The wonder of Ireland. Closer than you think.

"St Patrick's Purgatory on Station Island has received barefoot pilgrims keeping an all-night vigil and strict fast for over a thousand years, making Lough Derg one of Europe's most demanding and continuous pilgrimage traditions."

Lough Derg Three-Day Pilgrimage Season

"A weekly Saturday showcase of local artists and craft workers from the Burren and Wild Atlantic Way region, held at the Russell Cultural Centre in the trad-music village of Doolin from 10am to 4pm."

Doolin Craft Fair

"A weekly Sunday gathering of local crafts, home baking, fresh produce, and artisan goods on the Connemara coast, a sociable window into the village community all summer long."

Roundstone Country Market

"The Coleman Traditional Irish Music Centre in tiny Gurteen village hosts a summer-long weekly céilí series celebrating the South Sligo style of music in the heartland that produced the legendary Michael Coleman."

Coleman Irish Music Centre Summer Céilís

"Marking its 10th anniversary in 2026, this family-friendly Achill village festival celebrates the patronal feast of St Dymphna with music, arts, sports, and bingo across the island over two weeks."

Féile Chill Damhnait

"A week-long community celebration in south Leitrim now in its 60th year, famous for free nightly open-air concerts on the main street alongside water sports, funfairs and children's events."

Ballinamore Family Festival

"A week-long community festival in the remote Erris peninsula featuring Heritage Day, Lá an Logha (Fair Day) and live entertainment against the Wild Atlantic Way backdrop."

Belmullet Festival

"One of North County Dublin's longest-running village festivals, established in 1970, packing a full three-day programme of live music headlined by the Whistlin' Donkeys, trad sessions, a pet show, vintage vehicle displays, and community fundraisers into the heart of a small rural village."

Garristown Festival

"A summer traditional music festival on the island of Great Island, drawing top-tier Irish trad musicians to perform sessions and concerts across the Victorian harbour town of Cobh."

Cobh Trad Fest

"A lively celebration of local producers and street food traders filling Church Square in Monaghan Town with artisan stalls, live music and community atmosphere each August."

Monaghan Street Food Festival

"Cobh's beloved three-day harbour festival combines sailing competitions, live music, a busking contest and a fancy dress parade in one of Ireland's most iconic waterfront towns."

Cobh People's Regatta

"A two-day celebration of the county's food and drink at Naas Racecourse, bringing together Kildare's local producers and chefs for tastings, live cooking demonstrations, workshops and live music."

Taste of Kildare

"A traditional street fair held every year on the Feast of the Assumption in the market town of Kenmare, continuing a centuries-old pattern day custom on the shores of Kenmare Bay."

Kenmare Fair

"Now in its 70th year, Cappamore Show is one of Munster's most respected one-day agricultural shows, drawing competitors from across the region for livestock, horses, vintage engines, and artisan craft classes."

Cappamore Agricultural Show

"A traditional rural parish show at Drumshervra Showgrounds bringing together livestock, home industries and community pride in one of Monaghan's quieter farming villages."

Tydavnet Parish Agricultural Show

"A rare surviving Limerick pattern day, held on the Feast of the Assumption, gathering the parish of Ballylanders for traditional devotions that link Christian feast to pre-Christian harvest custom."

Ballylanders Pattern Day, Feast of the Assumption

"A weekend of traditional currach racing and community celebration on the smallest of the Aran Islands, where skilled island rowers compete in boats that have shaped life on this remote Atlantic shore for centuries."

Rásaí Inis Oírr

"Rooted since 1996 in the tradition of the Humours of Bandon jig, this riverside town festival fills pubs and streets with trad sessions, folk and headline acts across a long summer weekend."

Bandon Music Festival

"A boutique two-day music, food, and community festival held in the whimsically named Fuddletown near Killinick, offering an intimate alternative to the large festival circuit in a south Wexford village setting."

FuddleFest

"An annual village fete at Slane Castle combining visits to the holy well, harp recitals, falconry, vintage cars, pony and trap rides and a duck derby in the historic estate grounds."

Lady Well Fete

"Athenry's Marian holy well hosts a vibrant annual pilgrimage on Lady's Day with open-air Mass, traditional rounds, and candles, keeping alive a pattern that has historically drawn emigrants home each August."

Our Lady's Well Pattern, Athenry

"Held in aid of Marymount Hospice, this August céilí in the Gaeltacht village of Ballyvourney pairs traditional set dancing with the Uí Bhriain céilí band for a night of music and community fundraising."

Conor's Céilí, Ballyvourney

"A community-built open-air timeline displayed along Main Street in the medieval coastal village of Timoleague, tracing centuries of local history in one walkable outdoor exhibition."

Timoleague Timeline

"Nenagh's historic Townhall on Banba Square anchors a programme of heritage talks and community events celebrating North Tipperary's built and cultural heritage during Heritage Week 2026."

