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Arts, Culture and 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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Terryglass Arts Festival

20 Aug 2008 - 24 Aug 2008

 

Terryglass Arts Festival is a family focused festival that brings a diverse range of artistic events and experiences to a broad...

Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival

21 Aug 2008 - 24 Aug 2008

 

Once a year music pilgrims come from all over the world to listen to authentic bluegrass music. Bands play to ecstatic crowds,...

Bansha Festival

21 Aug 2008 - 24 Aug 2008

 

Street entertainment, music, sporting and cultural events are to be found in the packed programme which also includes a free open...

Rose Of Tralee International Festival

22 Aug 2008 - 26 Aug 2008

 

Based around the famous song “The Rose of Tralee” this is one of Ireland's most popular festivals, connecting the global Irish...

Kilmallock Medieval Festival

22 Aug 2008 - 24 Aug 2008

 

A three day event featuring concerts, medieval market, medieval re-enactment and a medieval fun day. Tickets for all performances...

The Flat Lake Literary Festival

23 Aug 2008 - 24 Aug 2008

 

Hilton Park is a country estate near Clones, County Monaghan - Its stunning 500 acres of exotic lake & woodland sits on the border...

Auld Lammas Fair

25 Aug 2008 - 26 Aug 2008

 

Ireland's oldest traditional market fair. Horse trading, street entertainment and market stalls attracts thousands of people to...

Electric Picnic Music Festival

29 Aug 2008 - 31 Aug 2008

 

The rolling lawns of Stradbally Hall provides the perfect setting for a feast of eclectic music, entertainment and food. The...

Cruinniú Sa Chaisleán - Roscommon Castle Cultural Event

30 Aug 2008 - 30 Aug 2008

 

The Roscommon Castle Cultural Event - Cruinniú sa Chaisleán - is a unique celebration of military music and international sounds...

Hillsborough International Oyster Festival

04 Sep 2008 - 07 Sep 2008

 

The Oyster Festival has been featured on Transworld Sport and John Craven’s Countryfile as well as all the local television...

The Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival

05 Sep 2008 - 07 Sep 2008

 

The festival is scheduled for the first weekend of September annually, and has gained enormous popularity over the years. Each...

Monaghan Rhythm And Blues Festival

05 Sep 2008 - 07 Sep 2008

 

Harvest Time Blues is a festival celebrating Blues and R & B music which is the forefather of Rock, Pop and all comtemporary...

Dublin Fringe Festival

06 Sep 2008 - 21 Sep 2008

 

This annually anticipated, ram-packed line-up of contemporary performing arts mixes up more music, including the world renowned...

Galway Races - Autumn Festival

08 Sep 2008 - 10 Sep 2008

 

A spectacular 3-day meeting encompassing 23 races with a mixture of flat and national hunt racing. Commencing on Sunday, 9th...

Clarenbridge Oyster Festival

12 Sep 2008 - 14 Sep 2008

 

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

Dunfanaghy Jazz And Blues Festival

12 Sep 2008 - 14 Sep 2008

 

A new and exciting music festival highlighting top Jazz and Blues musicians in loads of great venues in and around Dunfanaghy....

Midleton Food & Drink Festival

12 Sep 2008 - 13 Sep 2008

 

A celebration of local and international food, family entertainment, food stalls, workshops, competitions and live cookery...

Suck Valley Walking Festival

13 Sep 2008 - 14 Sep 2008

 

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

Harvest Feast Food Festival

13 Sep 2008 - 14 Sep 2008

 

Join us for a weekend of food-related activities, food market, food tastings, seminars, cookery demonstrations, food films and...

Fenagh Steam Rally

14 Sep 2008 - 14 Sep 2008

 

Fenagh is one of the longest running and most successful steam rallies in the country having being established in the mid...

Listowel Harvest Festival

14 Sep 2008 - 20 Sep 2008

 

Listowel Harvest Festival runs in conjunction with the Listowel Racing Festival. It offers punters a chance to let their hair down...

