Arts Culture and Festivals

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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Leinster Way Gathering The Carlow Show

24 Jun 2013 - 25 Aug 2013

A Carlow Show, providing a high quality evening's entertainment with a distinctive Irish and Carlow experience focusing on...

Blas International Summer School

24 Jun 2013 - 05 Jul 2013

Hosted annually by the Irish World Academy, University of Limerick, Blas is firmly established as one of Ireland’s most...

Rose Week at Altamont Gardens

24 Jun 2013 - 28 Jun 2013

Rose Week at Altamont Gardens showcases the wonderful variety, colour patterns and scents of this magnificent rose collection....

Mick Conneely & David Munnelly at The Steeple Sessions

25 Jun 2013 - 25 Jun 2013

Fiddle and Bouzouki player Mick Conneely joins virtuoso box player Dave Munnelly to celebrate their recent duet album 'Tis What It...

Brú Ború Summer Show

25 Jun 2013 - 10 Aug 2013

During the summer months from June right through until late August enjoy traditional Irish entertainment nights at the Brú Ború...

Carrick on Shannon Water Music Festival

25 Jun 2013 - 30 Jun 2013

The week long Carrick-on-Shannon Water Music Festival features the Lakelands Gala Proms as one of its highlight events. Directed...

Mick McAuley, Winifred Horan & Colm O' Caoimh at The Steeple Sessions

27 Jun 2013 - 27 Jun 2013

SOLAS has long been heralded as one of the most innovative and exciting bands to emerge on the Irish music scene over the last two...

Strawberry Festival

28 Jun 2013 - 30 Jun 2013

The Strawberry Festival is one of Ireland's oldest and most diverse of festivals. There is music from local and national artists,...

Éigse Shéamais Ui Mhaolchataigh

28 Jun 2013 - 30 Jun 2013

Éigse Shéamais Ui Mhaolchataigh is a celebration of the Irish language, traditions and culture as written and spoken in the Deise...

Newmarket Summer Festival

28 Jun 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

What better way to kick-start the kids' summer holidays than at Newmarket Summer Festival. The festival has marked the arrival of...

Mourne International Walking Festival 2013

28 Jun 2013 - 01 Jul 2013

Set within the spectacular scenery of the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are walks to suit all levels of fitness...

Belfast Pride

28 Jun 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

Belfast Pride is Ireland's largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans festival appealing to audiences of over 15,000 people each...

Hay Festival Kells

28 Jun 2013 - 30 Jun 2013

The inaugural Hay Festival Kells will take place over three days in June in Kells, Co. Meath. Some programme highlights so far...

Celtic Fusion International Music and Arts Festival

28 Jun 2013 - 01 Jul 2013

This year the main event is launched on Friday 18th May at 8pm by a Celtic Fusion Showcase concert in the fabulous Lodge Cultural...

Deireadh Seachtain na Gaeilge

28 Jun 2013 - 29 Jun 2013

Deireadh Seachtain na Gaeilge is a festival promoting Irish language and culture. Festival events are held in Irish and include a...

West Cork Chamber Music Festival

28 Jun 2013 - 06 Jul 2013

The West Cork Chamber Music Festival will be welcoming world-class ensembles and a host of top international soloists for nine...

Craic In The Granite

28 Jun 2013 - 30 Jun 2013

Craic In The Granite is a major new music and arts festival being held in Aughrim, Wicklow which will appeal to families, children...

Drogheda Samba Festival

28 Jun 2013 - 30 Jun 2013

Drogheda Samba Festival is a three day celebration of the Samba music, dance and costume with workshops, open air and pub gigs and...

Westport Festival of Food and Music

29 Jun 2013 - 30 Jun 2013

Set amidst a stunning 400 acre site in the heart of Westport town in Mayo, Westport Festival of Music and Food is an annual...

Bangor 400 Seashore Festival

29 Jun 2013 - 01 Jul 2013

2013 marks the 400th Anniversary of Bangor’s town charter with a year-long programme of events to celebrate the cultural history...

