Festivals

Dance through summer in Northern Ireland where you’ll find a superb line-up of festivals featuring top international acts.   Whether you are a fan of jazz or folk, or you prefer to rock out, music lovers of all kinds can look forward to a fantastic line-up of festivals and events taking place this year in Northern Ireland. Here’s the pick...

Mountain biking through the gorgeous scenery of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is the perfect way to spend a spring weekend. Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Festival (26–27 April) is Ireland’s premier endurance mountain bike event but it’s not just for biking experts. The relaxed, community-focused atmosphere of the festival ensures that riders of all abilities feel welcome and can experience the thrill...

To celebrate its twentieth anniversary, Google Maps has revealed the platform’s most reviewed tourist destinations in Ireland. From spectacular natural attractions to historic sites and heritage gems, Ireland has much to offer the traveller. Here are the top 10 visitor attractions that people seek out on Google Maps. Cliffs of Moher, County Clare Topping the list with 32,854 reviews are the...

Head to the Wild Atlantic Way for an electric festival that celebrates Ireland’s guitar hero Rory Gallagher. The small town of Ballyshannon in County Donegal will be rocking to the sound of guitar riffs when the Rory Gallagher International Festival strikes up in May (29 to 1 June). The birthplace of the legendary blues and rock guitarist celebrates its...

Step into a world of wellness and adventure at the Wander Wild Festival in stunningly beautiful Killarney National Park. Taking place from 4 to 6 April 2025, the Wander Wild Festival invites adrenaline junkies, outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers to hike, bike, run, ride, swim or simply be still and breathe in Killarney’s majestic mountain and lake landscape. The weekend is...

The famous walls of Derry~Londonderry will resound with music when the City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival returns in May. Taking place from 1 to 5 May 2025, the must-attend event for jazz lovers will feature headliners Billy Ocean, and Una Healy in session with Luke Thomas. Soul sensation Billy Ocean will perform his biggest hits in the...

April Fool’s Day is the traditional time to joke around but in Ireland you can get a laugh anytime at one of its many comedy clubs and festivals. The island of Ireland is famous for its craic – the banter and fun that is a part of everyday life. And with an innate talent for storytelling, the Irish are natural...

Dublin stages a great St Patrick’s Day but, to avoid the crowds, why not head to one of the other fabulous festivals across Ireland. Every city and town in Ireland will mark St Patrick’s Day so there is plenty of choice when it comes to deciding where and how you want to celebrate Ireland’s national holiday. Cork St Patrick’s Festival (14–17...

Book lovers and travellers seeking a unique cultural experience will find plenty of literary festivals to enjoy on the island of Ireland. As World Book Day again puts the focus on the joy of reading, lovers of literature should consider planning a visit to Ireland, which has a rich literary history stretching back to its seventh-century illuminated manuscripts. Irish writers...

With parades in spades, music galore, tours, talks, trails and more, Northern Ireland celebrates St Patrick in style. Across Northern Ireland there will be plenty of lively St Patrick’s Day celebrations with parades and festival fun in the main towns and cities. But when it comes to celebrating Ireland’s patron saint and Irish culture, Belfast goes big. Starting on 1 March,...