Heritage Week Events Programme, Nenagh

"The seaside village of Liscannor hosts Heritage Week events at its community hall, celebrating the Cliffs of Moher coastline's natural and cultural history during the national celebration."

Heritage Week at Liscannor Community Hall

"The repurposed old garda barracks in Moyvane, now home to the village's community cafe and library, opens its doors for Heritage Week to explore the building's layered local history."

Heritage Week at Moyvane Old Garda Barracks

"A recurring Heritage Week Viking heritage celebration on the Waterford Greenway at Woodstown, featuring battle re-enactments, Viking games, and a craft village at one of Ireland's most significant Viking archaeological sites."

Aonach na nDéise, Woodstown

"The historic walled port town of Kinsale hosts a programme of Heritage Week events celebrating its remarkable 17th-century fortifications, maritime past, and living townscape traditions."

National Heritage Week 2026, Kinsale

"Children dig alongside real archaeologists from the School of Irish Archaeology in a hands-on excavation at one of Ireland's most iconic early-Christian monastic sites."

Big Dig at Glendalough

"Guided tours of Delgany's early Christian burial ground explain historic 18th and 19th century inscriptions and artistic motifs, with self-guided heritage trail leaflets also available."

Delgany Early Christian Graveyard Heritage Tours

"A weekend market-square fair in Tinahely featuring a live sheep run, sheep shearing demonstrations, wool craft stalls and local food, celebrating the county's pastoral heritage."

All Things Woolly at Tinahely

"A guided village walk through Newcastle exploring local landmarks, lore and the stories that shaped this quiet Wicklow coastal community."

Heritage Walk of Newcastle Village

"A practical Heritage Week talk at Carnew Library on the traditional skill of wild food foraging in the south Wicklow countryside."

Food Foraging Talk at Carnew Library

"A rare chance to step inside the restored six-storey Wicklow Head Lighthouse, perched above the Irish Sea and managed by Irish Landmark Trust, with guides leading visitors on the 2 km cliff walk from the carpark."

Wicklow Head Lighthouse Heritage Open Day

"Russborough House opens its exhibition centre free of charge during Heritage Week, showcasing 100 years of the Palladian mansion's families, history and culture alongside its half-price guided house tours."

Russborough House Heritage Open Day

"Kilruddery House opens its historic library and gardens during Heritage Week, with a traditional summer games day featuring sack races, egg-and-spoon races and welly throwing on the formal grounds."

Kilruddery House Heritage Open Day

"A rare public open day at ESB's underground Turlough Hill pumped-storage hydropower station, set beneath the Wicklow Mountains and one of Ireland's most remarkable feats of 20th-century engineering heritage."

ESB Turlough Hill Hydropower Station Open Day

"A Heritage Week event at the Royal Canal Harbour in Maynooth exploring the history of this 18th-century waterway that once linked Dublin to the River Shannon."

Royal Canal Heritage Event, Maynooth

"A family Heritage Week walk along the Valley Riverside Park and Fairy Trail in Kilcullen, combining the natural and folkloric heritage of the River Liffey valley."

Kilcullen Riverside Park and Fairy Trail Heritage Walk

"Heritage Week open access to St Brigid's Cathedral and its magnificent 10th-century Round Tower in Kildare Town, one of the finest examples of early-Christian architecture in Leinster."

St Brigid's Cathedral and Round Tower Heritage Open Day

"A community Heritage Week programme at Leixlip Parish Centre celebrating the Viking-founded town's rich built and cultural heritage on the banks of the Liffey."

Leixlip Parish Heritage Event

"A guided Heritage Week walk starting at Fore Abbey car park, exploring the Seven Wonders of Fore and the remarkably intact remains of this 13th-century Benedictine priory in the Westmeath countryside."

Fore Abbey Heritage Walk

"A Heritage Week guided walk along the Old Rail Trail Greenway, tracing the route of the disused Midland Great Western Railway line through the Westmeath lakeland landscape."

Old Rail Trail Greenway Heritage Walk

"The Wexford Bell Ringers open Rowe Street Church's historic bell tower during Heritage Week for demonstrations of the traditional campanology craft in one of Wexford's finest Victorian churches."

Wexford Bell Ringers Heritage Open Day

"Dunmore Cave, a Viking-age site where a hoard of silver coins and bones were discovered, opens with special Heritage Week guided tours exploring its dramatic limestone chambers and dark history."

Dunmore Cave Heritage Open Day

"A rare chance to join guided Heritage Week tours of the internationally significant Knock Shrine and Basilica, exploring the site's pilgrimage history and sacred architecture during the 50th anniversary of the Basilica."

Basilica 50: Guided Shrine and Basilica Tours

"A family storytelling event at Cavan County Museum in Ballyjamesduff follows a narrator through replica trenches to recount the lives of Cavan men who fought in the First World War."

Tales from the Trenches

"Newtown Castle, a rare 16th-century round tower castle in the Burren, opens free of charge throughout Heritage Week, offering visitors a glimpse of one of Ireland's most unusual surviving tower houses."

