Hands up who loves a good festival! I do! There’s something to suit all tastes from music and arts to walking and food. You’re spoiled for choice. To plan your visit to Ireland with a festival I thought it would be a good idea to do a round-up of the must go to festivals. Whatever month you visit Ireland there’ll always be some festival on.
JANUARY
Temple Bar Tradfest runs from the end of January in different locations around Dublin City. It’s a wonderful festival showcasing the cream of both Irish and international trad and folk artists while also providing a stage to promote the next generation of Irish musicianship.
FEBRUARY
Dublin International Film Festival
Not only is the Dublin International Film Festival Ireland’s most popular film festival, but it’s also one of the top ten film festivals in Europe. Presenting the best in emerging Irish and international film, the festival also includes Q&A sessions, workshops, talks, exhibitions, and awards. The festival usually runs from the end of February to the beginning of March.
MARCH
St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin City is not only one of the best St Patrick’s Festivals in Ireland, but also the most well known worldwide. St. Patrick’s Day falls on March 17th annually, and the festival usually takes place across five days. Of course, if you can’t make it to Dublin each city, town, and village in Ireland put on their own St. Patrick’s Day festival and parade, so wherever you are in Ireland you won’t miss out on the celebrations.
The Dingle Walking Festival is a popular winter event held in the middle of March. The festival offers a variety of guided coastal and hill walks in the area around the bustling town of Dingle at the western end of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.
APRIL
West Waterford Festival of Food
The West Waterford Festival of Food has been going strong since 2008. It’s set in the picturesque harbour town of Dungarvan in Waterford. If driving from Dublin it’ll take you a little over two hours and twenty minutes to reach. One of the best food festivals in Ireland, West Waterford Festival of Food is a celebration of locally produced food and drink. From trails and tours to talks and tasting experiences, the festival is also a family-friendly experience with outdoor entertainment and food markets that take place in a number of landmark sites around the town – from the Farmers Market at Gratton Square, to Quayside Market at Davitt’s Quay.
MAY
The Dublin Dance Festival runs around mid-May. It’s the leading dance event on the Irish arts scene. The festival brings together dance artists and choreographers from across the world to share vibrant contemporary dance with audiences in Ireland.
Mayo International Choral Festival
The Mayo International Choral Festival runs around the last week of May. The festival takes the form of several international male/female adult choirs travelling to Mayo to partake on a competitive and non-competitive basis. Their visit includes a number of evening and daily performances county-wide, tours of Mayo and a gala concert on Saturday night. The theme of the festival is to allow choirs to meet with other choirs, relax and enjoy a great weekend in the beautiful West of Ireland.
Uisneach Bealtaine Fire Celebration
Uisneach Bealtaine Fire Celebration, which is one of the most sacred festivals in Ireland, takes place on UNESCO World Heritage Site of The Hill of Uisneach each May. The Hill of Uisneach is considered to be one the most sacred and historical place in Ireland. It’s also known as the centre of Ireland, because at its heart lies the ‘Aill na Mireann’, or the ‘Stone of Divisions’. Also known as the ‘Cat Stone’ this was considered the point where the five provinces of Ireland met. The fifth province, being a province of magic, imagination, an ‘otherworld’ so to speak, was known as Mide.
Listowel Writers’ Week Literary Festival
Listowel Writers’ Week Literary Festival runs around the first week in June. It’s an internationally acclaimed literary festival devoted to bringing together writers and audiences at unique events. The programme content includes workshops, competitions, readings, lectures, art exhibitions, music, and literary and historical tours.
Forbidden Fruit is a unique Dublin city centre festival that combines music, art, fashion, and food. Held on the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the festival-goer has a choice of music set across four stages.
JUNE
Seafest is Ireland’s largest maritime festival that takes place at the Cork City Quays. It runs from the Friday to the Sunday of the June Bank Holiday from 10am to 6pm, making it an ideal free family-friendly festival. Celebrating all things maritime, the festival includes interactive activities for all ages. From boarding vessels to sailing them. From learning about the sea and sea creatures to dining on them! There’s a dedicated Kids Zone and a Music Stage.
