Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival

Dublin City, Co. Dublin

May 4-17, 2009

Dublin's gay theatre festival provides an opportunity to showcase the contribution of gay people to theater, both past and present. The festival returns for its sixth year in what promises to be its most ambitious program ever - with 35 productions from around the world featuring acclaimed drama, comedy, musical theatre and more.

Note: Final dates may be subject to change

Web site: www.gaytheatre.ie

Bloomsday

Dublin City, Co. Dublin

June 16, 2009

Bloomsday marks the day in 1904 on which all the action of James Joyce’s novel “Ulysses” takes place. It is celebrated every year on June 16 by Joyceans all over the world. In Dublin,

where the novel is set, Bloomsday celebrations go on for a week, with most of the attention on the day itself. Fans of Joyce’s gargantuan novel dress up in traditional gear and scoff old Dublin food like “nutty gizzards” and “urine-soaked kidneys”. It is traditional to dress up and go out for the day, visiting the locations of the book and taking part in readings, walks, reenactments and convivial activities of all sorts. As an occasion rather than a festival, Bloomsday has no official program or organizing committee. Events are arranged by a number of different bodies and occur at venues in and around the city.

Web site: www.jamesjoyce.ie

The AIB Street Performance World Championship

Dublin City, Co. Dublin

June 18-21, 2009

Dublin City Center usually has some really good street performers, most famously on the main shopping street, Grafton Street. But the street performance world championships, which take place in June in Merrion Square, are a different type of spectacle.

Galway Film Fleadh

Galway City, Co. Galway

July 7-12, 2009

The Galway Film Fleadh takes place over six days in July, and is based in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway Omniplex and Eyre Square, Galway. The Fleadh will present a programme of over 70 Irish and international features, coupled with a diverse range of events including masterclasses, seminars, Outreach events, debates, public interviews, and the Galway Film Fair - a specialist market providing an unique interface for filmmakers and financiers. In November a satellite event, the Junior Film Fleadh, caters specifically for young people.

Web site: www.galwayfilmfleadh.com

Galway Arts Festival

Galway City, Co. Galway

July 13-26, 2009

Galway can lay genuine claim to being Ireland’s cultural capital (although some Dubliners may disagree) – so a trip to this western city no matter what time of the year will always be an enriching experience. But these two weeks in July are especially exciting: part of Galway’s appeal is that its city centre is small enough where pretty much everything is within walking distance. Life moves at a slower pace than Dublin, and Galway manages to retain the feeling of how an Irish city, in part, might have looked 30 or 40 years ago. The line-up for 2009 has yet to be announced, but expect plenty of theater, dance, and music.

Web site: www.galwayartsfestival.com

Feile an Phobail

West Belfast

August 1-9, 2009

During this grand event (translated in English to “The Community’s Festival”), concerts, debates, tours, exhibitions, drama and street theater take over various venues in West Belfast. World-class and international acts play alongside the best of Irish talent, and the colorful carnival parade attracts thousands of participants yearly.

Web site: www.feilebelfast.com

Dublin Fringe Festival

Dublin City, Co. Dublin

September 5-20, 2009

Savor unexpected, magic moments during one of the world’s largest fringe, or alternative theater, festivals. A giant man-filled test tube, pimped -up secret Dublin gardens, contortionists, acrobats and a J.C.B digger ballet are among those ripping up and rebuilding Dublin City this September as part of the annual Dublin Fringe Festival.

Web site: www.fringefest.com