As the evenings get shorter and the summer draws to a close, there are still plenty of top-class music festivals in Ireland for you to enjoy! Take a look at these best Irish music festivals in August 2019:
From traditional Irish music to chart-topping favorites like Hozier and the Foo Fighters, mixed with a matchmaking Cupid in Lisdoonvarna, IrishCentral is your guide to Ireland's best Irish music festivals this August 2019.
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Launch of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2019, at Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda. Pictured are musicians (LtoR) Jim Lockhart from Horslips, Sibéal Ní Chasaide, Sárán Mulligan, Zoë Conway, Nathan Carter and Barry Devlin from Horslips. Image: RollingNews.ie
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
When: August 11 - 18
Where: Drogheda, Co Louth
"The Fleadh" or "Festival of Irish Music" is Ireland’s biggest traditional Irish music festival and this year Drogheda will boast some of Ireland’s most talented musicians, singers, and dancers, including Nathan Carter, Martin Hayes, Damien Dempsey, Horslips and Stockton's Wing to name a few.
The banks of the Boyne will also play host to plenty of Irish cultural activities including courses, workshops, and céilidhs at the week-long event.
Read More: Countdown begins for Drogheda’s Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann 2019
First held in 1951, the purpose of the Fleadh was to restore the traditional music of Ireland and to arrest its decadent trend, then evident in Irish life.
In recent years the numbers attending Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann have grown significantly with half a million people attending last year.
Visit www.fleadhcheoil.ie or follow the Fleadh on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for more.
Image: Facebook
Another Love Story
When: August 16 -18
Where: Killyon Manor, Co Meath
Winner of The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) small festival of the year award in 2017, the beautifully set Another Love Story returns for its fifth installment at the grounds of the charming 18th century Killyon Manor, Co Meath.
Christian Loffler, the Redneck Manifesto, Lubomyr Melnyk and Maria Somerville are among the first acts announced and Glasshouse Ensemble will perform.
But there will be plenty of art, conversation, food and frolics to go with it.
Artists and performers will be wowing audiences in The Front Room, The Library, The Cinema and the heart of Another Love Story: The Ballroom, as well as outdoor stages which sit amongst the leafy meadows, mysterious woodlands and the cozy corners of the manor.
Booking requests are by email only: anotherlovestory.als@gmail.com.
Check out their Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter feeds for the latest info.
Image: Facebook
Love Sensation
When: August 17 and 18
Where: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Co Dublin
A brand new shining beacon in the Irish festival scene, Love Sensation is a next-generation, two-day music and arts festival aimed at the LGBT+ community and their many friends.
Acts like Lily Allen, Clean Bandit, Gossip & Kelis top the bill with Honey Dijon Horse Meat Disco, JuJubee, Laganja Estranja, Jenny Greene, Le Galaxie, and SOULÉ.
Hosting the inaugural event will be none other than Ireland’s undisputed queen of drag, Panti Bliss.
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Expect tons of surprises from The George stage, a Mother Dance Tent you won’t want to leave and a host of RuPaul Drag Queens brought to you by Dublin drag legends Dragged Up including Monet X Change, Naomi Smalls, Jujubee, Laganja Estranja & Sonique!
Tickets are for sale on www.lovesensation.ie or see Facebook for more.
Image: Facebook
Belfast Vital Festival
When: August 19 and 24
Where: Boucher Road Playing Fields
First held near Botanic Gardens in 2002 Belfast Vital is Northern Irelands biggest music Festival which takes place in Boucher Road Playing Fields.
Headlined in the past by world-renowned DJs Tiesto and Martin Garrix, this year's two-days are anything but similar.
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Foo Fighters take the stage on August 19 and, leaning towards chart-friendly acts for teens, Timmy Trumpet, Jonas Blue, Fedde Le Grand and MaRLO perform on the 24th.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster with up to date info on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Image: Facebook
Electric Picnic
When: August 30 - September 1
Where: Stradbally Hall, Co Laois
Described as "Ireland's version of Glastonbury" and selling out in 15 minutes last December, the Picnic is Ireland's most in-demand music festival.
This year Electric Picnic will break its own attendance record with an extra 2,500 tickets bumping its capacity to 57,500.
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Hozier, the Strokes, The 1975, Dermot Kennedy and Florence and the Machine will headline along with US teen sensation Billie Eilish.
Hozier performing in New York. Image: Getty
Eilish has taken the US by storm and in fact, her full name is Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell and has Irish roots through her father, Patrick O' Connell.
Over 40 new names have been added to the Electric Picnic line-up including J Hus, Gerry Cinnamon, Charlie XCX and Johnny Marr.
Bonnie Tyler makes her return to Electric Ireland’s Throwback Stage, following her memorable performance in 2014. Joining Tyler will be fitness fanatic and the legend of lycra, Mr. Motivator.
The famous matchmaker Willie Daly with his book. Image: Facebook
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
When: August 30 - September 29
Where: Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare
Located in the Burren, Co Clare along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, Lisdoonvarna renowned for its popular singles festivals.
Every year 40,000 people descend on the town from as far away as Japan and China all in the hope of meeting that special someone.
It's done in the traditional sense with dating apps getting the silent treatment while Cupid Willie Daly, a third-generation matchmaker uses his tried-and-tested techniques and his family's tatty 100-year-old ledger to conjure up matches.
Read More: Where to meet the love of your life in Ireland
Legend has it if you touch his ‘lucky book’ with both hand’s, you’ll be married in six months!
For six weekends the streets ring out with music and song, buzzing with dance, the craic, and love for life. Bars and pubs headline some of the top names in country music including Hermitage Greene, the RipTide Movement, Mike Denver, Cliona Hagan and more.
From the dance floor to a cozy table, the little town in the west of Ireland is full of the promise and passion of "meeting your match."
Visit www.matchmakerireland.com for information on accommodation or Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for more.
Playing Fields Music Festival
Image: Facebook
When: August 24 and 25
Where: Clane, County Kildare
Clane GAA will play host to a new two-day weekend music festival with some of Ireland’s greatest musicians performing.
On Saturday, The Stunning, The Frank and Walters, Montauk Hotel, Oski Bravo,
Alice Lynskey, Topso, Valhalla and Padraig Cahill take center stage.
Image: Getty
On Sunday, The 4 of Us, Declan O'Rourke, The 2 Johnnies, Dublin Gospel Choir, Empire Circus, Saarloos, Winter Heart and The Roadworn Frets close out the event.
Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite and further updates and announcements will be made on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Image: Getty
This August, we're celebrating Gaeilge (the Irish language) and Irish music with a series highlighting those around the world speaking and learning Irish, and playing Irish music.
Visit our dedicated music section here or our Irish language section here to read more.
You can follow throughout the month by using the hashtags #ICMusic, #ICGaeilge or by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.
Do you have an idea for a story on Irish music or the Irish language? Why not join IrishCentral's contributor's platform Irish Voices? You can learn more about it here and sign up here.
Will you be attending any of these music festivals? Let us know in the comments section below.
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