The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival
The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival runs around the June Bank Holiday weekend. This festival has grown from a small event to an internationally acclaimed festival showcasing the very best in Irish and international comedic talent. The festival attracts in excess of 30,000 visitors to Kilkenny.
Immrama Lismore Festival of Travel Writing
Immrama Lismore Festival of Travel Writing runs from the middle of June. My heart skipped a beat when I discovered this festival as I had no clue that a travel writing festival existed here in Ireland. Immrama is held in Lismore, Co. Waterford and has been dedicated to the art of travel writing, good music, and fine entertainment since its beginning in 2003.
Sea Sessions runs from the end of June. Held in Bundoran, Co. Donegal, it claims to be the beach party weekend of the year.
JULY
Castlepalooza Music and Arts Festival
Castlepalooza Music and Arts Festival runs from the first weekend in July 2016. Held in Charleville Castle; as well as listening to the music, ticket holders have exclusive daily access to the castle where there art and film exhibitions, workshops and some surprise performances.
Expect 5 days of over 150 street performances from jaw-dropping international talent, feel-good family health and wellness area with Laya Healthcare, a live music stage with bop-worthy bands, an even bigger Just Eat Street food market with delicious global cuisines from barbecue to bratwurst to burritos, football skills arena and football freestylers, an imaginative play universe for kids and hands-on lego model building, children’s storytelling and creative writing, vintage funfair rides and a plethora of free spectacular programming for all ages.
Galway International Arts Festival
Galway International Arts Festival runs during the middle of July. It’s a creative collision of performance, music, visual art, theatre, and spectacle. As well as organised events, the cobbled streets of Galway are transformed where every turn offers the possibility of a new adventure; surreal giant puppets snaking through the streets, enchanting music, enthralling musicians and awe-inspiring street theatre.
Longitude runs from the middle of July in Dublin’s Marlay Park. It is a no-camping festival. With acts such as The Lumineers, The Coronas and The National, it’s one not to be missed.
AUGUST
The Kilkenny Arts Festival usually runs around the beginning of August. It has gathered many of the world’s finest musicians, performers, writers, and artists. The city’s churches, castle, courtyards, townhouses, and gardens provide a magical setting for these unique performances.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival
This festival runs from the middle of August. It’s well-known here in Ireland and abroad if you’re of Irish descent. The festival incorporates seven fun-filled days of live music, children’s entertainment, fashion shows, workshops, markets, a circus, a funfair, and the Rose parade; all culminating in the RTE Rose of Tralee TV show broadcast. The TV show, which is broadcast around the world, focuses on 28 or so women from all over the world who are Irish or of Irish descent and one is picked to be the Rose of Tralee. It’s considered a multi-faceted event, which celebrates the many attributes of the modern Irish woman.
Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival
The festival runs from the end of August. It’s a four-day celebration, held in Waterville, Co. Kerry, packed with really creative events, premiers, screenings, parades, talks, workshops, entertainment, award ceremonies, the arts, lots of parties 1920′s style and much more. The festival includes some truly unique venues and events being provided in partnership with entertainers who are also true Chaplin admirers.
SEPTEMBER
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival runs from the beginning of September to the beginning of October. It claims to be the biggest singles festival in Europe, so if you’re looking for love this is the place to go 😉 It’s an unusual festival, in that matchmaking has died out in Ireland (thankfully!) but not in Lisdoonvarna. There are a number of events running during the six weeks and you’ll get a chance to meet Willie Daly, a third-generation matchmaker and one of Ireland’s last traditional matchmakers.
Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival
Launched in 1954 the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival is one of the longest-running festivals in Ireland. It is known nationally as one of the best festivals in Ireland and has been referred to as one of the best festivals in Europe. Along with lots of oyster eating, the festival celebrates with musical performances, street performances, talks, walks and the renowned ‘Irish and World Oyster Opening Championships’ also known as ‘shucking’ for those in the know.
The Dublin Theatre Festival runs from the end of September to the middle of October. It’s 18 days of world-class theatre and entertainment from home and abroad. The festival programme incorporates theatre, music, dance, family events, artist talks, public discussions and artist development programmes.