Newtown Castle Heritage Week Open Day

"Killua Castle, a romantic Gothic Revival ruin set within a vast demesne in County Westmeath, opens its gates each Heritage Week for morning visits to one of Ireland's most atmospheric lost estates."

Killua Castle Heritage Week Open Days

"Lough Park House, a Georgian country house near Castlepollard, opens its grounds and interiors each Heritage Week as part of the Revenue Section 482 public access scheme."

Lough Park House Heritage Week Open Days

"Borris House, a Tudor Revival mansion that has been home to the MacMurrough Kavanagh family for centuries, opens for afternoon tours during Heritage Week in its handsome south Carlow village setting."

Borris House Heritage Week Open Days

"Castlecoote House, a fine 18th-century Palladian villa with elaborate plasterwork in a quiet Roscommon village, opens each Heritage Week for guided afternoon tours through the Section 482 scheme."

Castlecoote House Heritage Week Open Days

"A celebration of traditional Irish crafts staged within the 13th-century Norman ruins of Ferns Castle, built by William Marshal on the ancient seat of the Kings of Leinster."

Ferns Castle Craft Fair

"King House, a magnificent early 18th-century mansion on Boyle's main street and once barracks to the Connaught Rangers, opens throughout Heritage Week with a full programme of tours and activities."

King House Heritage Week Open Days

"Strokestown Park, a Palladian mansion with one of Ireland's longest herbaceous borders and the Irish National Famine Museum, opens through Heritage Week in its planned Georgian estate village."

Strokestown Park Heritage Week Open Days

"Ballymaloe House, the celebrated East Cork farmhouse that became a world-famous culinary landmark, opens its historic interiors each morning during Heritage Week under the Section 482 scheme."

Ballymaloe House Heritage Week Open Mornings

"Rockfield Ecological Estate near Rathowen opens free of charge throughout Heritage Week, inviting visitors to explore its historic demesne alongside its working ecological restoration programme."

Rockfield Ecological Estate Heritage Week Open Days

"The Old Glebe in Newcastle, a rare surviving Georgian glebe house in the Dublin commuter belt, opens daily through Heritage Week giving rare access to a historic rural clergy dwelling."

The Old Glebe Heritage Week Open Days

"Bantry House, a stately 18th-century mansion overlooking Bantry Bay stuffed with European antiques and art, opens through Heritage Week as one of Ireland's most atmospheric privately owned historic houses."

Bantry House Heritage Week Open Days

"Ballyvolane House, a handsome 18th-century Italianate mansion amid the Blackwater Valley countryside near Castlelyons, is open throughout Heritage Week for tours of its fine interiors and gardens."

Ballyvolane House Heritage Week Open Days

"Ireland's first Cistercian monastery, where the Nine Years War ended and William of Orange camped before the Boyne, opens free for guided tours across Heritage Week."

Heritage Week Open Days at Old Mellifont Cistercian Abbey

"A tidal island monastic settlement founded by St Senan, complete with round tower and five medieval churches, opens for free boat-access visits across Heritage Week."

Heritage Week Open Days at Scattery Island Monastic Site

"Ferns' remarkable Augustinian abbey with its unique half-square, half-round tower opens free on the first day of Heritage Week, spotlighting a building that survived from Diarmait Mac Murchada's era."

Heritage Week Open Day at Ferns Castle and Abbey

"A medieval Benedictine priory set in a tranquil valley near Mullingar, legendary for its Seven Wonders of Fore, hosts Heritage Week tours from its car park in the village."

Heritage Week Guided Tour of Fore Abbey

"A rare chance to go hands-on at one of the finest Franciscan friaries in Ireland, with family dig-and-discover activities running throughout Heritage Week in Ennis town."

Dig and Discover at Ennis Friary

"Guided tours of the O'Donnell clan's 15th-century Franciscan abbey trace the story of Red Hugh O'Donnell and the Four Masters who compiled the Annals of the Four Masters here."

Abbey of Donegal Historical Tour

"Free access to the ancient Shannon-side monastery founded by St Ciarán in the 6th century, with guided tours of its cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, and eight churches."

Heritage Week Open Day at Clonmacnoise Monastic Site

"St Kevin's 6th-century valley monastery, with its iconic round tower and lakeside ruins deep in the Wicklow Mountains, hosts a Big Dig and special Heritage Week programming for all ages."

Heritage Week at Glendalough Monastic Site

"A heritage interpreter leads visitors around the ancient monastic site of Rahan and its medieval Church of Ireland church, a rarely visited early Christian foundation in rural Offaly."

St Carthage's Church and Rahan Monastic Site Heritage Week Opening

"One of the finest Cistercian ruins in Ireland, celebrated for its carved cloister arcade and expressive medieval effigies, offers free admission and guided tours throughout Heritage Week."

Heritage Week at Jerpoint Abbey

"Known locally as the Seven Castles, this vast 13th-century Augustinian walled priory beside the King's River is one of the largest medieval monuments in Ireland and opens free for Heritage Week."

