote through the festival and these are Celebrating Diversity, Inclusiveness and Increased visability & mutual respect.
Listowel Writers' Week
Listowel, Ireland
June
www.writersweek.ie
This is Ireland's longest running literary festival, featuring readings, lectures, workshops, competitions and world renowned authors.
Festival by the Sea
Rosscarbery, Ireland
June
www.rosscarbery.ie
This three day Irish festival offers a fun weekend of free music, kids' activities and family entertainment that will suit all tastes.
Ocean to City Race
Crosshaven, Ireland
June
www.oceantocity.com
This 15 nautical mile long race open to all types of rowing boats from Crosshaven to Lapps Quay, passing by Cobh, Passage, Monkstown & Blackrock.
Cork Midsummer Festival of the Senses
Cork City, Ireland
June
www.corkmidsummer.com
This Cork Midsummer Festival of the Senses is an annual 16 day summer celebration of contemporary arts and cultural with experiences to appeal to everyone.
Lixnaw Feile Cheoil
Lixnaw, Ireland
June
www.
This Irish festival is a cultural weekend of traditional music, song and dance.
Irish Performing Arts Festival
Cork City, Ireland
June
www.irishperformingarts.ie
This Irish festival for persons with intellectual disabilities is over two days. The Irish Performing Arts Festival with present performers in the realms of song, dance, instrumental performance and drama.
West Cork Chamber Music Festival
Bantry, Ireland
June
www.westcorkmusic.ie
This Irish festival welcomes top Irish and world renowned musicians and the setting is in the spectacular Bantry House, St Brendan's Chirch and St. Finbarr's Church.
Oxegen
Punchestown Racecourse, Naas,
County Kildare, Ireland
Beginning of July
www.oxegen.ie
A popular festival in Ireland attracts over 100 big bands like Radiohead, Muse, and many other top bands annually to Ireland. The same bands that play at T in the Park go on to play at Oxegen the following weekend.
Galway Film Fleadh Festival
Galway, Ireland
July
www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
Clonmel Junction Festival
Co Tipperary, Ireland
July
www.junctionfestival.com
Galway Arts Festival
Galway City, Ireland
July
www.galwayartsfestival.ie
This is Ireland's biggest arts jamboree, with all kinds of entertainment, street, theatre, and concerts.
Temple Bar Blues Fleadh
Dublin, Ireland
July
Carrigtwohill Medieval Festival & Irish Country Fair
Carrigtwohill, Ireland
July
www.carrigfest.com
This Medieval festival with battles , archery, jousting, medieval village, country sports, clay pigeon shooting, animals, machinery and crafts.
Killarney Summerfest
Killarney, Ireland
July
www.killarneysummerfest.com
This Killarney Summerfest is one of Ireland's premier festivals bursting with an eclectric range of activities to appeal to all ages and tastes.
Cork Week
CorkCity, Ireland
July
www.corkweek.ie
Cork Week is hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club which is the oldest yacht club in the world, which was founded in 1720. This week long event has loads of sailing and entertainment.
Skibbereen Arts Festival
Skibbereen, Ireland
July
www.skibbereenartsfestival.com
This Irish festival has an electric mix of music, cultural, artisitc and sporting events for all the familty in the beautiful and idyllic corner of Ireland.
Killarney Races
Killarney, Ireland
July
www.goracing.ie
Killarney provides the backdrop for the Killarney races, the life and soul of the party which is summertime in Killarney.
The 3 Irish Open
Killarney, Ireland
July
www.three.ie/open
The 3 Irish Open new prime slot on the European Golf Tour, elevates the event to the position of one of the most prestigious tournaments in European golf.
Indiependence Music & Arts Festival
Mitchelstown, Ireland
July
www.indiependencefestival.com
This three day music and arts festival features rock and indie music to a sold out crowd annually. This festival is the third biggest festival in the country.
Cahersiveen Celtic Music Festival
Cahersiveen, Ireland
July
www.celticmusicfestival.com
This Irish festival offers musical entertainment, art exhibitions, workshops in Irish music, dance and language.
Castletownbere Festival of the Sea
Castletownbere, Ireland
July
www.castletownbere.ie
This week-long family festival with something for everyone. Free open air entertainment, music and games.
Feakle International Traditional Music Festival
Co Clare
August
www.feaklefestival.ie
Masters of Tradition Festival
Co Cork
August
www.westcorkmusic.ie
The Masters of Tradition Festival celebrates traditional music in its purest form in a quiet and intimate atmosphere.
Kilkenny Arts Festival
Kilkenny
August
www.kilkennyarts.ie
Festival of World Cultures
Dun Laoghaire
August
www.festivalofworldcultures.com
Cork Folk Festival
Cork City
August
www.corkfolkfestival.com
Coleman Traditional Festival
Co Sligo
August
www.colemanirishmusic.com
Puck Fair
Killorglin
August
www.puckfair.ie
A large and loony street fair with plenty of singing, dancing and horse shows.
Waterford Spraoi Street Festival
Waterford, Ireland
August
www.spraoi.com
This is 3 days of free music, street theatre, parade and fireworks in one of the the biggest street parties in Ireland.
Fleadh Cheoil
Ireland
August
www.fleadh.com
This is a huge celebration of Irish music, dance and arts, with over 10,000 musicians roaming and playing all over the place. This event is hosted by a different town every year in the country.
The Dublin Viking Festival
Dublin, Ireland
August
www.dublinvikingfestival.ie
The Dublin Viking Festival takes place on Dublin's Wood Quay and Temple Bar every August. It's an interesting festival which is based around its old Viking roots.
Rose of Tralee International Festival
Tralee, Ireland
August
www.roseoftralee.ie
This is a massive party celebrating romance and its been going since 1959. Every year its televised to thousands across the country.