A Taste Of West Cork Food Festival

16 Sep 2008 - 21 Sep 2008

 

Highlighting all that is good in West Cork food. Local good food producers come together with skilled and innovative chefs,...

East Cork Early Music Festival

17 Sep 2008 - 21 Sep 2008

 

The East Cork Early Music Festival is a five day series of baroque and early music concerts in Cork City and County. Performances...

Waterford Fringe Festival

19 Sep 2008 - 28 Sep 2008

 

Waterford Fringe Festival, is a multi-disciplinary Arts Festival to coincide with The Waterford International Festival Of Light...

Sligo New Music Festival

20 Sep 2008 - 20 Sep 2008

 

The Sligo Festival of New Music is a specialist festival which focuses on Contemporary Music. The Festival chooses the music of an...

Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival

25 Sep 2008 - 12 Oct 2008

 

The Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival celebrates its 51th Anniversary this year and promises to exhilarate, challenge and dazzle...

Galway International Oyster Festival

25 Sep 2008 - 28 Sep 2008

 

It was the first week of September in 1953 and the worried manager of the Great Southern Hotel, Brian Collins, was looking at his...

Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival

25 Sep 2008 - 28 Sep 2008

 

The Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival is a "Celebration of Irish Traditional and American Bluegrass Music". Each year during the...

New Ross Piano Festival

25 Sep 2008 - 28 Sep 2008

 

The third New Ross Piano Festival will take place on the last weekend of September, i.e. September 25th to 28th, 2008. Our aim is...

Kilkenny Celtic Festival

26 Sep 2008 - 05 Oct 2008

 

Kilkenny Celtic Festival 26th September - 5th October 2008 Kilkenny, Irelands medieval capital, in the sunny south east of...

Seisiun Na H-Eireann

26 Sep 2008 - 28 Sep 2008

 

The festival commences Friday September 28th sessions kicking off in the Village pubs. The 1st round heats go on until 22.00hrs...

Graiguenamanagh 'town Of Books' Festival

26 Sep 2008 - 28 Sep 2008

 

Graiguenamanagh Book weekend is a new and exciting initiative being launched by Graiguenamanagh Tourism. The concept is unique in...

Kerry International Chamber Music Festival

29 Sep 2008 - 05 Oct 2008

 

Kerry International Chamber Music Festival has presented annual festivals of classical and folk music since 1998, bringing...

Beamish Cork Folk Festival

02 Oct 2008 - 05 Oct 2008

 

Since its inception in 1979, Cork’s annual folk festival has provided lovers of folk and traditional Irish music with a wonderful...

Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend

03 Oct 2008 - 05 Oct 2008

 

A weekend of traditional singing, lectures, workshops and guided tours.

Dromineer Literary Festival

03 Oct 2008 - 05 Oct 2008

 

The festival invites participants from all members of the community of all ages for writing competitions, workshops, readings and...

Westport Arts Festival

03 Oct 2008 - 12 Oct 2008

 

Westport Arts Festival has long since established itself on the West coast calendar as an exciting and diverse event. The festival...

Ardara Traditional Dancing Festival

03 Oct 2008 - 05 Oct 2008

 

Workshops will take place all day Saturday and Sunday in Ceili, Set Dancing and Barn Dancing. Dances will take place Friday &...

Ballinasloe International October Fair & Festival

04 Oct 2008 - 12 Oct 2008

 

The Ballinasloe International October Fair & Festival is a 9-day event to cater for equestrian lovers, family entertainment, music...

Feile Frank Mcgann

09 Oct 2008 - 12 Oct 2008

 

Féile Frank McGann, which takes place in Strokestown, Co Roscommon, is a festival of Irish traditional music, song and dance, and...

Carlow Autumn Walking Festival

11 Oct 2008 - 12 Oct 2008

 

If you are a serious rambler or just like to stretch your legs and enjoy the view, Carlow is a brilliant destination to explore on...

Nire Valley Annual Walking Festival

11 Oct 2008 - 12 Oct 2008

 

The name ' Nire Valley ' comes from the Gaelic ' Gleann na hUidhre ' which means glen or valley of the yellow / brown stone which...

