Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [622]
Galway Film Fleadh ( 091-751 655; www.galwayfilmfleadh.com) Irish and international releases make up the program at one of the country’s premier film festivals, held in early July.
Galway Arts Festival ( 091-509 700; www.galwayartsfestival.ie) The most important arts festival in the country sees Galway City go mental for the last two weeks of the month, with lots of music and drama to go with the merriment.
Earagail Arts Festival ( 074-916 8800; www.eaf.ie) The most prominent Irish-language festival in the country runs over three weeks in July, with a bilingual program of music, literature, theatre and children’s events.
AUGUST
Electric Picnic ( 01-478 9093; www.electricpicnic.ie) A boutique festival of alternative music in the grounds of Stradbally Hall, County Laois; late August. Comedy, art, and a strong ecofriendly buzz complement the terrific music.
Féile An Phobail West Belfast ( 9031 3440; www.feilebelfast.com) Europe’s largest community arts festival takes place on the Falls Rd in West Belfast over two weeks.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann ( 01-280 0295; www.comhaltas.ie) The mother of all Irish music festivals attracts in excess of 250,000 to whichever town is playing host; it usually takes place over a week toward the end of the month.
Galway Races ( 091-753 870; www.galwayraces.com) The biggest horse racing festival west of the Shannon draws massive crowds. It’s held the first week of the month.
Mary from Dungloe ( 074-952 1254; www.maryfromdungloe.com) Ireland’s second-most important beauty pageant takes place in Dungloe, County Donegal at the beginning of the month – although it’s really an excuse for a giant party, the young women really do want to be crowned the year’s ‘Mary’.
Puck Fair ( 066-976 2366; www.puckfair.ie) Three days of what must be one of the quirkiest festivals in Europe see Killorglin, County Kerry, celebrating the crowning of a goat amidst plenty of mayhem. Held in mid-August.
Rose of Tralee ( 066-712 1322; www.roseoftralee.ie) The County Kerry town plays host to the Irish beauty pageant, which attracts women with Irish links from all over the world. For everyone else, it’s just an opportunity to drink, dance and have fun. It’s held in the third week of the month.
SEPTEMBER
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival ( 065-707 4005; www.matchmakerireland.com) The County Clare town hosts this famous festival that attracts hopefuls from all over; it’s all a bit of fun throughout the month.
Dublin Fringe Festival ( 01-872 9016; www.fringefest.com) Comedy and alternative fringe theatre precedes the main theatre festival and is often a hell of a lot more fun. Runs for two weeks from late September to early October.
Ballinasloe Horse Fair ( 090-964 3453; www.ballinasloe.com) Europe’s oldest horse fair in this Galway town comes with a 10-day family festival that is a highlight of the calendar. Deals are made with just spit and a handshake!
OCTOBER
Dublin Theatre Festival ( 01-677 8439; www.dublintheatrefestival.com) The cream of Irish theatre festivals sees all manner of theatrics at venues throughout the capital.
Cork Film Festival ( 021-427 1711; www.corkfilmfest.org) With a strong emphasis on local and short films, this excellent festival is held in Cork’s three cinemas in early October.
Cork Jazz Festival (www.corkjazzfestival.com) Over the last weekend of the month, the city goes mad for all kinds of jazz in one of the country’s most popular festivals.
All-Ireland Finals ( 01-8363222; www.gaa.ie) The second and fourth Sundays of the month see the finals of the hurling and Gaelic football championships, respectively, with 80,000-plus thronging into Dublin’s Croke Park for the biggest sporting days of the year.
Belfast Festival at Queens ( in UK 020-9097 1197; www.belfastfestival.com) Northern Ireland’s top arts festival attracts performers from all over the world; on offer is everything from visual arts to dance.
Irish Conker Championship ( 056-776