The Best of Ireland's Festivals and Events

If there were a world championhip of festivals, Ireland would be top of the table. There are literally hundreds of festivals held throughout the year, with something for everyone. Festivals worth planning your trip around include.

March

Ireland erupts into one giant celebration on St Patrick's Day (17 March). The biggest beano is in Dublin, where the streets reverberate to a cacophony of parades, fireworks and light shows for five days.

April

Spring is in the air. Join the fillies and stallions in the dress circle at the Irish Grand National (County Meath; Easter Monday), the showcase race in the national hunt season. It takes place at Fairyhouse Racetrack, a short hop from Dublin.

May

Immerse yourself in traditional music at Fleadh Nua (Ennis, County Clare; third week of May), one of the country's most important music festivals.

June

Even if you're not a horsey type, it's well worth experiencing the passion, atmosphere and general craic (good fun) of the Irish Derby (County Kildare; first week in June). It's held at Curragh Racecourse, the oldest and most revered course in the country.
Retrace Leopold Bloom's steps through the streets of Dublin on Bloomsday (Dublin; 16 June), the festival celebrating the day Joyce's Ulysses takes place. Edwardian dress and a breakfast of 'the inner organs of beast and fowl' are but two features of the fun.

July

The most important arts festival in the country, the Galway Arts Festival (Galway, last two weeks of July) sees Galway City burst with music, drama and merriment.

August

The mother of all Irish music festivals, the Fleadh Cheoil nah Éireann (venue varies; end of August) 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.
Said to be the largest community festival in Ireland, the Féile an Phobail (Belfast; early August) takes place in West Belfast over 10 days. Events include an opening carnival parade, street parties, theatre performances and concerts.

September

Autumn sees the culmination of the season for the hurling and the Gaelic football championships at the All-Ireland Finals (Dublin; second and fourth Sundays of September), with 80,000-plus thronging into Croke Park for the biggest sporting days of the year.