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E-mailThe best of Irish festivals
The Irish are known for their “craic,” or spirit of fun, so festivals are celebrated for all sorts of occasions around the country, year-round.
Festivals have long been part of Irish life: the Puck Fair in Killorglin, for example, originated in the 17th century, while others such as the Matchmaking Festival in Lisdoonvarna have been around for 150 years.
Obvious celebrations such as St. Patrick’s Day are feted to the nth degree, but lesser-known occasions like the Friends of Father Ted Fest are rising in popularity. Depending on the timing of your trip, you could find yourself snacking on seaweed at the Oul’ Lammas Fair, toasting the Rose of Tralee in Co. Kerry or taking part in the world's largest Irish session!
Here's a list of some of Ireland's best festivals throughout the year:
St. Patrick’s Festival
Dublin City, Co. Dublin
March 12-17, 2009
St. Patrick's Day used to be a rather somber affair in Ireland as the day was celebrated as strictly a religious holiday.
Today St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with an explosion of entertainment all over Ireland, with festivities kicking off in the Republic’s capital during the week leading up to the big day. The Dublin festival is Ireland’s official fete for this national holiday, with parties, parades and night spectacles to entertain the revelers.
And things aren’t too tame around the rest of the country, either! St. Pat's parades in Ireland are mirthful, energetic and all-inclusive (the gay and lesbian communities are welcomed with open arms in Ireland). In Galway, performers take to the city for a fabulous walking parade; Armagh and Down pay tribute to the patron saint with the largest celebration in Northern Ireland; Cork boasts a veritable fiesta of colors; while Belfast looks like a carnival on the big day. In fact, across almost every town and village in the country, this special day for the Irish is remembered in style.
Pan Celtic Festival
Donegal Town, Co. Donegal
April 14-19, 2009
The Pan Celtic Festival aims to instill, strengthen and exchange our Celtic cultures and traditions in music, song, dance, sports etc. in our own languages from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany and Isle of Man. Past events have included: street performances from each of the Celtic Nations, traditional singing competitions, the Pan Celtic International Song Contest, featuring Celtic Rock, Traditional and Pop music, golf competition, parades, choral concerts, harp, piping and fiddle competitions and camogie (a Celtic sport).
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