Irish people love parties and festivals. Festivals in Ireland are great fun; some of the merriest in the world. The Irish people hold festivals for the art, culture, music, history or sport. You name it, they have it. An Irish festivity is a truly unique event one has to experience. Below are some of the main Irish festivals held throughout the country.
Saint Patrick’s Festival is the biggest annual event in Ireland. It is held in conjunction with Ireland’s national holiday. Although celebrated in various parts of the world, nothing beats joining the revelry of Saint Patrick’s Week in Ireland itself. Usually held in mid-march for five days, the festival program boasts of music, carnivals, street arts, dance, treasure hunt, visual art displays and a list of performers. The festival culminates with a spectacular and eagerly anticipated Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
Listowel’s Writers Week is a festival honoring writers. It is held for five days from end of May through beginning of June. The event aims to guide aspiring writers and provide a venue for their artistic prowess. Event activities include competitions, workshops, readings, publications of authors’ works. Listowel’s Writers Week makes the numerous writers’ works available to the reading public.
The Smithwick’s Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in County Kilkenny is one of the best comedy festivals in the world. It attracts a bevy of local and international stand-up comedians. For five days beginning on June 1st, the public is treated to fun and laughter courtesy of live performances from talented comedians.
For nine days starting June 1st, the town of Clonmel in County Tipperary comes alive. Hand-painted banners and flags festoon the town center in celebration of the Clonmel Junction Festival. Entertainment in the form of daily street theater and free live music jam sessions from famous Irish and international groups await the audience.
Galway has long been touted as Ireland’s center of cultural excellence with the Galway Arts Festival as its crowning glory. Galway Arts Festival is Ireland’s most prestigious arts festival. It is a two week celebration of the performing and visual arts that commences mid-July. The festival features artists, musicians and performers from all over the world together with homegrown talents.
Puck Fair is one of Ireland’s extraordinary street festivals. The town of Killorglin in County Kerry plays host to this fair, one of the oldest and longest celebrated in Ireland. It is held on August 10, 11 and 12 of each year spanning twelve hours of non-stop free entertainment galore for everyone.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the globe converge in Tralee, County Kerry to partake of the fun and excitement of the Rose of Tralee Festival, an event marked by parades, music, fireworks displays and the much-awaited Rose Competition wherein young women of Irish ancestry vie for the coveted “Rose of Tralee” title. This event is usually held mid-August of each year.
The Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin is Ireland’s premier intercultural arts festival. The event showcases cultural diversity through music, circus, dance, film, exhibitions, workshops and children’s fun activities. A carnival-like atmosphere pervades during this family-friendly festival held over the last weekend of August.
The Galway Oyster Festival is a unique event teeming with fun and camaraderie shared over sumptuous seafood accompanied by world-class entertainment in the charming quaint city of Galway. Pleasant surprises await visitors at the Galway Oyster Festival held from four days during the end of September.
The Dublin Theater Festival held for two weeks from September till October shows the best of Irish and international theater work. The event also promotes Irish theater through world tours, collaborative work with leading artist and companies and hosting renowned artists from around the world.
The Guiness Cork Jazz Festival is another anticipated event on Ireland’s arts and cultural calendar. Every last weekend of October, musicians from around the globe gather in Cork to entertain fans in different venues citywide.
The County of Wexford has been showcasing wonderful productions of rare opera as part of the Wexford Opera Festival for the past fifty years. The jovial festival springs to life amidst ancient Viking streets and the legendary Theater Royal. For two weeks from October to November, opera fanatics as well as non-opera fans are regaled by daytime and evening performances.
Each year the City of Belfast in Northern Ireland plays host to the best of international art through the Belfast Festival at Queens. The event also showcases the city’s talented artists. The festival includes theater, dance, all forms of music, literature, comedy, visual arts attracting thousands of visitors over the course of seventeen days from mid-October till early November.
So, come join any of these celebrations and experience the Irish community spirit.