OCTOBER
Bram Stoker Festival runs around the October Bank Holiday Weekend in Dublin. This eerily exciting festival is inspired by the heritage of world-famous Dublin horror novelist Bram Stoker and his notorious novel Dracula.
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival runs around the October Bank Holiday Weekend. This is Ireland’s biggest and longest established jazz event and has taken place annually since 1978. Each year the festival attracts hundreds of musicians and many thousands of music fans to the city for a feast of jazz of all kinds.
NOVEMBER
Mayo Dark Skies Festival takes place along the Wild Atlantic Way in the towns of Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy in County Mayo. This three-day festival includes talks, workshops, walks, and of course stargazing. From storytelling by torchlight in ‘Teepee an Seanchai’ (a Seanchai is a traditional Irish storyteller) to stargazing walks along the Great Western Greenway, Mayo Dark Skies Festival is about three communities coming together to educate, entertain and enliven the natural skies of the Wild Atlantic Way. Learn about astronomy, science and the environment. Witness the beauty of the natural dark skies of Mayo (there are over 15,000 hectares of it) and how to preserve them.
Sneem International Storytelling and Folklore Festival
Sneem International Storytelling and Folklore Festival runs from the middle of November. It’s a weekend of storytelling and folklore with lectures, story swaps, walks, and concerts.
Subtitle European Film Festival
Subtitle European Film Festival runs from the end of November in Kilkenny. The festival showcases the most popular European films from recent years, and centres around actors and casting directors, closing with the Angela Awards on the final Sunday in The Set Theatre.
Winterval runs from the end of November to the day before Christmas Eve. It is a delightful Christmas festival for the young and young at heart and is packed with seasonal events and activities set in unique heritage sites around Waterford City. Winterval takes its inspiration from the enchanting Christmas markets throughout Europe, bringing the collective sights, sounds and festive charms to Ireland’s oldest city.
DECEMBER
New Year’s Festival Dublin is made up of three celebratory events at Custom House Quay. These are all ticketed events. The Countdown Concert which takes place at Custom House Quay at 8pm has a limited number of tickets on sale. It usually features renowned Irish and international music acts. The Liffey Lights Midnight Moment Matinee takes place between 6pm and 7pm and is a build up to The Liffey Lights Midnight Moment. This takes place from 11.30pm. Both of these events are free but tickets are essential and must be booked in advance. If you’d like to ring in the new year in Dublin City illuminated then these Liffey Lights events should be on your list. Expect a spectacular display of lasers and aqua beams, DJs, musicians, aerial and aquatic acrobats – all performing and welcoming a new year on the waters of the River Liffey.
Have you been to any festivals in Ireland? What are your favourites?
Marteen Lane 
I enjoyed this post, Marteen. As a lover of chocolate, I’m surprised you didn’t include any chocolate festivals. Aren’t there any in Ireland? I’ve not yet been to Ireland, but have done 16 countries so far for chocolate and loved every minute of it, including quite a few chocolate festivals.
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Thanks Doreen 😊 I’ve never heard of chocolate festivals here in Ireland. I’ll have to research that thoroughly. We have a lot of food festivals where chocolatiers and other chocolate companies would attend. You’ll be very welcome here in Ireland 😊
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Great post.. Sometimes I forget how much there is to do here! 🙂
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Thank you Emily 😊 There’s so much to do! I had cut down a bit on this post there are so many festivals coming up. I love the name of your blog 😊
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I wish I had a trip to Ireland planned, I love festivals. The names are so fun too, like Castlepalooza and The Cat Laughs? Love it! Definitely passing this on to anyone I know heading there 🙂
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Maybe next year Mar 😊 Definitely come in June and July as there’s more going on then. Yeah the names are fun. Thank you Mar 😊
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Awesome and helpful post, Marteen! I’ll be in Ireland from Apr 7-11. Sadly the only festival that coincides with my visit is the Tango one and I’m a horrible dancer haha… pretty bummed I’m missing the Galway Food Festival! 😦
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Thank you Christina 😊 Well the Tango Festival is for all levels 😊 I couldn’t fit in every single festival in the post so Google festivals in Ireland and you might find one that coincides with your visit. Is it your first time visiting Ireland? I’m going to the Galway Food Festival tomorrow so you can live vicariously through me when I write about it 😊
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Wow you have lots of festival to celebrate there! I think I’m more interested to attend the sea session since I’m a beach type of person 🙂
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Yeah and that was just a handful of them, too many to fit into the post 😊 I’ve heard great things about the Sea Sessions festival.
