Event Details

January 

NYF Dublin, Dublin, 30th – 1st

Dublin’s grand New Year’s Eve festival, which takes place over three days and features an array of cultural events.

Temple Bar Tradfest, Dublin 25th – 29th

Ireland’s largest traditional Irish music festival, Tradfest takes place in historic venues across the city of Dublin.

Music for Galway Midwinter Festival, 22nd – 24th

A festival of music, film and literature held at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway.

February

Ted Fest, Craggy Island, 23rd – 26th

Held on Craggy Island, off the coast of County Galway, the festival is the annual convention of fans of the TV show Father Ted.

Dine in Dublin Festival, Dublin

During one week in February, Dublin’s best-known restaurants and chefs prepare a special menu to allow guests and visitors to experience their best dishes.

Corofin Trad Festival, Corofin, February 29th – March 6th

Traditional Irish Music festival with concerts, workshops and sessions held in local pubs.

March

St Patrick’s Day, 17th, All over

Ireland’s patron saint’s day is celebrated throughout the country and even the world, with traditional parades, Irish songs and music.

Aran Celtic Music Festival, Aran Islands

Taking place on the Aran Islands, the three-day festival showcases the best of Celtic music, song and dance.

1848 Tricolour Celebration, Waterford

The festival celebrates the unveiling of the first Irish Tricolour flag by Thomas Francis Meagher in Waterford City.

Dingle International Film Festival, Dingle

Usually held over St Patrick’s weekend, the festival features screenings from Ireland and around the globe. There are also workshops and live music in the local pubs.

Pan Celtic Arts Festival, Carlow

A competition between six Celtic nations, featuring traditional musicians, singers and dancers.

West Cork Motor Rally, West Cork

Petrol heads should head to West Cork over St. Patrick’s weekend to witness part of the famous rally, taking in 160 miles of the dramatic Irish landscape.

Cork French Film Festival, Cork

This festival presents an array of short films, documentaries and educational films in French and also hosts lectures, master classes, workshops and audio-visual presentations.

April

Cúirt International Festival of Literature, Galway City, 23rd – 30th

An international literature festival attracting a variety of international writers, speakers and authors.

Cork International Choral Festival, Cork, 26th - 30th

Held annually over five days before the first Monday in May, the event welcomes choirs from around the world.

Galway Food Festival, Galway, 13th- 17th

Held over Easter bank holiday weekend, the festival aims to highlight the diverse food culture of Galway and focuses on artisan, seasonal and local produce.

Fairyhouse Easter Festival, 16th - 18th

The Irish Grand National horse racing event, held over Easter weekend.

May 

International Literature Festival, Dublin, 20th - 29th

Ireland’s premier literary event, bringing together some of the best authors, playwrights, poets, lyricists and screenwriters from around the world.

Dublin Dance Festival, Dublin, 18th - 28th

Ireland’s leading dance event, featuring some of the best dance artists and choreographers from across the world.

Killarny Beerfest, Killarney, 26th - 28th

A must for all beer fans, Beerfest features everything from brewing demonstrations to tastings and pairings.

Ballymaloe Litfest of Food and Wine, County Cork, 19th - 21st

A festival celebrating food and wine writing, featuring everyone from authors and chefs to wine experts, gardeners, journalists and bloggers.

Wexford Food and Wine Festival, Wexford, 27th - 29th

One of the best food and drink festivals in the south east of Ireland, it hosts an array of food and drink exhibitors from across the region.

June 

Listowel Writer’s Week, Listowel County Kerry, 31st May – 4th June

Internationally acclaimed literary festival, featuring award-winning Irish and international writers.

Bloom, Dublin, 1st – 5th

One of Ireland’s most popular festivals, Bloom is the country’s leading horticulture and food event.

The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, Kilkenny,

A comedy festival featuring some of the best Irish and international leading talents.

Cork Harbour Festival, Cork, 3rd – 11th

Taking place in the second largest natural harbour in the world, the festival celebrates Ireland’s unique maritime culture and heritage.

Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork, 16th – 25th

The festival features a vast programme of arts events for all ages and uses the city and its backdrop as inspiration.

Taste of Dublin, Dublin, 15th – 18th

One of Ireland’s best culinary events, championing Ireland’s leading chefs from around the country.

Donegal International Rally, Donegal, 16th – 18th June

A challenging tarmac car rally, the event attracts drivers from all over Ireland and the UK and takes in the Knockalla Coast Road and the expansive bog landscape of Glen.

July

City Spectacular, Dublin 7th – 9th | Cork 15th – 16th

One of Ireland’s biggest summer festivals, the event takes place first in Dublin and then in Cork. It features over 200 shows, workshops and activities.

West Cork Music Festival, Bantry, 30th June – 8th July

A showcase of quality musical talent for both local and international audiences.

Galway Races, Galway, 31st July – 6th August

Ireland’s biggest and most famous horse races, held at the Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway.

Reek Sunday, Westport

An annual pilgrimage, dating back 500 years, to the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick, in honor of Ireland’s patron saint.

Earagail Arts Festival, County Donegal, 4th – 23rd

A summer festival of music, theatre and visual arts for all ages.

