Summer has officially arrived, ushering in a season packed with festivals and events. Starting in July, we will see activities like performances in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens, the Galway Film Fleadh, and the West Cork Literary Festival, amongst many others. A host of other cultural and family events will be spread across the summer till September, offering no room for excuses to miss out!
JULY
Commencing in July, the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin will host a sequence of shows from the 4th to 21st. This line-up includes world-renowned artists such as Van Morrison, Sugababes, Glen Hansard, Dropkick Murphys, Christy Moore, Pillow Queens, Passenger, Phoenix, Damien Dempsey, and Paloma Faith. Check out aikenpromotions.com for more information.
Running concurrently, the Irish Youth Dance Festival on the 6th and 7th, will showcase a fusion production with the Irish National Youth Ballet. They’ll be gathering talented young dancers, all under 25 years of age. For more information, visit dublinyouthdance.com
Not to be missed is the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival from the 6th to the 13th. It promises an amalgamation of literature, theatre, and music. It includes a dialogue between Adania Shibli and Louise Kennedy, street performances by Joan Català, Chloe Loftus, and Rodney Bell, and tunes by Boubacar Traoré. More details can be found at cairdefestival.com
The Willie Clancy Summer School takes place from the 6th to the 14th and offers traditional music, song, and dance in Miltown Malbay, County Clare. You can join instrument and dance classes, lectures, workshops, and céilithe by checking out scoilsamhraidhwillieclancy.com
The renowned Galway Film Fleadh, from the 9th to the 14th, brings together film lovers and makers globally. It also includes a junior segment with Kneecap leading, and Palestine being the focal country. Head to galwayfilmfleadh.com for further details.
The Sult Féile, on the 12th and 13th, is a music festival taking place in Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht, County Donegal. It features artists such as Example, Bell X1, Alabama 3, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Kimmic, and Welshy. More at sultfeile.ie
Lastly, from the 12th to the 19th, the West Cork Literary Festival takes place in Bantry, offering workshops, readings, children’s events, and more. The line-up features an array of talents like Anne Enright, Colm Tóibín, Miriam Margolyes, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Adania Shibli, and David Nicholls. For more information, visit westcorkmusic.ie
The summer concludes with the Earagail Arts Festival.
Between 13th and 28th of July, Co Donegal will host a series of music, theatre, film, literature, circus and more. This will feature performances from Muireann Bradley and ‘Boyfriends’ by Ultan Pringle, a pop-up Gaeltacht, Catalan circus arts, Tory traditions and Arranmore’s stories. Visit eaf.ie for more information.
Meanwhile, the biannual Volvo Cork Week will take place from the 15th to 19th of July. This maritime festivity expects over 200 boats along with 10,000 spectators and sailors who will swarm into Crosshaven harbour town. Visit corkweek.ie for details.
From 15th to 28th July, the Galway International Arts Festival will showcase Irish and international theatre, circus, opera, and other visual arts shows. Heineken Big Top will be featuring Passenger, The Saw Doctors, Kneecap, Block Rockin Beats, Jess Glynne, Kettama and Gavin James. Mark O’Rowe’s ‘Reunion’, Christian O’Reilly’s ‘Unspeakable Conversations’ and ‘As We Face the sun’ by Kit Withington are some of the notable theatre acts. For more details, visit giaf.ie.
Forest Fest in Co Laois is scheduled on July 19th-21st with music from The Cult, The Human League, Ocean Colour Scene and The Divine Comedy, and more. This festival also offers family fun, circus, street theatre, drumming workshops, street food, craft beers, a cocktail bar and a funfair. Visit forestfest.ie for more information.
Ulster Fleadh concert will return to Dromore, Co Tyrone from 21st to 28th July, featuring performances by The Whistlin’ Donkeys, Daoirí Farrell, the Knockmore Céilí Band and the Blackwater Céilí Band. Visit their Facebook page (facebook.com/FleadhUlster/) for more details.