Heritage Week at Kells Priory

"The ancient cathedral associated with St Brendan the Navigator, set in the quiet Kerry village of Ardfert, opens its Romanesque nave and three ruined churches free across Heritage Week."

Heritage Week at Ardfert Cathedral

"A Cistercian abbey founded by William Marshal after a vow made during a storm at sea, nestled in woodland on the Hook Peninsula, opens for free guided tours throughout Heritage Week."

Heritage Week at Tintern Abbey

"Wexford's imposing 19th-century Gothic Catholic church, a rare twin-towered landmark on the historic quayside, opens its doors for public Heritage Week visits."

Rowe Street Church Heritage Week Opening

"Eighth-generation stonecutters the O'Flaherty family lead guided tours of Ballyknockan, the Wicklow granite village whose quarried stone built some of Ireland's most iconic buildings."

Ballyknockan Stonecutters Village Guided Heritage Tour

"The medieval walled town of Athenry hosts Heritage Week archery demonstrations in the grounds of its 13th-century castle, placing a living traditional skill against one of Connacht's finest fortified monuments."

Archery Demonstrations at Athenry Castle

"Ballinderreen Community Centre hosts Heritage Week programming for this small south Galway coastal village, bringing together local history and community memory during the national celebration."

Ballinderreen Heritage Week Event

"Founded in 1946 and known as the County Carlow Show, this one-day event draws over 15,000 visitors to the Coppenagh showground for livestock, equestrian, dog, and domestic arts competitions alongside All Ireland Championship finals."

Tullow Agricultural Show

"Held each August in Ireland's oldest town on the Wild Atlantic Way, this traditional one-day show is a shop window for local livestock producers, agri-food businesses, and rural crafts in south Donegal."

Ballyshannon Agricultural Show

"Expert-guided tours of Carlingford's medieval streetscape and castle run across two weekends during Heritage Week, letting visitors follow in President Biden's footsteps through one of Ireland's best-preserved Anglo-Norman towns."

Carlingford Heritage Week Castle Tours

"Traditional currach racing in 4-oar, 6-oar and other categories off the shores of Inishbofin island, keeping alive the Atlantic island's seafaring heritage."

Inishbofin Regatta

"Mohill's annual show is a proud focal point for rural Leitrim, hosting All-Ireland Beef Shorthorn Junior Bull championship classes and a broad programme of livestock, equine and home industries competitions."

Mohill Agricultural Show

"A 1580 tower house midway through its own rescue throws open its doors for Heritage Week: the principal rooms, the formal gardens, the restoration story told by the family doing it, and lawns made for picnics."

Killoskehane Castle Open Day

"The Irish Landmark Trust opens Salterbridge Gatelodge near Cappoquin for self-guided tours, offering a rare glimpse inside one of Waterford's most characterful estate gate lodges."

Heritage Open Doors: Salterbridge Gatelodge

"The Irish Landmark Trust opens the enchanting Miniature Castle at Annes Grove Estate near Castletownroche for free self-guided tours during Heritage Open Doors weekend."

Heritage Open Doors: Annes Grove Miniature Castle

"The Irish Landmark Trust opens the Galley Head Lightkeeper's Houses on the dramatic West Cork headland for free self-guided tours, connecting visitors to Ireland's lighthouse-keeping heritage."

Heritage Open Doors: Galley Head Lightkeeper's Houses

"The Irish Landmark Trust opens Killee Cottage near Mitchelstown for free self-guided tours, giving the public access to this restored rural Cork cottage during Heritage Open Doors 2026."

Heritage Open Doors: Killee Cottage

"The Irish Landmark Trust opens the Head Gardener's House at Fota House on Fota Island for free self-guided tours, offering an intimate view of the estate's working heritage."

Heritage Open Doors: Head Gardener's House at Fota House

"The Irish Landmark Trust opens Inchiquin House in the Burren village of Corofin for free self-guided tours, shining a light on this historic Clare estate property."

Heritage Open Doors: Inchiquin House

"The Irish Landmark Trust opens the Lightkeeper's House at Loop Head Peninsula for free self-guided tours, celebrating the maritime and lighthouse heritage of this remote Clare headland."

Heritage Open Doors: Loop Head Lightkeeper's House

"The Irish Landmark Trust opens Goggin Cottage in the rural village of Kildimo for free self-guided tours, offering a window into traditional Limerick rural domestic life."

Heritage Open Doors: Goggin Cottage

"A hands-on celebration of Ireland's traditional crafts at the National Museum of Ireland Country Life in Turlough Park, showcasing the thatching, blacksmithing and rural skills under threat in 2026's Heritage at Risk theme."

Traditional Craft Celebration

"The Old Station House on Tyrconnell Street opens its doors during Heritage Week, bringing the story of Donegal's narrow-gauge railway back to life through displays and demonstrations."