Annual International Festival for Irish Harp - An Chúirt Chruitireachta

30 Jun 2013 - 05 Jul 2013

The 28th International Harp Festival - An Chúirt Chruitireachta will feature evening concerts, workshops and a harp exhibition. A...

Hup! Festival and Connacht Fleadh Cheoil

30 Jun 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

The Hup! Festival is an exciting new, weeklong celebration of all that is good about traditional Irish music, song, dance and...

Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles

30 Jun 2013 - 30 Jun 2013

Powerscourt Estate and Chapterhouse Theatre Company are delighted to present 'Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles'....

Seosamh MacGabhann Summer School

30 Jun 2013 - 05 Jul 2013

The Seosamh MacGabhann Summer School provides a week of classes with some of the best tutors in traditional Irish music, song,...

Clare Island Art Exhibition: A Tri-Island Art Exhibition

01 Jul 2013 - 31 Aug 2013

Clare Island Art Exhibition: A Tri-Island Art Exhibition will run throughout July and August in the community centre. Works from...

12th Annual Laois Walks Festival

01 Jul 2013 - 31 Jul 2013

The 12th Annual Laois Walks Festival features 23 walks at 21 locations in woodlands, mountains, bogs, canals and minor roads.

Coleman Bodhrán School

01 Jul 2013 - 05 Jul 2013

The Coleman Bodhrán School is the only summer school on mainland Ireland entirely dedicated to learning and playing the bodhrán....

Inishbofin Summer School

01 Jul 2013 - 05 Jul 2013

Inishbofin Summer School 2013 is a weeklong exploration of the wonderful island of Inishbofin in the company of a...

Clare Island Comhaltas Seisuns

02 Jul 2013 - 27 Aug 2013

Comhaltas Seisuns of traditional Irish music take place every Tuesday evening during July and August. The sessions are presented...

Matt Cranitch & Jackie Daly at The Steeple Sessions

02 Jul 2013 - 02 Jul 2013

De Danann's original box player, the popular Jackie Daly joins renowned fiddler Matt Cranitch for some distinctive Sliabh Luacra...

10 Days in Dublin

03 Jul 2013 - 14 Jul 2013

10 Days in Dublin is a unique event that has grown hugely year on year. It is Ireland's largest open-format, multidisciplinary...

Traditional Music Sessions in Ceoláras Coleman

03 Jul 2013 - 31 Aug 2013

This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the traditional music of south Sligo. Summer sessions are held on Wednesday and Saturday...

Bard Summer School

03 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

Please note dates to be confirmed. Bard Summer School explores the Irish myths and goes on a unique journey of discovery for their...

Roundstone Traditional Irish Nights

03 Jul 2013 - 28 Aug 2013

Roundstone Traditional Irish Nights are nights of music, song & dance performed in the Roundstone community centre every Wednesday...

4th of July Limerick 2013

04 Jul 2013 - 04 Jul 2013

The 4th of July Limerick is a volunteer driven festival created by the people of Limerick to celebrate American Independence whist...

Open Mike Nights on Clare Island

04 Jul 2013 - 29 Aug 2013

Every Thursday evening at Sailor's Bar there is an open mic night which John Hoban MC's. John Hoban is a talented composer,...

American Independence Celebrations at the Folk Park

04 Jul 2013 - 08 Jul 2013

Where better to celebrate the 4th of July than in Frontier America? Be transported back in time to the 1770s as the British...

Galway Cathedral Recitals - Summer Concerts 2013

04 Jul 2013 - 08 Aug 2013

Galway Cathedral Recitals is a series of summer evening concerts, held in the inspirational setting of Galway's stone cathedral,...

Castlebar International Four Days Walking Festival

04 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

Come and meet walkers from more than 21 countries to walk, talk and discover the bogs, rivers, mountains, flora and fauna and the...

Millstreet Summer Gathering

04 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

Millstreet Summer Gathering 2013 will take place over four days to include events that will entertain and satisfy all ages groups....