Ballabuidhe Races and Horse Fair
Dunmanway, Ireland
August
www.ballabuidhe.com
The Ballabuidhe Races takes place over 3 days in Dunmanway and its a tradtional focal point for reunions and visitors from all over the world.
Millstreet Horse Show
Millstreet, Ireland
August
www.millstreethorseshow.ie
This is Ireland's single largest show jumping event and its hosted at the Gren Glens Arena.
Cobh People's Regatta
Cobh, Ireland
August
www.cobhpeoplesregatta.com
This is one of the oldest Regattas in Ireland and it takes place in Cobh. This was one of the last regatta's at the end of the last century, with racing yachts coming to Cobh from other countries to compete with the local boats from the Royal Cork Yacht Club and the tradition lives on.
Rosscarbery Family Festival
Rosscarberry, Ireland
August
www.
This community run family festival has traditional Irish music and games for the kids.
Puck Fair
Killorglin, Ireland
August
www.puckfair.ie
This three day festival has free family entertainment, parades, night concerts, music, horses and fireworks.
Galway Americana Festival
Galway, Ireland
September
www.galwayamericanfestival.com
Dublin Fringe Festival
Dublin, Ireland
September
www.fringefest.com
ABSOLUT Fringe is Ireland’s largest multi-disciplinary arts festival. The festival stages up to 650 events in over 40 venues, and around 150,000 people have at least one Fringe experience during the Festival.
For 16 days the festival transforms Dublin into a ‘dream factory’, an exposé of great creative talent from around the globe. It is a platform for the best new, emerging Irish arts companies and a showcase for the best contemporary theatre and dance shows touring internationally. For artists, the Fringe facilitates an opportunity to innovate, to cross disciplines and boundaries and to find new ways and places to create work.
Galway Oyster Festival
Galway, Ireland
September
www.galwayosterfest.com
This Irish festival started in 1954 when a hotel owner in nearby town Clarenbridge came up with the idea to lure customers in at the start of the oyster season. Today, this festival you should be ready to consume more oysters and Guinness than you ever thought possibly as tens of thousands descend on the scenic west coast of Ireland for this long-standing celebration.
There are over 30 pubs along the Guinness Oyster Trail, which hand out plates of free molluscs to make your pint marginally less wet and the atmosphere gets steadily crazier.
Kinsdale Food Festival
Kinsdale, Ireland
September
www.kinsdale.ie
Electric Picnic Festival
Stradbally, Ireland
September
www.electricpicnic.ie
Electric Picnic has established itself as a truly unique Irish festival, set amid the rolling lawns of Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, a beautiful 600 acre estate just 50 mins from Dublin. It has established itself as one of the best festivals in Ireland.
Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival
Longford, Ireland
September
www.johnnykeenan.com
This is festival is for all those interested in Bluegrass and Folk music
Arthurs Day Festival
Dublin, Ireland
September
www.
The Arthur's Day Festival refers to a series of music events which were first organised in 2009 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Guinness brewing company by its owner Diageo plc.
Matchmaking Festival
Lisdoonvarna, Ireland
September
www.matchmakerireland.com
This Irish Festival is an interesting one and perfect for all you single people out there. If you are single go for it and be ready to meet your match.
Clonakilty International Guitar Festival
Clonakilty, Ireland
September
www.clonguitarfest.com
This Irish festival is a celebration of one of the world's most versatile and influential of all musical instruments and pays tribute to all who strum those hollowed strings.
Shark Awards Festival
Kinsdale, Ireland
September
www.kinsalesharks.com
The Shark Awards is an annual advertising festival that celebrates the best work in broadcast advertising from Ireland and around the world.
Cork Women's Mini Marathon
Cork City, Ireland
September
www.corkminimarathon.com
This 4 mile road race attracts over 10,000 people of all abilities and ages. The evet races millions for local and national charities.
Cork Culture Night
Cork City, Ireland
September
www.corkcity.ie/culturenight
On this night all the public buildings stay open late and put special progammes on for one night only. It opens the doors all the people to see the city's culture.
Beamish Cork Folk Festival
Cork City, Ireland
September
www.corkfolkfestival.com
The Cork Folk Festival is a city-wide eclectric music event that features singers and songwriters.
Kerry Film Festival
Kerry, Ireland
October
www.kerryfilmfestival.com
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
Cork, Ireland
October
www.corkjazzfestival.com
This is Ireland's biggest jazz festival and it hosts over 1,000 musicians at this award winning event.
Bram Stoker Halloween Festival
Dublin, Ireland
October
www.
This festival is definately one of Ireland's strangest.
Kinsale Fringe Jazz Festival
Kinsale, Ireland
October
www.kinsale.ie/kinsjazz.htm
The best of Jazz and Blues takes place in the many hostelries of Kinsale featuring international acts from the US, UK and Ireland
October Beer Festival
Cork City, Ireland
October
www.francisanwellbrewery.com
This Irish festival focuses on Europe and they get loads of great beers shipped in from all over Europe.
Kerry Film Festival
Kerry, Ireland
October
www.kerryfilmfestival.com
The Kerry Film Festival brings films and filmmakers to one of the world's most beautiful locations.
Corona Cork Film Festival
Cork City, Ireland
November
www.corkfilmfest.org
The Corona Film Festival was founded in 1956 to bring premieres of new Irish and International feature films, documentaries and shorts to the people of Cork.
Christmas in Killarney
Killarney, Ireland
December
www.christmasinkillarney.com
This is a magical time to be in Killarney, as you have Christmas lights and decorations all around this beautiful place.
New Year Walking Festival
Glenbeigh, Ireland
December
www.
This 3 night New Year Walkign Festival offering a choice of A or B walks & the opportunity to climb Ireland's highest mountain.