Donegal Railway Heritage Museum Heritage Week Open Days

"The twin gate lodges of Castletown House, Ireland's largest Palladian mansion, open for rare self-guided public tours as part of Heritage Open Doors."

Heritage Open Doors: Castletown Gate Houses

"This eccentric Gothic gate lodge on the Castletown estate, named after the English architectural writer Batty Langley, opens its doors to the public for one day only."

Heritage Open Doors: Batty Langley Lodge

"The octagonal Wicklow Head Lighthouse, perched on a dramatic headland and restored by the Irish Landmark Trust, opens for self-guided tours during Heritage Open Doors."

Heritage Open Doors: Wicklow Head Lighthouse

"Historian Tim McCoy delivers a free public talk at Cobh Library uncovering the true life of Annie Moore, the first emigrant processed at Ellis Island, and untangling a long-standing case of mistaken identity."

Annie Moore: A Case of Mistaken Identity, Talk at Cobh Library

"The General Paints Group opens its historic Celbridge headquarters during Heritage Week, offering a unique glimpse into the colour, craft and industrial history behind one of Ireland's best-known heritage paint brands."

General Paints Heritage Open Day, Celbridge

"The premier showcase of Ireland's native Connemara pony breed, held over four days at the Clifden Showgrounds, drawing breeders and enthusiasts from around the world for in-hand, ridden, and working hunter classes."

Connemara Pony Show Clifden

"A hands-on Heritage Week workshop at Celbridge Library teaching the revolutionary 19th-century Irish Crochet Lace technique, once made in Kildare and exported worldwide."

Irish Crochet Lace Workshop, Celbridge Library

"A community Heritage Week gathering at Lacken Sensory Garden on the shores of Lacken Strand, celebrating the coastal and natural heritage of this quiet north Mayo village."

Lacken Heritage Day

"The Rossnowlagh Ramblers lead a guided walk into the hills behind the beach, exploring the area's archaeological landscape with expert commentary on its ancient heritage."

Heritage Walk Through the Hills Behind Rossnowlagh

"West Cork Music's curated festival brings together some of the most revered masters of Irish traditional music for intimate, high-calibre performances in the handsome market town of Bantry."

Masters of Tradition

"A celebrated food and drink gathering on the shores of Bantry Bay, showcasing the exceptional produce and artisan food culture of West Cork."

Bantry Food and Wine Festival

"A guided dusk walk along the wooded paths of Glendalough Upper Lake using bat detectors to find bats in flight, led by local wildlife experts."

Bat Walk at Glendalough Upper Lake

"A guided walk around Westport's Octagon and town centre revealing the ancient fossils embedded in the limestone buildings and streetscapes of this elegant Georgian planned town."

Urban Fossil Walk

"The Donegal Railway Heritage Museum brings the story of Ballyshannon's lost railway lines to Dorrian's Imperial Hotel through an evening talk and display celebrating the town's rail heritage."

Ballyshannon's Railways Remembered

"Inishowen Rivers Trust hosts an introduction to biodiversity using simple language and real-life specimens at the historic Lagg Presbyterian Church on the Inishowen Peninsula."

Green Guardians: Exploring the Web of Life, Lagg, Malin

"An annual celebration of Celtic music in the Iveragh Peninsula town of Cahersiveen, bringing traditional musicians and audiences together for a weekend of sessions, concerts, and community craic."

Cahersiveen Celtic Music Festival

"A tribute festival in the Atlantic-coast village of Waterville honouring Charlie Chaplin, who famously holidayed there, with film screenings, stand-up comedy, and street theatre."

Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival

"A celebratory gathering in Ballyhaunis blending bus heritage tours by day with a special community night, reviving the Tóstal festival tradition in the Irish midlands west."

Tóstal Bhreac-Cluana

"A beloved literary weekend transforming the medieval riverside village of Graiguenamanagh into a book lover's paradise, with over 25 independent booksellers, author talks, music and crafts along the River Barrow."

Graiguenamanagh Town of Books Festival

"A cherished 29-year-old set dancing weekend on the Shannon Estuary, honouring Clare dancing master Dan Furey with three nights of céilí music from the Tulla and Kilfenora Céilí Bands alongside workshops open to all."

Dan Furey Weekend of Set Dancing

"A book-town weekend in the medieval riverside village of Graiguenamanagh that celebrates reading, writing, and the joy of books across three summer days."

Ireland's Town of Books Festival

"A guided evening walk through Ballyconnell Nature Garden in Kilflynn, exploring how different habitat zones support a diversity of native plants and wildlife."

An Evening in the Nature Garden, Kilflynn

"Local professional photographer Jeff Harvey leads an interactive Heritage Week workshop on preserving and archiving personal photographs, covering both digital and printed formats at Clara Library."

Photography Workshop with Jeff Harvey, Clara Library

"A deeply local Heritage Week event in the remote Erris Gaeltacht village of Carrowteige, replaying rare community voice recordings from the early 1990s to preserve the living oral heritage of Dún Chaocháin."

