In Ireland, the summer season is enlivened by a vibrant festival culture that spans music, theatre, comedy, literature and much more. Around the Irish landscape, 63 events cater to young and old spectators each year. Dublin Dance Festival, Cellissimo, and International Literature Festival Dublin are all on the verge of wrapping up for this season. Also underway is Bealtaine, a week-long national gathering celebrating arts and creativity.
On the horizon is the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, running from May 27th to June 3rd, offering opera and classical concerts within the rich historical settings of Lismore, Youghal, Dungarvan, and Castlemartyr. Four performances of Handel’s Giulio Cesare are particularly noteworthy, taking place within the confines of Lismore Castle and featuring the acoustical delights of the Irish Baroque Orchestra and the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Chorus.
This May will also see the commencement of Listowel Writers’ Week from 29th May until 2nd June, a literary celebration marked by book launches, discussions, readings, musical performances as well as child-friendly events. Kilkenny Cat Laughs will follow promptly, from May 31st to June 3rd, dishing out a healthy dose of humour through an array of both internationally-recognised and home-grown comics.
In June, the Marquee will be alive until 25th with performances from the likes of Tom Odell, Mick Flannery, Lyra, and many others. Sea Bangor, on June 1st and 2nd, promises a day packed with beach activities, food and drink stalls, hot-food trucks, music and an outdoor bar while rowing teams battle for the championship cup. Lastly, on the same dates, is the intimate concert series “When Next We Meet” in Clonmel and the Forbidden Fruit festival.
Nelly Furtado, Bicep and Four Tet are set to grace the stage during a two-day festival of music and arts at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin. This information can be obtained from the forbiddenfruit.ie website. Also on the 8th of June, University College Dublin’s Belfield campus will host over 130 complimentary activities. BBC broadcaster, Rick O’Shea, will engage in an insightful conversation with renowned author, Kit de Waal. The university ensures a variety of zones dedicated to a range of disciplines including technology, science, engineering, biotech, culture, and exploration. Attendees with neurodiverse needs are also provided with sensory-friendly spaces.
From the 4th to 9th June, you will remember a cross-cultural experience with a series of global premieres and music from South Africa at the Dublin International Chamber Music Festival. This will be coupled with a piano project alongside five Irish pianists and 10 pioneering women. Details at dicmf.com. Concurrently, the Galway Folk Festival will be staging over 50 performances across Galway city to celebrate folk, roots and traditional music. Key talents like Beth Orton, Declan O’Rourke, Eleanor Shanley & Mike Hanrahan, and others will entertain the crowd.
In the same period, Carlow is going to host a festival that will offer an eclectic mix of music, theatre, cinema, dance, literature and visual arts. The opening night will see an outdoor interactive performance by Spanish artist Joan Català, located at Carlow College. These details can be found at carlowartsfestival.ie website. In addition, the Borris House will be a hotspot for a weekend gathering that will be featuring historians, musicians, journalists, environmentalists, activists and writers at the Festival of Writing & Ideas.
The Meadows festival will be held on the 8th June at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, with Lankum headlining and co-curating it. This will be their sole Dublin show in 2024. Other performers include John Francis Flynn, This Is the Kit, Black Country, New Road and Mogwai. Further information can be found on pod.ie. The “Cork Carnival of Science” on the 8th and 9th of June promises a thrilling engagement as it offers interactive activities, live science shows, games, street food and live performances. Finally, the elusive Otherside Festival will be taking place on June 8th and 22nd.
This summer, Otherside is hosting two gatherings at Rock Farm in Slane, Co Meath. The first event, The One in the Woods, is scheduled for the 8th of June, with Fjaak, Yasmin Gardezi and Franck on the lineup. Later, on the 22nd of June, Soundmate31 showcases the talents of Kolter, LP Rhythm, Emma B, and Matthias. Visit othersidefestival.ie for more.
The Bloomsday Festival from 11th to 16th June is a tribute to James Joyce and his iconic novel, Ulysses. Organised by the James Joyce Centre, the event is scattered throughout Dublin city, featuring art shows, walking tours, a musical ode to Ulysses, and a teatime discussion set in Joyce’s era on Henrietta Street. Explore more at bloomsdayfestival.ie.