Corona Cork Film Festival

12 Oct 2008 - 19 Oct 2008

 

Corona Cork Film Festival was founded in 1956 to bring premieres of new Irish and international feature films, documentaries and...

6Th Smurfit Samhain International Poetry Festival

15 Oct 2008 - 19 Oct 2008

 

Festival includes poetry recitals, concerts, workshops and art exhibitions. The festival also includes the €6,000 Smurfit Poetry...

Annual Sligo International Choral Festival

15 Oct 2008 - 19 Oct 2008

 

4 days of Music & Singing - Worldwide Choirs attending the event. 2nd Largest Choral Festival in 32 Counties of Ireland....

Wexford Opera Festival

16 Oct 2008 - 02 Nov 2008

 

The 57th Wexford Festival Opera will open on 16 October 2008 for 18 days and nights of rarely explored and popular repertoire....

Marconi Commemorative Weekend

16 Oct 2008 - 19 Oct 2008

 

On the 17th October, 1907, a defining event in world communication occurred on a bog outside of Clifden, Connemara, Co Galway. The...

Wexford Fringe Festival

16 Oct 2008 - 02 Nov 2008

 

Wexford Fringe Festival, is based around Wexford Opera Festival and features 18 days and nights of fun, culture, an eclectic range...

Feile An Fhomhair, Carlow

16 Oct 2008 - 24 Oct 2008

 

The Feile an Fhomair is a bilingual (both English and Irish) Autumn Festival with an environmental theme. Combining the...

Slieve Bloom Storytelling Festival

16 Oct 2008 - 18 Oct 2008

 

The Slieve Blooms, a landscape of mountains, valleys, glens, waterfalls, ancient raths and medieval castles, in the heart of...

African Film Festival

17 Oct 2008 - 19 Oct 2008

 

This year with the Carlow African Film Festival in association with Carlow Local Authorities Arts Office and local partners radio...

Festival Of Music At Christ Church Cathedral

18 Oct 2008 - 25 Oct 2008

 

Christ Church Cathedral Waterford will host its second Festival of Music. The festival runs from 18th – 25th October, with...

Clones Film Festival 2008

22 Oct 2008 - 26 Oct 2008

 

Celebrating the best of Irish and International film in a unique and intimate setting in Clones.

Sligo Live 08

23 Oct 2008 - 27 Oct 2008

 

Experience the excitement of Irish and international, traditional and contemporary music (roots & branches).

Savour Kilkenny Gourmet Food Festival

24 Oct 2008 - 26 Oct 2008

 

Savour the Delights at Kilkenny Second Food Festival. The character of Irelands medieval capital provides the perfect setting for...

'imagine' - Waterford Arts Festival

24 Oct 2008 - 03 Nov 2008

 

IMAGINE is a unique celebration of the arts in Waterford city. It provides an opportunity for everyone to experience and...

Virginia Pumpkin Festival

24 Oct 2008 - 27 Oct 2008

 

A weekend filled with live music and street entertainment. Fireworks display at Lough Ramor lakeshore with live music and food.

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

24 Oct 2008 - 27 Oct 2008

 

The Cork Jazz Festival is one of Ireland's most successful Arts & Cultural Events and one of the top three Jazz festivals in the...

Ernest Shackleton Autumn School

24 Oct 2008 - 27 Oct 2008

 

The Athy Heritage Centre has established the Ernest Shackelton Autumn Summer School to celebrate the life and work of the great...

The Sligo Festival Of Baroque Music 2008

25 Oct 2008 - 25 Oct 2008

 

Held over the October Bank holiday weekend, The Sligo Festival of Baroque Music is an exceptional event providing an elegant...

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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

Terryglass Arts Festival
Terryglass Arts Festival

Terryglass Arts Festival is a family focused festival that brings a...

Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival
Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival

Once a year music pilgrims come from all over the world to listen to...

See all listings

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The Chalet - 2 night self-catering break

The Chalet - 2 night self-catering break

Offer from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board 2008 Short Breaks promotion. 2 night self-catering break - contact premises for more...

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.