Robert Boyle Summer School

04 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

The Robert Boyle Summer School which will run over four days from 15th -18th July 10.am -10.pm each day, it is will be devoted to...

James Kelly & John Blake at The Steeple Sessions

04 Jul 2013 - 04 Jul 2013

James Kelly, regarded as one of the greatest Irish traditional fiddlers alive today, is joined by highly sought after guitarist...

Castlebar International Four Days Walking Festival

04 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

Come and meet walkers from more than 21 countries to walk, talk and discover the bogs, rivers, mountains, flora and fauna and the...

Féile Brian Ború Festival

04 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

The beauty of the picturesque twin towns of Killaloe & Ballina awaits you during the 20th annual Féile Brian Ború. As it is the...

Swift Satire Festival

04 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

The Swift Satire Festival is unique, no other festival in the world is dedicated to satire in all its forms (apart from one in...

Armada Set Dancing Week

05 Jul 2013 - 14 Jul 2013

During July 2013, the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point will host an exciting week of set dancing. Don't miss it! There will be set...

The Mythical Island Workshop

05 Jul 2013 - 12 Jul 2013

The Mythical Island Workshop is an 8 day mythical adventure for the writer/explorer that wants to discover and develop their...

Traidphicnic

05 Jul 2013 - 06 Jul 2013

Blaisín d'ár gceol, ealaíon agus cultúr traidisiúnta. A taste of traditional music, arts and culture. The first Traidphicnic was...

Ennis Street Festival

05 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

The 8th edition of Ennis Street Festival will bring all the local community out onto the streets of Ennis town to celebrate the...

Clonmel Junction Festival

05 Jul 2013 - 14 Jul 2013

This annual arts festival takes place for ten days each July. The festival hosts international theatre, emerging theatre,...

Bray Summerfest

05 Jul 2013 - 05 Aug 2013

Bray Summerfest is a family event. Fun, family and community are at the heart of Bray. Bray is situated on the east coast of...

Derravaragh Music Association Summer Concert

06 Jul 2013 - 06 Jul 2013

Tullynally has been the home of the Pakenham family, later Earls of Longford, for 350 years. The great hall of the castle has...

Galway Garden Festival

06 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

The unique Galway Garden Festival held in Claregalway Castle attracts speakers and visitors from France, Scotland, England &...

The Tempest at Wells House

06 Jul 2013 - 06 Jul 2013

William Shakespeare's The Tempest is bound for Wells House and Gardens in July. The play will be staged in front of Wells House –...

South of Ireland Band Championships

06 Jul 2013 - 06 Jul 2013

The not-to-be-missed 34th annual competition attracts the top brass and concert bands providing a complimentary feast of own...

68th All Ireland Pipe Band Championship

06 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

Come along to a superb family day out and watch the best Pipe Bands and Drum Majors in the World compete for the coveted title of...

The Lovely Girls at The Steeple Sessions

06 Jul 2013 - 06 Jul 2013

The Lovely Girls are Caoimhe Hogarty (vocals, percussion, mandolin), Pauline Burke (vocals, bodhran, banjo) and Sonja Krzyzanowski...

Groove Music Festival

06 Jul 2013 - 07 Jul 2013

Groove is a new and unique two day afternoon/evening music festival taking place on the doorstep of Dublin on 6th and 7th July....

Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy / Willie Clancy Summer School

06 Jul 2013 - 14 Jul 2013

The annual Willie Clancy Summer School is now in its 41st year. It was established to promote the study and practice of Irish...

Kinsale Arts Festival

06 Jul 2013 - 14 Jul 2013

Kinsale is one of Ireland's most beautiful harbour towns, and Kinsale Arts Festival is the time to visit. Art events pop up all...

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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

Leinster Way Gathering The Carlow Show
Leinster Way Gathering The Carlow Show

A Carlow Show, providing a high quality evening's entertainment with a...

Belfast Pride
Belfast Pride

Belfast Pride is Ireland's largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans...

See all listings

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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.