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Arts & Cultural events

No matter what the time of year, the cities, towns and villages of Ireland come alive with arts and cultural events…

  • Lord Mayor's Show Belfast

    Arts and Cultural Events

    What’s it all about?

    Ireland is an island enraptured with the arts. The country’s cultural scene flourishes right throughout the year from the twinkle of Christmas festivals to the electric carnival atmosphere of the summer arts festivals. Whether you’re after an event that’s sophisticated, vibrant, progressive, edgy or just downright entertaining, you’ll be spoiled for choice whatever the season.

Mount Usher Gardens County Wicklow

Summer

Ireland is an idyll in summer. Culturally the country is in full bloom, while the warm weather and laid-back vibe bring living outdoors to parks and public spaces. Let the sun shine in...

Glitter and Sparkle Halloween Ball in Belfast

Autumn

As Summer fades into Autumn and the Irish landscape takes on a russet-colored hue, Ireland’s arts and culture scene moves indoors. From the hilarity of the Comedy Festival to Ireland’s largest international arts festival in Belfast, autumn is a perfect time to get cultural...

Thomas Reid's in Dublin

Winter

A magical atmosphere envelops Ireland during the festive season. Friends snuggle down in cozy pubs while Christmas markets bring a touch of sparkle to crisp winter days. And creatively, Ireland remains just as vibrant as ever with excellent theatrical, literary and arts events…

St Patrick's Day Parade Dublin

Spring

Spring in Ireland is picture perfect. The grass is greener than you could ever imagine, the days are bright and an enthusiasm grips the locals as summer creeps in. The arts scene is in full bloom with some vibrant festivals that buzz with atmosphere.

What's on

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Ducketts Grove & walled gardens.

12 Dec 2009 - 13 Dec 2009

Ducketts Grove was designed in a Castellated Gothic revival style by Thomas A. Cobden for John Davidson Duckett circa 1825. The...

New Ross Nollaig Festival

18 Dec 2009 - 20 Dec 2009

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

Christmas Walking Festival in Westport

30 Dec 2009 - 03 Jan 2010

Christmas Walking Festival: The festival includes: Three days guided walks - a choice of two walks will be available -...

Out to Lunch Festival

06 Jan 2010 - 30 Jan 2010

The Out to Lunch Arts Festival opens its doors once again this January with a new and expanded ‘menu’ on offer for those living...

Winter Music Weekend

15 Jan 2010 - 17 Jan 2010

Andy Irvine linked Sixmilebridge with folk muisc in his song 'West Coast of Clare' in the early eighties. Sixmilebridge folk club...

The Shindig Traditional Music and Set Dance Festival Weekend

22 Jan 2010 - 24 Jan 2010

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

unFringed Festival

27 Jan 2010 - 31 Jan 2010

Unfringed is Limerick City’s landmark Performance Festival, showcasing the best in live performance from local, national and...

Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh

17 Feb 2010 - 21 Feb 2010

Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh is a traditional music school held in the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht over 5 days, concentrating on teaching...

Belfast Nashville Songwriters' Festival

24 Feb 2010 - 28 Feb 2010

This five day programme of seminars, workshops and concerts will feature over 100 songwriters from around the world, at various...

The Gathering Festival

24 Feb 2010 - 28 Feb 2010

A weekend of traditional music & dance with workshops, sessions, live shows and much more. Concerts and sessions will feature acts...

Éigse an Spidéil

04 Mar 2010 - 07 Mar 2010

Éigse an Spidéil is a festival of music, song and dance and will take place in Spiddal, Co. Galway on the 4 – 7 March 2010 The...

St Patrick's Spring Fest & International Band Parade

14 Mar 2010 - 17 Mar 2010

Limerick plays host to the St. Patrick’s Spring Fest and Limerick International Band Festival with something for all the family....

Titanic Made in Belfast Festival

03 Apr 2010 - 11 Apr 2010

The ultimate Titanic festival, in the city where she was built. The week is a celebration of the world-famous ship, her city and...

Waterford Festival of Food

16 Apr 2010 - 18 Apr 2010

The Waterford Festival of Food is to take place in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford The Tempting aroma of the very best of locally...

Ballymoney Irish Dancing Festival

20 Apr 2010 - 24 Apr 2010

Enjoy the Irish music and the dancing competition, with three sessions open to the public each day.

Limerick River Fest

30 Apr 2010 - 03 May 2010

This festival is designed to showcase and celebrate all that’s great about Limerick City – highlighting and revelling in art,...

Ballyhoura International Walking Festival

30 Apr 2010 - 03 May 2010

Ballyhoura’s International Walking Festival takes place annually over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Straddling parts of counties...

Mountain Walking Festival

01 May 2010 - 02 May 2010

The third Mountain Walking Festival takes place over the May Bank Holiday weekend in 2010. Enjoy a unique combination of mountain...

Fleadh Nua Ennis

23 May 2010 - 31 May 2010

Fleadh Nua is an eight day festival held in Ennis, Co Clare on the last week of May each year. It focuses on all aspects of Irish...

Wicklow Arts Festival

27 May 2010 - 30 May 2010

The Wicklow Arts Festival is a Multi-Disciplinary Arts event that offers a wide range of entertainment to all age groups. You’ll...

Galway Early Music Festival

28 May 2010 - 30 May 2010

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

Cork Midsummer Festival

12 Jun 2010 - 27 Jun 2010

The 2010 Cork Midsummer Festival will explode into the city in June with 16 days and nights of music and mayhem. Running from 12th...

Wexford Strawberry Festival

25 Jun 2010 - 27 Jun 2010

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

Feile Brian Boru Festival

29 Jun 2010 - 04 Jul 2010

Féile Brian Ború is an annual five day event held to keep alive the name of Irelands greatest high king in his native place. The...

Castlebar International Four Days' Walking Festival

01 Jul 2010 - 04 Jul 2010

Walk with the world in Castlebar during the summer of 2010 - our 43rd anniversary! These walks are all about having fun and...

Ballina Salmon Festival

02 Jul 2010 - 11 Jul 2010

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

Ennis Street Festival

03 Jul 2010 - 04 Jul 2010

Ennis Street Festival is a multi-cultural celebration. Art, culture, music, dance and colour reclaim the streets of Ennis in a...

Willie Clancy Summer School

03 Jul 2010 - 11 Jul 2010

This is Ireland's largest traditional music summer school, held annually since 1973, in memory of the piper Willie Clancy. During...

Galway Arts Festival

12 Jul 2010 - 25 Jul 2010

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

Clarecastle Ceili at the Crossroads

19 Jul 2010 - 25 Jul 2010

Clarecastle comes alive with Irish mucic and dance this July. There is plenty entertainment available for all both outdoor and...

Boyle Arts Festival

21 Jul 2010 - 31 Jul 2010

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

Cahersiveen Celtic Music Festival

31 Jul 2010 - 02 Aug 2010

This festival offers musical entertainment, art exhibitions, workshops in Irish music, dance and language, children's...

Feakle International Traditional Music Festival

04 Aug 2010 - 09 Aug 2010

Celebrating the best of the Irish traditional music especially the distinctive style of east Clare with five days of traditional...

Moyasta Nell Galvin Traditional Music Weekend

03 Sep 2010 - 05 Sep 2010

A weekend commemorating the musical life of Ellen Galvin with traditional Irish music song and dance, free music and dancing...

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Did you know?

One of the 19th-century’s greatest writers, Anthony Trollope, was Postmaster at Drumsna, County Leitrim. As well as using his experiences in the postal service in Ireland in many of his novels, Trollope also became famous for a rather non-literary achievement – he invented the post box!