Between the 12th-23rd of June, the Cork Midsummer Festival, is a melting pot of theatre, artwork, dance and film by both Irish and global artists. For details, visit corkmidsummer.com.
Dalkey Book Festival, due to take place from 13th to 16th June, welcomes a host of eminent authors and thinkers joining this year, for instance, Paul Lynch, Colm Tóibín, Claire Keegan and many others. Be a part of it by visiting dalkeybookfestival.org.
The Waterford International Organ Festival, set for June 13th-16th, offers a musical homage to prominent Hamburgian and Parisian composers, like Gabriel Fauré, Théodore Dubois, and Matthias Weckmann. More can be found at visitwaterford.com.
The Yes Festival draws inspiration from Molly Bloom of the Ulysses novel and is an international arts festival exclusively featuring women. It’s a myriad of events in drama, dance, art, film, textiles and music, centred in Derry and northern Co Donegal, taking place from the 13th to the 16th of June. Learn more at yesderry.com.
The musical event Lovely Music is happening from the 14th to the 15th of June, and is one to look out for.
The Louth Contemporary Music Society is gearing up to celebrate its 10th annual festival in Dundalk, with highlights including Robert Ashley: Crash as the festival opener. The Varispeed Collective on the other hand will be performing alongside Seán Carpio, Caoimhe Hopkinson and Steve Welsh at The Bar. Details on louthcms.org.
On the other hand, June 15 marks the nationwide Cruinniú na nÓg, hosting various activities such as circus workshops, rap shows and youth-theatre sampler workshops. Visit cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie for more details.
The Pipeworks International Organ and Choral Festival will take place from June 19th to 23rd as a special recognition of the centenary of the demise of famous Irish composer Charles Villiers Stanford. The RTÉ Concert Orchestra will present a repertoire inclusive of Stanford’s remarkable Stabat Mater and Percy Whitlock’s Symphony in G minor’s first-time presentation in Ireland, with organ and orchestra by Daniel Moult. More on pipeworks.ie.
From June 21st to 23rd, the Beyond the Pale music and arts festival at Glendalough Estate in Co Wicklow will feature performances from artists including Jungle, Jessie Ware, Soulwax, Richie Hawtin, and Thievery Corporation; details on itsbeyondthepale.ie. The same dates will see Galway’s Ukulele Festival with concerts, workshops, street performances and flash mobs, amongst other activities; visit galwayukefest.com for information.
The Sea Sessions from June 21st to 23rd will be held in Bundoran, with headlining performances from blk., Cian Ducrot and Johnny Marr, bolstered by acts including Jazzy, Jake Bugg, Lea Heart, Bricknasty, Kelly-Anne Byrne and Jen Payne. Additional details available on seasessions.com.
Tunefest, a traditional music festival in the port town of Dungarvan, Co Waterford, from June 21st to 23rd will unite artists from Ireland and abroad. The line-up includes Grammy-nominated Cherish the Ladies, Talisk and Danú, all set to a backdrop of pub session trails, street busking, CD debuts, recitals and open-air workshops; see tunefest.ie.
Lastly, between June 21st to July 7th, Malahide Castle in north Co Dublin will host summer concerts with top acts including Take That, LCD Soundsystem, Shania Twain, SZA, Nicki Minaj and Arcade Fire; all details on mcd.ie. The Hinterland festival will conclude the month from June 27th to 30th.
Experience literature, politics, lifestyle, sports, and children’s literature at Kells, County Meath with a special focus on Anne Enright who will be presenting her latest novel, The Wren, the Wren. Engage in an exciting Where’s Wally treasure hunt and meet the seasoned BBC journalist Peter Taylor. Visit hinterland.ie for more.
From June 28th – 30th, join us for performance, art, and interaction at Lough Key Forest Park, County Roscommon. Enjoy performances by Bell X1, Damien Dempsey, The Undertones, Mick Flannery, Ash, Gemma Hayes, The 4 of Us, The Frank & Walters, Nialler9, and more. The festival also offers a family zone with dance workshops, baby boppers, foraging, pottery painting, and face painting. More details are available at nightandday.ie.
