Festivals

What’s on your festival bucket list this year?   Ireland’s festival scene is gearing up for an exciting year in 2026, with a line-up of events to suit every age and interest. From artisan food and live music festivals, to sporting and cultural showcases, outdoor adventures, science extravaganzas, and spine-tingling scare attractions, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a first look at...

Killarney’s mountains, lakes, and ancient woodlands will once again explode into life as Wander Wild Festival - Ireland’s premier outdoor and wellness festival - returns from 17th-19th April 2026.  Now in its 5th year, the festival has unveiled its most ambitious programme yet with over 120 events, blending  adventure and wellness in one of the world’s most breath-taking landscapes, the 26,000-acre UNESCO-protected...

  The historic city of Armagh celebrates its Georgian heritage in an award-winning festival full of spectacle and immersive fun.   The annual Georgian Festival (27–30 November) transforms Armagh into a late eighteenth-century city with costumed characters roving its historic streets, and tours, talks, theatre, music and foodie events delving into all aspects of Georgian life. Armagh is Ireland’s ecclesiastical capital and its...

Three days of festivities and an electrifying line-up of live entertainment promise an unforgettable New Year experience.   Ireland’s biggest New Year celebration, NYF Dublin, runs from 30 December 2025 – 1 January 2026 and features a packed programme of spectacle, music, and events to suit all ages. For three days the city becomes a stage for fabulous entertainers, and the skies...

  Elevate your autumn on the island of Ireland with a selection of festivals that celebrate community, tradition and heritage. From harvest fairs to feasts of local bounty, this is a season to savour There’s something particularly special about autumn in Ireland, and much of it comes down to its links to harvest time. For starters, there’s the food, from orchards...

  1. Halloween began over 2,000 years ago in Ireland  It may be celebrated all over the world, but Ireland is the true home of Halloween. Over 2,000 years ago the ancient Celts gathered each autumn for the festival of Samhain (pronounced Sow-in), one of the four great Celtic fire festivals, to mark the end of the harvest season. It was believed to...

    Ireland’s tales of the undead and Dublin’s Gothic architecture inspired the creation of the world’s most famous vampire.   There is one place in the world where Halloween isn’t just celebrated, it’s part of the heritage. Welcome to Ireland, the true home of Halloween, where ancient Celtic traditions and gothic legends collide in a celebration unlike anywhere else on Earth. Long before...

Myths, mischief and mighty celebrations all converge for one of the biggest festivals of the year in Ireland. But do you know where it all started?   When you think about Halloween, you probably think of carved pumpkins, ghoulish costumes and blazing bonfires, with mysterious scenes unfolding in the dimming light. But did you know that many of those traditions actually...

  Experience Halloween in Ireland, where it all began and where extended culturally rich festivals offer an immersive Celtic adventure.   Ireland is the Home of Halloween, so it’s no surprise that the island goes all out to celebrate the festival and its ancient Celtic roots. Across the country, 31 October is marked with all manner of spooky festivities but in seven...

  One of Europe’s most celebrated music events, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, has launched its 2025 programme, which takes place this October Bank Holiday weekend (23–27 October). Now in its 47th year, the festival will feature a world-class line-up that spans jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, and electronic innovation, with global icons and cutting-edge new talent. Headliners already announced include Cymande, JP Cooper, Orchestra Baobab,...