Always looking for a good excuse to have a festival, the Irish now celebrate everything from literary pursuits to a love of oysters!

The below are just a few of the highlights to be enjoyed throughout the year:.

Titanic Made in Belfast Festival Week

22 – 29 March
City Hall, Belfast
This week-long Easter festival hosts a busy program of events including Titanic tours and special exhibitions.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9024 6609
www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events

Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing Festival

28 April – 4 May
Lough Erne, County Fermanagh
Over 300 anglers compete in the 33rd year of Ireland’s premier course fishing festival.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 6632 5050
www.fermanagh.gov.uk

North West 200

May
Portrush/Causeway Coast, County Antrim
International motorcycle road races on a scenic circuit.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 7034 4723
www.northwest200.org

Taste of Dublin

12th – 15th June
Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2
Gourmet event and adventure playground for all those who enjoy food. Combination of food, drink, entertainment and celebrity chefs.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 662 0140
Email: info@synergypm.ie
tasteofdublin@synergypm.ie
www.tasteofdublin08.ie

Cork Midsummer Festival

21st June – 6th July
Cork City and County
A multi-disciplinary arts festival presenting radical work from Cork and round the world with popular appeal.
Tel: + 353 (0) 21 421 5131
Email: info@corkfestival.com
www.corkfestival.com

The World Fleadh

28th July – 3rd August
Portlaoise, County Laois
This weeklong festival comprises live concerts from international acts, master classes, world title competitions, Ireland’s biggest session trail, ceilis and fringe events.
Tel: + 353 (0) 57 868 1155
Email: portlaoise@theworldfleadh.com
www.theworldfleadh.com

Kilkenny Arts Festival

8th – 17th August
Kilkenny City and County
Annual international multi-arts festival in the medieval city of Kilkenny. Includes an extensive programme for young people.
Tel: + 353 (0) 56 775 2175
Email: info@kilkennyarts.ie
www.kilkennyarts.ie

European Heritage Open Days

September
Venues throughout Northern Ireland
A celebration of Ulster’s historic buildings. A great opportunity to visit historic buildings which are not usually open to the public.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9054 3022
www.ehsni.gov.uk

Clarenbridge Oyster Festival

12th – 14th September
Paddy Burkes, Clarenbridge, County Galway
A weeklong programme of events, culminating in a three-day festival of seafood, music and entertainment.
Tel: + 353 (0) 91 796324
Email: clarenoystfest@esatclear.ie
www.clarenbridge.com/

Clifden Arts Festival

18th – 28th September
Clifden, County Galway
A celebration of the arts in the West of Ireland as the autumn colours are in full bloom.
Tel: + 353 (0) 95 21644
Email: brendfly@eircom.net
www.clifdenartsweek.ie

Belfast Festival at Queen’s

17 October – 2 November
Venues throughout Belfast
The largest festival in Ireland brings the best of international art to Belfast and brings international attention to the city’s dynamic arts scene. The Festival listings include theatre, dance, classical music, literature, jazz, comedy, visual arts, folk music and popular music events.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9097 1034
www.belfastfestival.com

Ennis Trad Festival

7th – 10th November
Various locations in Ennis, County Clare
The festival hosts a mix of concerts, over 100 free music sessions, master classes, céilís and dance classes.
Tel: + 353 (0) 65 684 4522
Email: contact@ennistradfestival.com
www.ennistradfestival.com

World Bodhrán Championships

30th May – 2nd June
Milltown, Killarney, County Kerry
International percussion festival of concerts, workshops, sessions and competitions to find the world’s best bodhrán players.
Tel: + 353 (0) 66 976 5061
Email: bodhranchampionship@eircom.net
www.worldbodhranchampionships.com

Lough Lively

28 April – 4 May
Newtownards, County Down
The legends and legacies of Strangford Lough come to life with a week-long celebration of the beauty, history, culture and attractions of the area. Events at Castle Espie, Mount Stewart and Exploris in Portaferry.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9182 6846
www.ards-council.gov.uk

Apple Blossom Festival

May
County Armagh
Celebrate the beautiful Apple Blossom season in the Orchard County, including an outdoor music concert and guided tours of the apple orchard region.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 3752 1800
www.armagh.gov.uk

Listowel Writers’ Week

28th May – 1st June
Listowel, County Kerry
A world-renowned literary festival devoted to writers, readings, lectures and workshops.
Tel: + 353 (0) 68 21074
Email: info@writersweek.ie
www.writersweek.ie

Mourne International Walking Festival

27 – 29 June
Newcastle, County Down
Walks to suit all levels of ability and fitness with routes between 10km and 40km.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 4372 2222
www.mournewalking.co.uk

Fiddlers’ Green International Festival

20 – 27 July
Rostrevor, County Down
The best in Irish and international music, arts and culture. With up to 200 events the festival caters for music fans and anyone who comes just to enjoy the scenery and friendship.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 4173 9819
www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk

Galway Racing Summer Festival

28th July – 3rd August
Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit, County Galway
The summer festival race meeting is renowned worldwide for its electric atmosphere and excellent racing.
Tel: + 353 (0) 91 753870
Email: information@galwayraces.com
www.galwayraces.com

Hillsborough International Oyster Festival

26 – 31 August
Hillsborough, County Down
Enjoy exquisite food and entertainment in the historic Georgian village of Hillsborough.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9266 0038
www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com

Festival of the Peninsula

17 – 21 September
County Down
A folk music extravaganza with an outstanding celebration of music, history, literature and folklore.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9182 6846
www.ards-council.gov.uk

A Taste of West Cork Food Festival Skibbereen

18th – 21st September
Skibbereen, County Cork
A four day celebration of locally produced fare with street markets, food tastings and workshops.
Tel: + 353 (0) 28 22337
Email: pro@skibbereen.ie
www.atasteofwestcork.com

Wexford Festival Opera

16th October – 2nd November
Wexford Opera House and Wexford Town, County Wexford
Wexford Festival Opera returns with numerous events scheduled to take place in venues around town including daytime opera, lunchtime recitals and choral and orchestra concerts.
Tel: + 353 53 91 22400
Email: info@wexfordopera.com
www.wexfordopera.com

Sligo Live 08 Music Festival – Irish Roots and Branches

23rd – 27th October
Sligo town and surrounding area
Experience the excitement of Irish and international, traditional and contemporary music (roots & branches).
Email: info@sligolive.ie
www.sligolive.ie

Hallowe’en Celebrations

27 – 31 October
Banks of the Foyle Hallowe’en Carnival, Derry City, County Londonderry
The city hosts the biggest, free street costume party which sees Derry transformed into the premier destination for ghosts, ghouls, witches and warlocks.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 7137 6545
www.derrycity.gov.uk/halloween