Up for a bit of craic? Whether you happen to be visiting Ireland or just someone who appreciates the arts, music or a good time then we have a number of recommendations for you this summer.
A few tips:
1. Get planning: you don’t want to try and buy a ticket only to find that they’re all
sold out
2. Short on cash: Many of the festivals take volunteers so check their website to see if there’s any information
3. Pack the sunscreen and a rain jacket: The unpredictable Irish weather has been known to surprise festival goers.
Earagail Arts Festival – 10th – 28rd July
Earagail Arts Festival is a bilingual (Irish and English language), multidisciplinary arts festival which takes place along the North West coast of Ireland in different places in magical County Donegal. Local and international performers and artists reveal their talents in every type of venue you can imagine from theatres and galleries to forests and beaches.
Longitude – 5th – 7th July
At Longitude top acts take to the stage to bring the audience some of the best music at a festival in Ireland. This year headliners include A$AP Rocky, Chance the Rapper and none other than the excellent Cardi B. Day tickets will set you back €79.50 and weekend tickets €199.50. Well worth it for music lovers!!!!
Independence – 4th – 6th August
There’s no better way to celebrate the August Bank Holiday weekend than at Independence in Deer Park in Mitchelstown, Cork. The music and arts festival has over the past few years featured both top international and Irish names, this year Bastille, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Biffy Clyro and Gavin James take the stage. Tickets for the full three days cost between €109 and €149.
Beatyard – 3th – 4th August
Head down to Dun Laoghaire Harbour in County Dublin for Beatyard but also other yards including Eatyard, which comprises of 50 food areas, demos, food competitions and workshops, Gamesyard with loads of games for adults and kids and among others Boatyard where you can party to your heart’s content on – you guessed it a boat. This year’s performances include Groove Armada Live, Grandmaster Flash and Chvrches. One day tickets for €59 and weekend tickets for €99.
Fleadh Ceoil – 11th – 18st August
The Fleadh Ceoil is the largest festival in the country for traditional Irish music. Musicians, singers and dancers compete to win All-Ireland titles while spectators enjoy the fantastic atmosphere and in the evening head down to the pub to listen to live music and sip on a pint. The location of the Fleadh Ceoil changes every year and for a second year running will be hosted in Drogheda in 2019.
Electric Picnic – 30 August – 1 September
Electric Picnic has been compared to the UK’s Glastonbury and since its debut in 2004 has become one of the most popular arts and music festivals in Ireland. Among other awards, it won the title of Best Medium-Sized European Festival at the 2010 European Festival Awards. 2019 sees great acts such as The Strokes, Florence + The Machine, Hozier and The 1975 take to the stage. If you’re camping be prepared for sun or mud. Better buy your tent now if you’re going!!!!
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival – 30 August – 29 September
Still single and wondering what you’re doing wrong? It wouldn’t hurt to try the Matchmaking Festival at Lisdoonvarna, County Clare. Pubs in the area host some of the top names in country music and the streets are full of music, song, dance and craic. The festival in Ireland is over 150 years old and is expecting 40,000 people in attendance this year. Surely one of them is right for you…
While you are here, take the opportunity to get out and see some of this wonderful country of ours. Take a day tour from Dublin with Wild Rover Tours and you could be exploring ancient monasteries in Wicklow, castles in Kilkenny or following in the footsteps of giants at Giants Causeway.