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Wow,Ireland sure has many festivals in one place. In Philippines there are also plenty of festivals and you would surely love them too.
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We do Karla and even had to cut some out because the post would be too long! I’m sure I would 😊 Have you written a post about festivals in the Philippines?
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A lot of research you’ve done. I have never heard of a walking festival and after under taking a long distance walk (40 days) in Italy, I’d be interested in what they do for this walking festival in Dublin!
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This is such a nice and useful post! It seems there’s plenty of things to do!
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Wow- that’s a great list of festivals. No matter when you visit you can find something to do.
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Is it said that I am 27 and have yet to ever go to a festival…a proper festival…but the music in Ireland is so amazing that would be a great place to start… also…how are there THAT many festivals
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Not at all Kimberly. I’m 30 and I’ve only been to about four festivals. I was 27 when I went to my first proper festival. I know! It’s pretty amazing that there’s so much going on 😊
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This is such a good mix of festivals – from music, to food, to comedy and literature! Personally, I love Irish comedy so I would love to check out the comedy festival 🙂
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Thanks Laura. I actually must update it as two of the festivals are already over 😊 That’s brilliant to read. I often wonder do other people really understand our humour 😊
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So many wonderful festivals! Killarney Beer Fest would definitely be top of my list. You missed off Electric Picnic! I was there in 2011 and it was amazing. Good for couples, groups and even families. So many activities and such varied music! Check it out!
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Yeah I did miss Electric Picnic but the tickets were sold out by the time I made the list. I’ve heard wonderful things about it. I must update it with Longitude and Forbidden.
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Great list Marteen! I’m heading to Longitude this year as I really enjoyed it last year. Would make a great addition to your list 🙂
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Yeah I had it on my list but it was so long but now that I’ve taken off the ones that are finished this year I’ll add few extra 😊 You’ll have a blast Zoë! 😊
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I had no idea that Ireland was so well known for festivals. I would definitely like a few of these including the beer fest, travel writing and party at the beach. Sounds great!
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I’m gutted I can’t make the travel writing one as I can’t drive and bus service is a bit sparse in that area 😞
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Oh wow! So lucky for you to have all these things happening around you. We don’t have festivals from where I live (Middle East, explains so much right?). We need to fly out to attend a festival, it sucks! I’d definitely want to live in a place where there are so many things going on a monthly basis. :p
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Oh what a shame! Where would you fly to?
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Oyster festival sounds great, i have never been to any festival in Europe.
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Well that’s something new to do Nina 😊
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Your festivals are SO different from the ones in Korea, but one thing is the same: the love and celebration of beer! Having been in choirs growing up I’d totally want to check out the choral festival, but I’d probably get all envious and want to sing along lol.
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Haha yes! Beer unites everyone 😂 Oh snap same with me, that’s why I mentioned the choral festival.
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Ah I love a good festival! This is a really useful list, I love Ireland and would love to head over there more!
Milly // Mini Adventures
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You’ll always be welcome Milly 😊
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Ooooh ….. I like the idea of a writing Festival! To be honest, I didn’t realise that Ireland enjoyed lots of Festivals, definitely to bookmark for the future.
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I like a good festival (especially music or food festivals) and would love to spend the summer in Ireland going from one event to the next. The Island Wildlife Weekend sounds really interesting too. I so want to go back to Ireland.
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I hope you get to come back Amanda 😊
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Festivals are so much fun! I think I would pick to go to the The Dublin Dance Festival. I can’t dance, but I love watching people dance. And how cool that they bring artists from all over the world!
