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Arts, Culture & Festivals

From the fire of the festival to the lure of literature, the island of Ireland boasts a rich tapestry of arts and cultural activities

Events and activities

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Annual Patrick Kavanagh Weekend

28 Nov 2008 - 30 Nov 2008

This event celebrates the life and work of Inniskeens most illustrious son and attracts visitors form all over Ireland and...

Rothe House Christmas Miscellany

03 Dec 2008 - 03 Dec 2008

Come along to Rothe House Christmas: An Evening of Christmas song and stories by the firelight and candlelight. On Wednesday 3rd...

12 Days Of Christmas Market At Docklands

12 Dec 2008 - 23 Dec 2008

Now in its fourth year, this charming event offers visitors a magical festival experience in a unique waterside village setting...

New Ross Nollaig Festival

19 Dec 2008 - 21 Dec 2008

The New Ross Nollaig Festival - December 19th-21st Enjoy the seasonal atmosphere of the historic walled town of New Ross. The...

Walk Killarney

26 Dec 2008 - 01 Jan 2009

This 27 days of fully guided walking will run over all of the Public Holiday Weekends (excluding the May Weekend) as well as the...

Tramore Racecourse

31 Dec 2008 - 31 Dec 2008

Since its redevelopment in 1997, Waterford and Tramore Racecourse has gone from strength to strength. The 80-acre venue now boasts...

Christ Church Cathedral

01 Jan 2009 - 31 Dec 2009

A magnificent 18th Century Cathedral designed by leading architect of Georgian Waterford, John Roberts. Visit the tomb of the...

Safety Direct Galway International Rally 2009

16 Jan 2009 - 18 Jan 2009

The Safety Direct Galway International Rally Headquarters will be at the Clayton Hotel in 2009 where you will be assured of a warm...

The Shindig Traditional Music and Set Dance Festival Weekend

23 Jan 2009 - 25 Jan 2009

The 'Shindig' is a fun packed weekend of great Irish music, dancing singing, story telling and the occasional pint of Guinness. It...

Temple Bar Trad Festival

28 Jan 2009 - 01 Feb 2009

Temple Bar Trad is Dublin's premier celebration of traditional Irish music and culture. For five days and nights, Temple Bar in...

Merriman Winter School - Scoil Gheimhridh Merriman

30 Jan 2009 - 01 Feb 2009

The Merriman Winter School brings together a group of people with a keen interest in, and experience of, Irish literature and the...

Waterford New Music Week Festival

02 Feb 2009 - 07 Feb 2009

Waterford New Music Week is an annual event that explores the wider scope of music. The audiences least influenced by such...

Snowdrop Week at Altamont Gardens

09 Feb 2009 - 15 Feb 2009

Today, Altamont Gardens represent the achievements of successive generations of the Lecky-Watson and North Families, and are now...

Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh

18 Feb 2009 - 22 Feb 2009

Five day traditional music school concentrating on the West Kerry style and tunes with classes, concerts and recitals on the...

West Waterford Drama Festival

08 Mar 2009 - 14 Mar 2009

A Festival Feast for drama goers will be promised engaging entertainment. The Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (A.D.C.I) is the...

St. Patrick's Festival

12 Mar 2009 - 17 Mar 2009

Thursday 12th March Opening Ceremony Event Please visit www.stpatricksfestival.ie for further programme announcements Friday 13th...

Waterford Celebrated Food Festival

17 Apr 2009 - 19 Apr 2009

The Waterford Festival of Food is to take place in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford on the 17th 18th 19th of April 2009. The Tempting...

Cúirt International Festival of Literature

21 Apr 2009 - 26 Apr 2009

The Cúirt International Festival of Literature is Ireland’s premier literary event. The festival annually brings approximately...

Cork World Book Festival

23 Apr 2009 - 25 Apr 2009

The festival is a celebration of books and reading, workshops, music and children’s events. International and national writers...

John Roberts Weekend Festival

24 Apr 2009 - 26 Apr 2009

A celebration of the work of Waterford born architect John Roberts (1714-1796). The name of John Roberts is synonymous with...

Cork International Choral Festival

29 Apr 2009 - 03 May 2009

One of Europe’s premier choral festivals, with 5 days of the best of vocal music. Now in its 55h year, this year’s jam-packed...

Tipperary Excel Centre

30 Apr 2009 - 03 May 2009

The Tipperary Excel Centre is a €6.6 million flagship ‘Art’s & Culture Centre in Tipperary town. The centre comprises the Simon...

Guinness Feile na nDeise Festival

30 Apr 2009 - 04 May 2009

Guinness Féile na nDéise is a traditional Irish music and culture festival held in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland every May...