BelfastTradFest, from 21st to 28th July, will present traditional-music shows, céilithe, pub sessions, and a trad summer school with workshops, talks and lectures. Visit belfasttradfest.com for details.
Lastly, the Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival is coming up on July 27th and will conclude on August 5th.
This family-oriented festival based in the community offers an array of cultural, artistic, sporting, and musical events. Another highlight is the Mary from Dungloe contest wherein young ladies from Irish communities across the globe are nominated to represent their region. The crowned winner serves as the festival’s ambassador for a year, extending her representation to both Dungloe and Donegal. Attendees will enjoy performances from noted artists such as Daniel O’Donnell, Onóir, and Humble Earthworms. More information about the festival can be found at maryfromdungloe.ie.
In August, other notable events include the All Together Now festival held at Curraghmore Estate, Co Waterford from August 1st to 4th. It will showcase musical talents such as The Prodigy, The National, Jorja Smith, Róisín Murphy, Future Islands, James Vincent McMorrow, The Mary Wallopers, Natasha Bedingfield, and Kingfishr. Part of the event is the Brunch on the Bandstand with Tommy Tiernan and Panty Bliss. Learn more about it at alltogethernow.ie.
From August 2nd-4th, the Healing Spirit Festival takes place. This substance-free event in Cavan’s lakelands promotes music, art, food, and holistic wellbeing. Visit drummanyspirit.com for details.
The Spraoi International Street Arts Festival will also occur from August 2nd-4th where artists and musicians globally are set to perform. The main attraction is a parade through the ancient streets of Waterford city, expected to reel in over 20,000 spectators. Learn more at spraoi.com.
A variety of visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop-up performances, workshops, exhibitions, and community events are included in the Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival from August 2nd-10th. Visit birrvintageweek.com for more info.
The Kilkenny Arts Festival will run from August 8th-18th. It will debut Jóhann Jóhannsson’s Drone Mass in Ireland, the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s fresh piece by Errollyn Wallen, and a dual premier from the Irish National Opera. More details can be found at kilkennyarts.ie.
Waterford Walls from August 9th-18th is set to be Ireland’s biggest international street-art festival, brandishing impressive murals, workshops, and guided tours. Visit wallsproject.ie.
The Cork on a Fork Fest will round off the August events from August 14th-18th.
Feast upon culinary delights spanning over a period of five days at corkcity.ie. From August 15th to 18th, Mary Dullea, the renowned pianist, will headline four days of musical workshops and concerts at the Chamber Music on Valentia. Visit chambermusiconvalentia.com for more.
From August 16th to 18th, gear up for the well-acclaimed weekend music festival – Electric Picnic at the Stradbally Hall, Co Laois. Headliners Noah Kahan, Calvin Harris, and Kylie Minogue and many more music acts to look forward to. Details at electricpicnic.ie
August 21st to 25th marks the Masters of Tradition. Here, enjoy Irish traditional music performances in Bantry, west Cork, managed by the skilled fiddle player, Martin Hayes. Visit westcorkmusic.ie for more.
Celebrate bluegrass and country music at the Dunmore East Festival of Bluegrass held from August 22nd to 25th, set against the coastal backdrop of the Co Waterford town – discoverdunmore.com.
From August 23rd to 25th, immerse yourself in a fusion of art, music, conversation, and food at the 18th-century Killyon Manor, Co Meath in Another Love Story – anotherlovestory.ie
Witness a series of artistic displays at the Collins Barracks courtyard in Dublin under the event Wider Than Pictures, running from 23rd to 27th August, featuring artists including James Blunt, The The, and Deacon Blue – widerthanpictures.ie.
The Desmond O’Halloran Music Weekend, from August 30th to September 1st, brings together traditional, roots and folk sessions by rising and established musicians from Bofin, Connemara and Galway alongside esteemed guests – inishbofin.com.
In September, experience the Dublin Fringe Festival from the 7th to 22nd, showcasing hundreds of performers in several premiering shows – fringefest.com.