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Sign me up for the Clarenbridge Oyster Festival! I love oysters. How do the Irish like to eat their oysters though? I personally like it grilled with a little bit of lime, salt and pepper. I would imagine this festival would feature a variety of ways the oysters can be served up.
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I’m not a fan of oysters at all. But at the festival I’ve just seen people knocking them back straight from the shell and washing it down with a pint of Guinness 😊
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Wow, nice list of festivals! I was in Belfast for St. Patricks Day in 2007 … we wanted to be in Dublin, but booked everything at the last minute, so Belfast it was! But I would love to get to Ireland for some more of these festivals you’ve listed – if there’s one country who knows how to have a good time it’s the Irish!
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Dublin is always booked out coming up to St. Patrick’s Day. I hope you get to come back to experience some of these festivals 😊
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Oh wow, those are a lot of festivals this year!
In Thailand, we have quite a few and websites like Bangkok.com or Siam2nite usually cover them. Most festivals are music or drinks based. It’s nice to see some other kind of festivals around the world.
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Ha! I was in Ireland for the Matchmaking Festival. I couldn’t believe it! The Irish are crazy 🙂
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They’re crazy in that part of the country 😜
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Wow this is such a comprehensive list. I’m going to Europe in the late summer early fall so if I make it to Ireland, I’ll definitely try to check some out!
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Oh how exciting Cynthia! Can’t wait to read about your experience around Europe 😊
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It’s almost overwhelming how much there is to do and how little time there is! And this is just for one country, can you imagine that all other countries have a list that is the same size, or even bigger!!
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I know Anne, even us living here can’t get to every festival. That’s not even half of the festivals that go on each year.
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Holy smokes that’s a lot of festivals. Whoever said Ireland is boring must be crazy, there’s at least one festival every month! I’d love to go to one of those beer fests haha
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😂 I’ve never heard of anyone saying Ireland is boring. Yup there are festivals practically all year round 😊
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Bram Stoker Festival? I must visit Ireland in October! Have you been?
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Afraid not Daniela and I won’t get a chance to either as I’m moving to Canada in August. But it looks like fun 😊
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Great list! It’s always been a lifelong dream of mine to go to a Festival in the U.K. and camp out! There’s just something very whimsical about it. Probably I would be singing a different tune when I’m caked in mud, but hey! Adding these to my list 🙂
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You camp out too at some of the music festivals here in Ireland. Great!
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I just love these kinds of quirky festivals, thanks for sharing! I’ve never heard about Bram Stoker Festival, but I have to add it to my list! We’ve done “Tour Dracula” in Romania some years back, so this would be a nice add to our collection of bizarre sights.
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The Tour Dracula was brilliant I bet! Yes it would be a nice addition if you’re into that 😊
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wow that is a long list of festivals! and such a big variaty. When I think of festivals, it’s usually the dance/trance festivals happening here in the Netherlands that spring to mind. Have fun at the travel writing festival! Look forward to your experiences there.
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That’s not even the half of them Naomi! I’m afraid I won’t be able to make the travel writing festival this year.
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What a great list. The matchmaking festival has always been of interest but I will be in Ireland in July or August, so might have to pick another for this year.
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Thanks Stephanie 😊 Yeah unfortunately it’s in September.
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This is a great list! Congratulations on this amazing post! This makes me want to go soon to a few of them!
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Thanks Brenda 😊 I hope you make it to some of them.
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Really detailed list! I can tell you did your homework 🙂 Ireland is so pretty, I’m sure the festivals there are incredible!
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That’s not even the half of them Briana!
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What a great list of festivals! We try and time our visits to witness at least one festival if possible so this list will really come in handy when we plan our trip to Ireland.
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Brilliant! I’m glad Christina 😊
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I went to the Matchmaking Festival last September (2018). I can officially mark that off the list; I never need to do it again. 😆 Though I’ll gladly visit Lisdoonvarna at some other time to go to the Burren Smokehouse and Roadside Tavern.
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😂 I bet that was an experience to go to the matchmaking festival!
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