Voices of Dún Chaocháin: Recordings from the Early 1990s

"Ireland's oldest agricultural show, celebrating its 200th edition in 2026, draws 25,000 visitors to Piltown for livestock, horses, horticulture, crafts and family competitions."

Iverk Show

"An inaugural village festival at The Village Pump in Rathangan celebrating the historic roots connecting Bruce Springsteen to County Kildare, with live music and community events."

Féile Springsteen

"Abarta Heritage leads a guided walk to the sacred St Brigid's Holy Well at Killare, exploring the landscape of early-Christian pilgrimage and holy well devotion in rural Westmeath."

St Brigid's Holy Well Heritage Walk, Killare

"A full-day biodiversity survey blitz in the atmospheric Moore Hall Forest Recreation Area beside Lough Carra, one of Ireland's most ecologically rare marl lakes, inviting all ages to help record its living heritage."

Lough Carra Bioblitz at Moore Hall

"A full-day heritage programme at the medieval Friary Church on Abbey Street exploring the founding history of Ballyhaunis Friary and its role in east Mayo's ecclesiastical and community heritage."

Ballyhaunis: Foundation of a Friary

"A community celebration of local memory at Ballyglass Community Centre, gathering photographs and personal stories that trace the social history of a small rural Mayo townland."

From Classroom to Community Centre: Stories and Photos

"Local archaeologist Dr Sharon Greene leads a guided walk through Castledermot's medieval streetscape, from the early monastic site of Díseart Diarmada to the surviving fabric of a once-walled Anglo-Norman borough."

Guided Heritage Walk of Castledermot

"A carefully curated boutique arts and music weekend set on the grounds of Killyon Manor, a rural Meath estate, blending intimate performances with a warm community atmosphere far from the festival mainstream."

Another Love Story

"A well-supported community agricultural show in the market town of Moate, bringing together livestock, equestrian classes, and rural crafts in the heart of County Westmeath each August."

Moate Agricultural Show

"Limerick's largest agricultural festival brings up to 15,000 visitors to Limerick Racecourse for show jumping, livestock classes, a dog show, horticulture, a food village, and live music all in a single summer day."

Limerick Show

"A long-established east Mayo show drawing farming families from across Connacht to compete in livestock, equestrian, and home produce classes in the market town of Swinford."

Swinford Agricultural Show

"A free Heritage Week display of beautifully restored vintage tractors, vehicles and farm machinery at John Hanlon's yard, with donations supporting the Maria Goretti Foundation."

John Hanlon's Vintage Museum Exhibition

"Over three thousand children from communities across all 26 counties compete in track, field, and outdoor team events at SETU's South Sports Campus, making this the largest annual community sports festival in rural Ireland."

Cairn Community Games National Athletics and Outdoor Teams Finals

"The Barn Ensemble and Roundwood Set Dancers bring to life the musical and social history of Wicklow's mining communities through tunes, storytelling, poetry and dance at Brockagh Resource Centre."

Wicklow Mining Heritage: Music, Story and Dance

"A guided biodiversity walk through Kiltimagh Emigrant Park exploring the living walls and green heritage of this south Mayo village, connecting natural heritage with the stories of emigration."

The Living Wall: A Biodiversity Walk in Kiltimagh Park

"A community Heritage Week gathering at Ballinderreen Community Centre in this small south Galway village on the shores of Galway Bay, part of a county-wide programme of over 100 events celebrating Galway's rural heritage."

Ballinderreen Heritage Week Open Day

"Fahan Community Development Partnership leads a Water Heritage Day walk from the car park of the ancient Saint Mura's Church of Ireland, exploring the early-Christian and maritime heritage of this Lough Swilly shoreline village."

Fahan Community Heritage Walk

"A heartfelt island tribute to singer and musician Desmond O'Halloran, bringing family, friends, and admirers together on Inishbofin for music sessions and cultural celebration honouring a cherished local performer."

Desmond O'Halloran Music Weekend

"Trail runners tackle fuchsia-lined island lanes and clifftop paths in a half marathon and 10km on Ireland's southernmost inhabited island, with the ferry crossing from Baltimore included in the adventure."

Cape Clear Island Races

"Ireland's best-loved arts and music festival, held on the wooded grounds of Stradbally Hall, bringing world-class headliners, comedy, and the MindField talks programme to a Laois village estate each August."

Electric Picnic

"An annual long-distance guided walking day along the Shannon corridor, giving participants a sociable and supported way to tackle a multi-stage route through the heart of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands."

Carrick Camino

"Self-styled the best little show in Munster, Dualla packs livestock, showjumping, sheepdog trials, tractor pulling, vintage displays, artisan food and free children's entertainment into one spectacular late-summer Sunday near Cashel."

Dualla Show

"A lakeshore walking pilgrimage along the ancient Pilgrim Path at Lough Derg, offered in an 8 km or 12 km format, inviting participants to experience the sacred landscape of St Patrick's Purgatory on foot."