West Cork Literary Festival, Bantry, throughout July

Featuring Irish and international authors, the festival programme includes talks, workshops and a chance to meet the writers themselves. There is also a special programme for children.

Galway International Arts Festival, 17th – 30th

Seen as one of Europe’s key cultural events, the festival is a showcase for performers, writers, musicians and artists from Ireland and across the world.

August 

Dublin Horse Show, 9th – 13th

First held in 1864, the show celebrates Ireland’s affinity with horses and is one of the highlights of the summer calendar, attracting visitors from around the world.

Spraoi, Waterford, 4th – 6th

Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kilkenny, 11th – 20th

Founded by a group of classical music enthusiasts, the festival features a variety of music, theatre and dance performances, located in historic venues across the city. 

Rose of Tralee, County Kerry, 16th – 22nd

A celebration of Irish culture, women of Irish descent come from all over the world in the hopes of being crowned the Rose of Tralee.

Puck Fair, Killorgiln, 10th – 12th

During this three-day festival, which been running for over 400 years, a wild mountain goat is crowned king and reigns over the town. Puck fair is officially Ireland’s oldest festival (and one of the most unique).

Gathering of the Boats, Kinvarna, County Galway, 18th – 20th

During this celebration of seafaring, visitors will be able to see a variety of vessels, from traditional rowboats to large hookers, over 150 years old.

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Ennis, 13th – 21st

The Festival of Music in Ireland is a traditional Irish music competition, which has been running for over 60 years.

Loughrea Medieval Festival, County Galway

The festival celebrates the founding of the medieval town and features family-friendly interactive events, teaching audiences about medieval life.

National Heritage Week, Ireland, 19th 27th

This nationwide festival aims to promote awareness of Irish heritage through its nature, architecture and culture.

September 

Galway Oyster Festival, Galway, 22nd – 24th

The oldest oyster festival in the world, the event is one of the most internationally recognised events on the Irish calendar and is celebrated with seafood trails, street parades and entertainment.

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, 1st September – 7th October

One of Europe’s largest single’s events, during this month-long festival people come from all over, hoping to meet their match. The programme also features dances, concerts and pub-crawls.
 

Waterford Harvest Festival, 9th – 11th

A celebration of harvest time, the festival centres on everything to do with food and focuses on local and smaller producers.

National Ploughing Championships, 19th – 21st

Europe’s largest outdoor exhibition and agriculture trade show, the event features over 1,500 exhibitors, as well as a ploughing competition.

Dublin Fringe Festival, Dublin, 9th – 24th

14 days of arts performances, from circus and comedy to theatre, dance, music and even wrestling.

October 

Ballinasloe October Fair, Ballinasloe, 1st – 8th

One of Europe’s oldest horse fairs, the festival dates back to the 18th century and is renowned for its show jumping events, horse riding and equestrian activities.

Guinness Jazz Festival, County Cork, 27th – 30th

Taking place at the end of October each year, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is one of Ireland’s most important cultural events and is held in over 90 venues across the county.

Cork Folk Festival, Cork, 28th September – 1st October

One of south Ireland’s most important folk and traditional music festivals, performances take place in various venues across the city.

Wexford Festival Opera, Wexford

One of the world’s leading opera festivals, the event aims to bring life to forgotten masterpieces and features and variety of performances. 

Kinsale Gourmet Festival, Kinsale, 13th – 15th

A fun food and drinks festival, featuring food trails, live music, locally sourced meals, a chowder cooking competition and a champagne reception.

Wexford Fringe Festival

An arts festival running parallel to the Wexford Festival Opera, featuring an eclectic mix of over 300 events, from circus and comedy to music, theatre and puppetry.

Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival, County Meath, 13th October – 5th November

A delightfully terrifying Halloween festival, the event features everything from graveyard tours and haunted hill walks to terror houses and spooks and spells.

November 

Cork Film Festival

Ireland’s oldest film festival, showcasing a wide selection of contemporary world cinema and offering a lively music programme.

Waterford Winterval, Waterford, 25th November – 23rd December

Waterford’s Christmas festival, featuring a myriad of events from carol singing and light shows to vintage fairground rides and a traditional Christmas market.

TULCA Festival of Visual Arts, Galway,13th -19th

This annual festival takes place in Galway and features a dynamic programme of events from both national and international artists.

Irish Fly Fair and International Angling Show, Galway, 11th – 12th

Held at the Galway Bay Hotel, this is Ireland’s biggest fly fishing event. Top angling celebrities will be present and there will be a wide range of talks and seminars.

Bake Fest, Galway

Ireland’s largest baking, cake decorating, food and family festival. The event features competitions, kitchen theatre demonstrations and an array of exhibitors.

December 

Winter Solstice at Newgrange, Boyne Valley

The festival is held at Newgrange, a 5,200-year-old passage tomb built by Stone Age farmers. The passage and chamber align during the winter solstice.

Connemara 4 Seasons Walking Festival

Explore the area of Connemara with local guides who provide an insight into the unique cultural, historical and architectural heritage of the area.

Galway Christmas Market, Galway

Traditional Christmas market featuring gift stalls, Santa’s grotto and German Christmas food.  

Portmagee Traditional Old Year Festival, Portmagee

Held on New Year’s Eve, the festival features a unique costume parade called the ‘Old Year’.