On the same dates, don’t miss out on Kaleidoscope where The Kooks, Lyra, The Waterboys, Block Rockin’ Beats and King Kong Company take the stage. To know more, visit kaleidoscopefestival.ie.
Join us at the Donegal Town Summer Festival also from June 28th – 30th. Watch captivating performances by Gavin James, Block Rockin Beats, Derek Ryan, Lavengro, Seán Magee, All Folk’d Up, The Logues, Darren Boot, The Seeger Session Revival, Onóir, and Encór Tír Chonaill. For more information, visit govisitdonegal.com.
Visit Bantry from June 28th – July 7th for the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, one of Europe’s leading chamber-music festivals. Details available at westcorkmusic.ie.
Experience the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival from June 28th – July 7th. Dive into photography, theatre, music, dance, and architecture and consider the future of the arts in Clonmel. Featuring a celebratory Fidelio Trio concert of Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin’s work and a debut of Iseli-Chiodi Dance Company’s Turnstile, commissioned by the Tipperary Museum of Hidden History for the Bloody Sunday centenary. Visit junctionfestival.com for more details.
Join at Longitude from June 29th – 30th in Marlay Park, Dublin. Watch performances by Central Cee, Doja Cat, Becky Hill, 21 Savage, Belters Only, blk., Joel Corry, Jazzy, Sonny Fodera, and D-Block Europe among others. Visit longitude.ie for details.
Enjoy gigs at Iveagh Gardens in July.
Van Morrison, the Sugababes, Glen Hansard, and other acclaimed artists are taking the stage in Dublin from July 4th to 21st, as part of a series hosted by aikenpromotions.com.
From the 6th to the 7th of July, the Irish Youth Dance Festival will host a collaboration with the Irish National Youth Ballet, welcoming young dancers up to the age of 25.
Simultaneously, the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival will kick off on July 6th, featuring literary events, street theatre, and live music performances until the 13th. Musician Boubacar Traoré and authors Adania Shibli and Louise Kennedy are among the scheduled guests.
In County Clare, the Willie Clancy Summer School will offer traditional music, song and dance from July 6th to 14th. The programme includes instrument and dance classes, lectures, workshops and céilithe.
The Galway Film Fleadh will run from July 9th to 14th, and welcomes film enthusiasts and filmmakers from around the globe. For younger audiences, there will be Junior Film Fleadh screenings with Kneecap opening the festival.
Featuring Example, Bell X1, Alabama 3, and others, Sult Féile offers a musical feast in the heart of Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht, Co Donegal from July 12th to 13th.
The West Cork Literary Festival, from July 12th to 19th, promises a literary bonanza with workshops, readings, and child-oriented events, among others. Guest speakers include renowned authors Anne Enright, Colm Tóibín, and Caleb Azumah Nelson.
From July 13th to 28th, the Earagail Arts Festival showcases multiple artistic disciplines in Co Donegal. Theatre, visual arts, film, literature, circus acts, and more will be on display, including performances by Muireann Bradley and a pop-up Gaeltacht.
Lastly, the Volvo Cork Week will commence on July 15th and continue till the 19th.
Over 200 vessels along with an estimated 10,000 seamen and observers will amass at the port town of Crosshaven for the bi-yearly boat race and festival celebrating maritime customs. The attendees come from various parts of the world to celebrate their shared love for the ocean and everything related to it. Information on this can be found on corkweek.ie.
Between July 15th and 28th, the Galway International Arts Festival will be held. This is a celebration of both Irish and international theatre, opera, visual arts, and even a circus. The event will also feature a host of performances under the Heineken Big Top including Passenger, The Saw Doctors, Kneecap, and others. Notable theatre performances to look forward will be Reunion by Mark O’Rowe, Unspeakable Conversations by Christian O’Reilly and As We Face the Sun by Kit Withington, to name a few. More details can be found on giaf.ie.
From July 19th to 21st, the Forest Fest festival will be held in Co Laois offering a variety of performances from bands such as The Cult, The Human League and others. Besides music, the festival will also offer family-friendly entertainment, street food, craft beer, a cocktail bar and a funfair. Visit forestfest.ie for further details.
Belfast TradFest, a festival focused on traditional music, will take place between July 21st and 28th. There will be concerts, pub sessions, céilithe, workshops, talks and lectures in addition to a trad summer school. For more information visit belfasttradfest.com.
The Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival will be held from July 27th to August 5th. Being community-focused and family-friendly, this festival will offer various cultural, sporting, and artistic events. A highlight of the event is the Mary from Dungloe competition which has young women from Irish diaspora communities from around the globe taking part in representing their localities. The festival will also feature performances from Daniel O’Donnell, Onóir, and Humble Earthworms. More details about this event can be found by visiting maryfromdungloe.ie.
During the first to fourth days of August, the All Together Now festival will be held. Information about this event will be made available in due course.
There are a plethora of events unfolding at Curraghmore Estate in Co Waterford, featuring performances from The Prodigy, The National, Jorja Smith, Róisín Murphy, Future Islands, James Vincent McMorrow, The Mary Wallopers, Natasha Bedingfield and Kingfishr. Moreover, Tommy Tiernan and Panty Bliss will join the roster at Bandstand Brunch. You can get more details at alltogethernow.ie.
From the 2nd to 4th August, The Healing Spirit Festival will enliven Cavan’s lakelands with music, art, food and holistic attractions in a festival free from drugs and alcohol. Further details can be obtained from drummanyspirit.com.
The Spraoi International Street Arts Festival is also slated from the 2nd to 4th August, whereby a sundry of artists and musicians from across the globe will perform aiming at entertaining a crowd expected to surpass 20,000. The setting is Waterford city’s medieval streets. Visit spraoi.com for more.
The Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, from 2nd to 10th August, will encompass visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop-up performers, community events, exhibitions and workshops, among other attractions. You can find more at birrvintageweek.com.
The Kilkenny Arts Festival, scheduled from the 8th to 18th August, will mark the Irish first showing of Jóhann Jóhannsson’s Drone Mass, the premiere of Errollyn Wallen’s orchestral piece, performed by the Irish Chamber Orchestra, coupled with a double bill European debut from the Irish National Opera. Check out kilkennyarts.ie for more.
The Waterford Walls festival, launching on the 9th to last till the 18th August, will host Ireland’s largest street-art relations, garnished with striking murals as well as workshops and guided tours. For more, check out wallsproject.ie.
The Cork on a Fork Fest, a five-day festival embracing remarkable culinary talent, will take place from the 14th to 18th August,
details at corkcity.ie.
Chamber Music on Valentia, from 15th to 18th August, will provide curated concerts, workshops and collaborations facilitated by pianist Mary Dullea, giving you the chance to work with international festival musicians. more at chambermusiconvalentia.com.
Moreover, from 16th to 18th August, Electric Picnic, Ireland’s most celebrated music festival, will transform the locale of Stradbally Hall in Co Laois, with acts like headliners Noah Kahan, Calvin Harris and Kylie Minogue, and other contributions from Gerry Cinnamon, Kodaline, Raye, The Wolfe Tones and Kneecap. More details at electricpicnic.ie.
The event named “Masters of Tradition” also looks promising.
From the 21st to 25th of August, a variety of Irish traditional music artists can be seen performing throughout Bantry, a town situated in west Cork, under the coordination of Martin Hayes, a renowned fiddle player. The details can be found on westcorkmusic.ie.
In the same period, from the 22nd to 25th of August, the town of Co Waterford serves as a coastal setting for a festival celebrating bluegrass and country music, known as the Dunmore East Festival of Bluegrass. For more details visit discoverdunmore.com.
Another Love Story, occurring from the 23rd to 25th of August, brings together music, art, dialogue, cuisine, and other pursuits at the 18th-century Killyon Manor, located in Co Meath. This festival will feature various artists, such as Grandbrothers, Muireann Bradley, Mildlife, Leafar Legov and Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy, to name a few. Log on to anotherlovestory.ie for more information.
The Desmond O’Halloran Music Weekend will occur from the 30th of August into the beginning of September and will showcase traditional, roots, and folk music sessions performed by both younger and established musicians from Bofin, Connemara and Galway along with their notable associates. Visit inishbofin.com for more details.
The Dublin Fringe Festival will take place during September, from the 7th to the 22nd. The festival will host hundreds of performers across numerous shows, with several of them marking their premiere. For more details, check fringefest.com.