Féile Chomortha Joe Éinniú - (Joe Heaney Commemorative Festival)

01 May 2009 - 03 May 2009

Féile Chomórtha Joe Éinniú (Joe Heaney Commemorative Festival) is an annual weekend event held in Carna, Connemara, Co Galway,...

Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival

01 May 2009 - 04 May 2009

The acclaimed Kilkenny ~ Rhythm n Roots ~ Weekend will take place in venues throughout Kilkenny on the May bank holiday weekend....

Leenane Walking Festival

02 May 2009 - 04 May 2009

The second Leenane Walking Festival takes place in May 2009. Enjoy a unique combination of mountain and sea, as Leenane is...

An Emigrants Tale Festival

14 May 2009 - 17 Sep 2009

An Emigrants Tale looks at the experience of the Irish in America from famine times, exploring the influence and development of...

Galway Early Music Festival

15 May 2009 - 17 May 2009

Based in the medieval City of Galway, the Galway Early Music Festival features medieval, renaissance and baroque music and dance....

AIMS Choral Festival

22 May 2009 - 24 May 2009

Join us in 2009 for the 25th year of this lively choral festival. A weekend of junior and adult competitions, commissioned opiece,...

Féile na Tuaithe - Turlough Park - A Celebration of Country Life Today

23 May 2009 - 24 May 2009

Here comes the Summer and families countrywide are looking for day trips and places to go. Féile na Tuaithe - Turlough Park at the...

Smithwicks Cat Laughs Comedy Festival

28 May 2009 - 01 Jun 2009

Smithwick’s Cat Laughs Comedy Festival: 28th May - 1st June 2009 A five day international festival of stand up comedy in a...

Glen of Aherlow Walking Festival

29 May 2009 - 01 Jun 2009

Festival 2009 May 29th -June 1st This glorious three day annual festival offers a variety of guided walks showcasing the natural...

The Gordon Bennett Classic Car Run

29 May 2009 - 01 Jun 2009

A classic and vintage car run over three days, based in Portlaoise but also taking in Kildare & Carlow. It commemorates the...

Clifden Jazz & Blues Weekend

29 May 2009 - 01 Jun 2009

Clifden plays host to an exciting line up of Jazz & Blues Performers over the June Bank Holiday weekend.

Eigse Carlow Arts Festival

06 Jun 2009 - 13 Jun 2009

Éigse Carlow Arts Festival is one of Ireland’s largest arts festivals and the first major summer festival of the year. A...

Duncannon Fort and Military Re-enactment and Vehicle exhibition

06 Jun 2009 - 08 Jun 2009

Duncannon Fort dates from 1588, built to repel the Spanish Armada, and to stop the pirates plundering the merchant ships of their...

Bloomsday 2009

10 Jun 2009 - 16 Jun 2009

BLOOMSDAY marks the day in 1904 on which all the action of James Joyce’s novel Ulysses takes place. It is celebrated every year on...

Immrama, Lismore Festival of Travel Writing

11 Jun 2009 - 14 Jun 2009

The Lismore Festival of Travel writing takes place in June each year and is the only one of its kind in the world. Focusing on...

The Clancy Brothers Music Festival

12 Jun 2009 - 14 Jun 2009

Welcome to the Clancy Brothers Music Festival website. The Festival will take place in Carrick on Suir hometown to the Clancy...

Galway Sessions

23 Jun 2009 - 29 Jun 2009

The music sessions take place in multiple venues in Galway City, including the Crane Bar, Róisín Dubh, Monroe's Tavern, The Quays,...

Wexford Strawberry Festival

26 Jun 2009 - 28 Jun 2009

The Strawberry Festival . Expect music, theatre, street entertainment, markets and many of the events traditionally associated...

Pátrún Inis Mór

26 Jun 2009 - 28 Jun 2009

Dé hAoine, 26ú Meitheamh Imeachtaí spóirt de ghasúir bunscoile, Triathlon de ghasúir bunscoile. Aifreann an Phátrúin; comórtas...

Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre

26 Jun 2009 - 16 Aug 2009

Ballykeeffe is a unique venue. Set in a disused quarry, which backs onto a wooded hill, its atmosphere and acoustics have to be...

Castlebar International Four Days' Walking Festival

02 Jul 2009 - 05 Jul 2009

Walk with the world in Castlebar during the summer of 2009 - our 42nd anniversary! These walks are all about having fun and...

All Ireland Open Dancing Championships and Social Dance Music

03 Jul 2009 - 05 Jul 2009

21st Annual All-Ireland Open Festival of Dancing Championships includes All-Ireland open waltzing, country jiving and Rock & Roll....

