Festivals

  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,...

Get ready to raise a glass to amazing liquids as the inaugural Kerry Drinks Festival makes its debut on Saturday, 15th November 2025, at Killarney Racecourse. The festival was officially launched this week with key sponsors Dingle Distillery and Carry Out Killarney. The festival will bring together over 65 distilleries, breweries and producers and a host of enthusiasts for a day...

The Nightmare Realm Will Unleash ‘The Curse of the Five’ this Halloween 21 Nights. Five Cursed Souls. One Unforgettable Nightmare. New venue, new theme.   Early bird tickets now on sale As summer ends and darker evenings creep in, shadows and demons begin to stir—Halloween is coming, and with it, The Nightmare Realm, Europe’s most awarded Halloween attraction.  Returning for 2025, this year’s...

  Opera lovers will delight at this “most friendly of festivals” which shines a light on rare masterpieces.   The pretty harbour town of Wexford in Ireland’s Ancient East becomes a magnet for opera fans in the autumn when it stages Wexford Festival Opera (17 October – 1 November), a critically acclaimed celebration of rare operatic gems and emerging talent. Now in its...

  Killarney will raise a glass to amazing liquids as the inaugural Kerry Drinks Festival makes its debut on Saturday, 15th November 2025, at Killarney Racecourse. A celebration of flavour and craftsmanship, the festival promises a one-of-a-kind tasting experience, showcasing the rich diversity of the country's drinks industry—from whiskeys and gins to craft beers, ciders, vodkas, liqueurs, and much more. Proudly sponsored...

Cork’s thriving food scene will step into the spotlight next week as Cork on a Fork Fest returns for its fourth year from Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th August. Organised by Cork City Council, this five-day celebration of food, flavour, and community spirit will serve up a packed programme of nearly 100 events across the city — from pop-up...