Lough Derg Pilgrim Path Sunday

"A harvest celebration weekend set among Skerries' iconic working windmills and watermill, blending live music, family attractions, and the seasonal heritage of grain milling during National Heritage Week."

Skerries Mills Harvest Time Festival

"Europe's largest singles festival, running for over 165 years in this small Burren spa town, fills every pub and hotel throughout September with céilí dancing, country music and the legendary services of traditional matchmaker Willie Daly."

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival

"A three-day East Galway traditional music festival honouring the legacy of musician Larry Reynolds, with sessions, workshops, storytelling, and céilí firmly rooted in the local community."

Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds

"An internationally acclaimed five-day blues festival that transforms Monaghan Town into a world-class hub for guitarists and roots musicians each September."

Harvest Time Blues Festival

"One of Ireland's longest-running storytelling gatherings, this acclaimed festival brings seanchaithe and international tellers together on Ireland's southernmost inhabited Gaeltacht island for a weekend of spoken word, walks and sessions."

Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival

"Clare Island's annual folk weekend brings some of the finest musicians, songwriters and performers in the country to this remote Clew Bay island for a weekend of outstanding live music."

Clare Island Folk Festival

"A family-friendly two-day festival set in the grounds of Oakfield Park near Raphoe, mixing live original acts and tribute performances across two stages in the heart of County Donegal."

Oakfest

"One of Leinster's flagship agricultural days, the Royal Meath Show fills the Porchfields of Trim each September with pedigree livestock, equestrian displays, an artisan craft marquee, and trade stands celebrating the best of the Royal County's farming heritage."

Royal Meath Show

"Now in its eighth decade, this south Mayo show regularly attracts nearly 7,000 visitors to Ballinrobe Racecourse for livestock competitions, equestrian classes, crafts, and family entertainment beside Lough Mask."

Ballinrobe Agricultural Show

"One of Kerry's most tenacious pattern survivals, pilgrims pay rounds three times sunwise at Our Lady's Well on 8 September in a tradition that draws returned emigrants and the travelling community from across Ireland and Britain."

Ballyheigue Pattern Day

"Pilgrims process the Pilgrim Cross through the great 6th-century monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise on St Ciarán's feast day, a diocesan pilgrimage that transforms a UNESCO-listed monument back into a living sacred community."

Clonmacnoise Pattern Day, Féile Naomh Ciarán

"A four-day multidisciplinary arts festival on the scenic shores of Lough Derg in Portumna, spanning visual arts, music, film, theatre, and literature in one of County Galway's most undervisited lakeside towns."

Shorelines Arts Festival

"A beloved two-day outdoor folk and roots music festival held in the small west Limerick village of Kilmeedy, with camping under the September sky and a warm community atmosphere."

Full Moon Rising

"Set on the wild Atlantic edge of Achill Island, this growing folk festival fills village pubs and venues in Dooagh with headline sessions, workshops and intimate recitals from some of the finest names in Irish and Celtic folk."

Dooagh Folk Festival

"A vibrant late-summer gathering in the fishing village of Cleggan blending live music, local food, traditional Irish music, and sean-nós dancing on the edge of the Atlantic."

Cleggan Fringe Festival

"An intimate four-day chamber music festival in the Georgian estate town of Westport, attracting top international and Irish ensembles to a series of concerts in unique small venues."

Westport Festival of Chamber Music

"A three-day blues festival held at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountains in Enniscorthy, drawing Irish and international blues acts to intimate pub and venue stages in this historic Norman town."

Blackstairs Blues Festival

"This annual memorial weekend in the small Cavan market town of Cootehill keeps alive the music of the late Gerry Whelan with sessions, concerts and céilís drawing trad musicians from across Ulster and beyond."

Gerry Whelan Memorial Traditional Music Weekend

"Set in the heritage town of Strokestown, this established Roscommon show closes out the main show season as a venue for All-Ireland Beef Shorthorn Heifer Calf championship qualifiers alongside its traditional livestock and rural crafts programme."

Strokestown Agricultural Show

"The Village Green transforms into a living history Viking camp each September, with re-enactors, the Ardglass Viking Longboat, street entertainment and interactive family activities set against Carlingford's medieval walls."

Carlingford Viking Experience and Medieval Festival

"A volunteer-run, family-oriented community festival in the small north Wexford village of Kilanerin, placing locally grown food produce at the heart of a two-day programme of heritage, craft, and entertainment."

Kilanerin Food and Heritage Festival

"Europe's largest outdoor agricultural trade exhibition and cultural event returns to Screggan, Tullamore, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to witness competitive ploughing, livestock, and rural crafts."

National Ploughing Championships

"Billed as the longest-running community arts festival in Ireland, this ten-day Connemara celebration brings theatre, music, visual arts, and literary events to the market town of Clifden each autumn."

Clifden Community Arts Festival

"The second Bere Island Arts Festival brings a diverse programme of visual arts, theatre, music and literature to this West Cork island, culminating in a special Culture Night event."

