Festivals

One of the best-loved winter festivals on the island of Ireland, Out to Lunch presents 23 days of top-class comedy, theatre and music. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, Out to Lunch is a vibrant arts festival in Belfast that features both local and internationally renowned artists. Part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Out to Lunch takes place in...

To mark the 125th anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s death, a new festival, In Our Dreams, will take place next October in County Fermanagh. A Wilde weekend of fairytale, fantasy and frivolity for serious people is promised at the In Our Dreams festival (16–20 October 2025) based in the island town of Enniskillen, in the beautiful County Fermanagh lakelands. The town has...

Why not combine your Christmas shopping with a short break in Ireland where you’ll find unique gifts of the highest quality. Donegal Tweed Authentic Donegal tweed is a premium gift and on a visit to County Donegal you’ll be able to visit working mills to see the artistry of the weavers at work. There are many opportunities go behind the...

Delve into the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the stimulating and entertaining NI Science Festival. With over 150 events across more than 90 venues, the NI Science Festival (12–23 February 2025) presents world-class speakers and a diverse programme of events, and in just 10 years has become one of Europe’s leading science festivals. By day, the festival offers...

Enjoy the spectacle and pageantry of Georgian Armagh at the historic city’s award-winning festival. The annual Georgian Festival (28 November 28 to 1 December) recreates the flavour of late eighteenth-century Armagh with tours, talks, theatre, music, light shows, markets and costumed characters animating its historic buildings and streets. History buffs will enjoy the guided Georgian walking tours, which give an...

Presenting 82 events over 10 days, the Sound of Belfast festival celebrates Northern Ireland’s capital as a UNESCO City of Music. Belfast’s thriving and diverse musical landscape and rich musical heritage garnered it the prestigious title of City of Music in 2021. With a vibrant music scene that spans all genres, Belfast’s beat can be felt in the streets, pubs,...

Ennis Trad Fest is a joyous celebration of Irish traditional music in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. With a long and rich musical heritage, the picturesque County Clare town of Ennis on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way has been called the traditional music capital of Ireland. Year round its pubs and streets are filled with music but for five days every year...

Ireland’s most exciting and ambitious film festival returns to Cork this November showcasing the best films from around the world. Now in its 69th year, Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) (7–17 November) is Ireland’s oldest and largest film festival with a mission to create a shared cultural experience connecting audiences and artists. The festival presents a far-reaching programme of over 200...

Fire & Shadows processions in cities across Ireland will bring the spirit of Samhain to life this Halloween. Celebrating Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween, the Samhain night processions present spirits, mythical creatures, and ethereal beings in a captivating fusion of Celtic mythology and folklore. Waterford Ireland’s oldest city was founded by the Vikings over 1,100 years ago and is brimming with...

This November, Ireland’s Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) celebrates its 140th anniversary highlighting the importance of Gaelic games to the life of Irish people. The GAA is Ireland’s largest sporting organisation representing the unique national games of hurling and Gaelic football as well as handball and rounders. Camogie and ladies Gaelic football are governed by other associations but taken together these...