The Republic of Ireland is renowned for four-leafed clovers, shillelagh-wielding leprechauns, warm welcomes and frothy glasses of dark black Guinness. It’s a beautiful country with hills, fields and pastures aplenty – and all year round, the country hosts a number of interesting and entertaining festivals for those who fancy a proper taste of authentic Irish fun!
One of the most iconic festivals in the country is Dublin’s St Patrick’s Festival, the Irish national holiday. The day commemorates the death of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and is jam-packed with parades, music, culture, arts, family fun, traditional food and plenty of authentic Irish history and heritage. The festival offers almost 3,000 performers and more than half a million eager attendees. It’s a truly fun event with warm smiles and a jolly atmosphere. Throughout Ireland, there are many other similar events, though smaller in scale… so if you can’t make it to Dublin, you’ll be able to get your fix elsewhere!
The musical heritage of Ireland is massive, with a huge influence on folk and many other genres. The country hosts a vast amount of large-scale musical mayhem, including Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival alongside many more intimate and charming events. The country also hosts music festivals with big-name headliners from pop, rock and alternative music, with events including Electric Picnic and Body & Soul. Previous headliners at these events have included names like LCD Soundsystem, New Order and Lana Del Rey.
Other cultural festivals in Ireland include Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, a rib-tickling chortle-fest of gags and jabs which offers five days of various big names and rising stars in the world of comedy. Dublin Writers’ Week exhibits the best of the written word, with readings, debates, discussions, masterclasses, workshops, exhibitions and performances. The event celebrates the iconic heritage of Irish wordsmiths… and a place which has borne the likes of Oscar Wilde and James Joyce is sure to keep churning out top-notch penmen and women!
Many events celebrate food and drink, the most famous of which is Galway Oyster Festival, the longest-running oyster festival on the planet. Galway creates some of the world’s best, saltiest and tastiest oysters, and the event offers a chockful of shucking along with entertainment and attractions. Other food festivals in Ireland include Irish Craft Beer Festival and A Taste of Donegal.