Dr Douglas Hyde Summer School of Traditional Irish Music & Dance

04 Jul 2009 - 11 Jul 2009

Ballaghaderreen native and well known Fiddle Musician and Writer, Máire McDonnell-Garvey, will be honoured on Wednesday night,...

Galway Film Fleadh

07 Jul 2009 - 12 Jul 2009

The Galway Film Fleadh takes place over six days in July, and is based in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway Omniplex and Eyre Square,...

Ballina Salmon Festival

10 Jul 2009 - 19 Jul 2009

Ballina Salmon Festival is Ireland's premier family-orientated festival giving thousands of people, ten days of fun-filled...

Galway Arts Festival

13 Jul 2009 - 26 Jul 2009

Galway Arts Festival is Ireland's largest annual arts festival, taking place each July in the city of Galway. Founded in 1978, the...

Feile Iorras - International Folk Arts Festival

17 Jul 2009 - 26 Jul 2009

Feile Iorras, the biggest Arts festival in Mayo, celebrates the folk traditions of the world. The exciting mix of Irish...

Kingspan Muckno Mania Festival

17 Jul 2009 - 19 Jul 2009

The Muckno Mania Festival is a weekend event staged in Castleblayney during July each year. It is a family orientated Festival...

Boyle Arts Festival

24 Jul 2009 - 31 Jul 2009

Boyle Arts Festival will programme events across all art forms, with the visual arts and music continuing to form the cornerstones...

Castletownshend Maritime Week

29 Jul 2009 - 02 Aug 2009

Castletownshend Maritime Week is to promote the local scenery and history of Castletownshend. It provides entertainment for adults...

Kilkenny Arts Festival

07 Aug 2009 - 16 Aug 2009

Welcome to our 34th festival, 10 days of enchanting artistic delights for all! The fabulous medieval city of Kilkenny makes a...

Puck Fair

10 Aug 2009 - 12 Aug 2009

Puck Fair is one of Ireland's oldest festivals. It takes place over 3 days in Killorglin every year, from August 10th - August...

Festival of the Connemara Pony & The Connemara Pony Show

16 Aug 2009 - 21 Aug 2009

The Festival of the Connemara Pony is a celebration of the Connemara Pony breed with week-long activities including a visit to the...

Galway Races - Autumn Festival

29 Aug 2009 - 01 Sep 2009

A spectacular 4-day meeting with a mixture of flat and national hunt racing. Commencing on Saturday, 29th August, this race...

Clarenbridge Oyster Festival

10 Sep 2009 - 13 Sep 2009

The Clarenbridge Oyster Festival has for many years been established as a premier event of top-class international entertainment...

Suck Valley Walking Festival

12 Sep 2009 - 13 Sep 2009

There are three walks organised for the Suck Valley Walking Festival. The walks are varied to suit different abilities from the...

Clifden Community Arts Week

17 Sep 2009 - 27 Sep 2009

Clifden Community Arts Week is celebrating its 32nd anniversary in 2009, and is a great celebration of the Arts which includes...

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Festivals of culture

As the Irish people have a genuine sense of fun, they invented a festival to celebrate all sorts of occasions – the least you can do is join in…

Find out more about Festivals of Culture

Musical traditions

From impromptu sessions in your local bar to the thrilling beat of U2, Ireland has always been home to the best sounds of music

Find out more about Musical Traditions

Literature

Proving the pen is mightier than the sword, the Irish have a unique way with words that can be enjoyed through the ages

Find out more about Literature

Museums & Galleries

Ireland boasts some of Europe’s most intriguing museums and art galleries

Find out more about Museums & Galleries

Free cultural discount pass

Discover some amazing things to see and do around Ireland and save some money, too

Find out more about the discount pass

Listings

Annual Patrick Kavanagh Weekend
Annual Patrick Kavanagh Weekend

This event celebrates the life and work of Inniskeens most illustrious...

Rothe House Christmas Miscellany
Rothe House Christmas Miscellany

Come along to Rothe House Christmas: An Evening of Christmas song and...

See all listings

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Special offer

Beech Hill Country House Hotel - 2 night weekend break B&B inc 1 evening meal (suite, pps)

Beech Hill Country House Hotel - 2 night weekend break B&B inc 1 evening meal (suite, pps)

Offer from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board 2008 Short Breaks promotion. 2 night weekend break B&B inc 1 evening meal (suite,...

Did you know?

The harp that can be seen on passports and stamps in the Republic of Ireland is based on a 14th-century harp, which is now kept in Trinity College Dublin and known popularly as the Brian Boru harp.