If you have yet to book a flight out of Ireland for some summer fun, don’t despair. June is fast approaching and all corners of the country have fun festivals to offer to homebirds who want to do something a little different with their days off. Check out twenty fun festivals happening all across Ireland in the coming month, and for more information on all, see DiscoverIreland.ie
__________________________
1) Literary Life in Listowel
Sharpen your pencil and lick your nib in preparation for Listowel Writers’ Week, (May 29th – June 2nd), in Co. Kerry. Join in five inspiring days of literature, culture, learning, art, theatre, music, and family events. www.writersweek.ie
2) Go Cross Country In Meath
There are horses for courses but for family fun look no further than the Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country Fair, (May 30th – June 2nd), in Ratoath, Co. Meath. Tattersalls 2013 combines world class equestrian eventing with all the thrills and spills of a traditional country fair. For more, see www.tattshorsetrials.ie
3) Have A Cats Laugh In Kilkenny
Kilkenny is not only the home of hurling – it’s the unofficial capital of comedy too! The Sky Cats Laughs Comedy Festival, (May 30th – June 3rd), presents the world premiere of series two of the smash-hit Irish sitcom, Moone Boy, with its co-star Chris O’Dowd. Also see funny men Dylan Moran, Aidan Bishop, Barry Murphy, and many, many more. www.thecatlaughs.com
4) Bloom In the Park
Blossom at Bloom, (May 30th – June 3rd), Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family event in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Immerse yourself in the spectacular show gardens, savour delicious food and enjoy stunning Irish craft and design. Kids go free! www.bloominthepark.com
5) Ahoy Galway
Join the maiden voyage of the Galway Sea Festival, (May 31st – June 3rd), a jam packed weekend of marine related fun with beach safaris, seafood trails, and sandcastle competitions. Board the MV Celtic Explorer and the Irish Navy vessel the LE Aoife, and see the magnificent parade of sails at the Galway Sea Festival Regatta. www.galwayseafestival.com
6) Walk Tall In Tipp
Explore stunning parts of Tipperary on foot during the, (May31st Glen of Aherlow Walking Festival – June 3rd). Be bowled over by spectacular scenery where the River Aherlow runs between the Galtee Mountains and the wooded ridge of Slievenamuck. www.aherlow.com
7) Jazz It Up In Clare
Feel the blues at The Doonbeg International Jazz Festival, (May 31st – June 4rd), in Co. Clare. This jam packed jazz extravaganza will have bands and performers from all over the world playing a mix of swing, dixie and latin jazz. All events are free. www.doonbegjazz.com
8) Classic Cars in Carlow
Petrol heads from all over the globe will join a journey back in time on the Gordon Bennett Irish Classic Car Run, (May 31st – June 3rd), starting in Laois and ambling through the leafy lanes of Carlow and Kildare. Even if you’re not taking part, it is a thrilling experience to be an onlooker. www.gordonbennettclassic.ie
9) Go Maritime In Cork
Sea dogs will love Ocean to City, (June 1st – 10th), Cork’s maritime festival with dragon boat, currach and kayak trips, harbour cruises, and navy tours. There will also be angling trips and maritime exhibitions and An Ras Mor (The Big Race) a 28km rowing marathon. www.oceantocity.com
10) Get Celtic In Louth
Brush up on your cattle raiding technique at The Tain March, (June 6th – 9th), in Co. Louth, with legendary re-enactments of the Cattle Raid of Hooley, a fleadh ceoil and a warrior’s feast. Wear your best tunic. www.thetainmarch.com
11) Great Gas In Longford
Feel your spirits rise like a balloon and help a good cause at the Helium Music and Arts Festival, (June 8th), a boutique festival in Ballymahon, Co. Longford, in aid of charity. See Mick Flannery, Wallis Bird, Fight Like Apes and Hermitage Green, and more! www.heliumfestival.com
12) Give It A Go In Mayo
Get the adrenalin pumping at Give it a Go, (June 15th – 16th), an action packed event on Achill Island in Co, Mayo. Try your hand at all sorts of land and water based activities, with low cost taster sessions in everything from surfing and sailing to horse riding. www.achilltourism.com
13) Make A Splash In Roscommon
Make a splash at the Open Water Swimmer’s Lough Key Lake Swim, (June 15th), in the Forest Park in Co. Roscommon. Swim either 750m or 1500m with prizes and goody bags on offer. www.openwaterswimmer.ie
14) Meet Bearded Wonders In Galway
Ballymoe in Co. Galway is aiming to break the world record for having the largest number of bearded men in one place at the Town of 1000 Beards, (June 28th). Bearded wonders from the seven continents of the world have been invited to attend and the weekend will be packed with music, craic, storytelling, and poetry. www.discoverireland.ie/whats-on
15) Music & Magic in Westmeath
Set your sat-nav for magical Ballinlough Castle in Co. Westmeath, the enchanting venue for Body & Soul, (June 21st – 23rd), one of Ireland’s best loved boutique festivals. Headlining this year include Solange, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Charles Bradley. All campers welcome! www.bodyandsoul.ie
16) Enjoy Celtic fringe
Artists from Celtic regions including Scotland, Galicia and England will use the tragic voyage of the 1588 Spanish Armada as a connecting theme for theCeltic Fringe Festival, (June 20th – 24th), in Grange and North Sligo. The Grange Session Trail promises to be a highlight. www.celticfringefest.com
17) Get In Gear In Donegal
Put the foot on the pedal and head to the North West to the Donegal International Rally, (June 21st – 23rd). Enjoy the thrills and spills as the rally covers 300 kilometres of exciting fast paced action. www.donegalrally.ie
18) Make Music in Leitrim
Enjoy great music and river fun at the Carrick on Shannon Water Music Festival, (June 25th – 30th), in Co. Leitrim. Highlights include the Lakelands Gala Proms, with street entertainment, pub music trails, continental market, craft fair and the Moon River pleasure cruiser. www.carrickonshannonwatermusic.com
19) Tee Up In Kildare
Carton House in Co. Kildare is the stately setting for the Discover Ireland Irish Golf Open, (June 27th – 30th). Tee up for a thrilling weekend with Paul McGinley, Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup Captain, who is set to join Irish golf heroes Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell and stars from around the world. www.europeantour.com
20) Drum Beats In Drogheda
Skip to the beat of more than 300 drummers at the annual Drogheda Samba Festival, (June 28th – 30th), on the banks of the River Boyne in Co. Louth. This is the event’s 20th birthday with bands from all over the world including the UK, France, Germany, Spain and West Africa. www.droghedasamba.com
