Festivals

The Masters of Tradition festival is a lens through which travellers can see into the musical soul of Ireland. Curated by world-famous fiddler Martin Hayes, Masters of Tradition (20–24 August) is a unique festival experience that combines music, history, storytelling and place. At its heart is authenticity and connection through a celebration of the masters of traditional Irish music who...

Autumn is the ideal time to explore the island of Ireland’s fabulous landscape and enjoy the rejuvenating power of nature. Autumn on the island of Ireland offers the perfect combination of bright, crisp days and cosy evenings. As the leaves turn to red and gold, the landscape takes on a vibrant hue that is a gift to photographers and artists...

There are lots of ways to enjoy St Patrick’s Day, from parades, parties and pints of Guinness to pilgrimage walks and hearty traditional Irish food. Ireland’s biggest festival is on the horizon and across the island towns and cities are gearing up for the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations (17 March). Fabulous festivals will take place in cities from Armagh in the north...

Joyce’s Dublin recalled in Bloomsday Festival   Ireland’s annual celebration of James Joyce’s seminal work, Ulysses, returns to Dublin in June with the five-day Bloomsday festival. Art, music, theatre, lectures, readings, walking tours and food events make up the packed programme that invites Joyce fans to see his famous novel Ulysses through a multitude of lenses. Bloomsday (11–16 June) recalls 16 June 1904,...

  The ABAIR programme is back for 2024!   ABAIR is St. Patrick’s Festival’s flagship traditional arts strand, sponsored by the Arts Council Traditional Arts fund, which explores the Irish traditions of storytelling, song, and oral history and traces their links around the world. Curated by traditional singer Macdara Yeates, and now in its 6th year, the multi-format programme offers a wide array...

Celebrate a summer of LGBTQ+ love on the island of Ireland   Pride events across the island of Ireland this summer will see hundreds of thousands of people celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Ireland is an LGBTQ+ friendly place and in June, July and August, cities across the island will stage colourful and joyous Pride parades and festivals to celebrate and show...

Gear up for a new year with the hottest trends shaping travel right now What’s on travellers’ radar for 2025? Where are the go-to spots you don’t want to miss? As holidaymakers look to escape the frenetic routine of their daily lives and immerse themselves in nature, we’ve got the top travel tips for where to go in Ireland. Sun,...

  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...

Set sail to the Foyle Maritime Festival for seafaring fun   Derry~Londonderry’s waterfront will be overflowing with maritime-themed events and activities when the Foyle Maritime Festival returns.    A four-day programme of events, from Tall Ships, on-water activities, circus and maritime market to music, animation and comedy will run from 27–30 June in the walled city. The theme of this year’s Foyle Maritime...

Feast on award-winning food on the island of Ireland The island of Ireland has made a name for itself as a world-class foodie destination and there are lots of great ways to discover its culinary charms. With award-winning restaurants and gastro-pubs, fabulous food markets and tours, and artisan producers around every corner, the island of Ireland should be on every epicure’s...