Bere Island Arts Festival

"Rooted in Kerry's deep oral tradition and inspired by the old Rambling House custom, this four-day festival gathers storytellers from Ireland, Europe, and beyond for an international celebration of the spoken word."

Listowel International Storytelling Festival

"A specialist singing festival in a small West Cork village, Drimoleague gathers sean-nós and English-language traditional singers from across Ireland for an intimate weekend of song focused on the unaccompanied vocal tradition."

Drimoleague Traditional Singing Festival

"The prestigious King and Queen of the Roads championship, the showpiece finale of the Irish Road Bowling season, runs over three days on the country roads around Ballincurrig in East Cork, crowning the year's top male and female bowlers."

King and Queen of the Roads

"An inaugural free three-day festival organised by Bog Bodies Press that revives centuries-old Connemara storytelling traditions in the fishing village of Roundstone, putting community and connection above performance."

Roundstone Storytelling Festival

"Pilgrims process between the ancient high crosses and ruined churches of Clonmacnoise on St Ciarán's feast, maintaining an unbroken pilgrimage tradition at one of the great monastic sites of early medieval Europe."

St Ciarán's Pattern Day, Clonmacnoise

"A week-long celebration of harvest traditions in the literary market town of Listowel, bringing Kerry farmers, producers and the wider community together each September."

Listowel Harvest Festival

"An intimate autumn celebration of Donegal fiddle tradition held in Ardara, honouring the legacy of legendary travelling fiddler Johnny Doherty with sessions, concerts and workshops."

Johnny Doherty Festival

"A warm island weekend of traditional music and set dancing on Inishbofin, welcoming beginners and seasoned dancers alike with sessions, concerts, and the renowned hospitality of the island community."

Inishbofin Trad and Set Dancing Festival

"An annual literary festival in Kavanagh's own village of Inniskeen, combining keynote talks, poetry readings, and performances that celebrate the life and enduring legacy of Patrick Kavanagh."

Patrick Kavanagh Weekend

"A ten-day community festival of traditional music, song, dance and Irish language in the Cois Fharraige Gaeltacht of Conamara, celebrating one of the living heartlands of Connacht trad culture."

Féile Chois Fharraige

"A boutique literary weekend in a picturesque fishing village on the Wexford coast that turns the harbour setting into a stage for acclaimed authors, workshops, and lively literary debate."

Write By The Sea Literary Festival

"This island-wide trad weekend on car-free Inishbofin brings céilís, sean-nós dance workshops, set dancing classes for all levels and informal sessions in every venue, all anchored by the distinctive Inishbofin Half Set."

Inishbofin Set Dancing and Traditional Music Festival

"A packed three-day set dancing weekend at the Seven Oaks Hotel brings together céilís with the Abbey, Brian Ború and Johnny Reidy bands, workshops, sean-nós, and social dancing for all levels."

Carlow Set Dancing Weekend

"Established in 1829 and now in its 186th year, this two-day show at Ballinasloe Showgrounds is the oldest agricultural show in Ireland, hosting five All-Ireland Championship finals across ponies, horses, cattle, sheep, and dogs."

Ballinasloe Horse and Agricultural Show

"A vibrant traditional music event in the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht community of Gaoth Dobhair in northwest Donegal, rooted in the living musical culture of one of Ireland's most dynamic Irish-language areas."

Dorn san Aer

"Achill Island's unique watersports and music festival draws kitesurfers, windsurfers, and festival-goers from across the world to Keel Lake and Keel Beach for a weekend of Atlantic action."

Battle for the Lake

"A four-week countywide programme centred on the return of the Cailleach Chiarraí, the hag of winter, bringing Samhain parades, Cailleach Céilís, storytelling, and food events to villages across Kerry."

Samhain Chiarraí: A Kerry Halloween

"A month-long October festival at the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre in The Naul that taps into Samhain craft and myth through archaeology workshops, mask-making, storytelling, a Harvest Food Fair, and Irish whiskey tastings."

Soul of Samhain

"A weekend Taste Trail through one of Ireland's most celebrated food towns, showcasing Dingle Peninsula's award-winning artisan producers, celebrity chef demonstrations, and street markets with Atlantic seafood at their heart."

Dingle Food Festival (Féile Bia Dhaingean Uí Chúis)

"Europe's oldest and largest horse fair, now in its 303rd year, filling Ballinasloe's Fair Green for eight days with horse and pony trading, street entertainment, a vintage parade, fireworks, and the deep traditions of the Irish Travelling community."

Ballinasloe International October Fair and Festival

"One of Europe's oldest and largest horse fairs, tracing roots to 1722, where hundreds of dealers buy and sell Irish Draught and Connemara horses by handshake on the historic Fair Green, surrounded by fireworks, tug-of-war, street parades, and a funfair."

Ballinasloe International Horse Fair and Festival

"A unique competitive filmmaking festival in Birr where participants are challenged to conceive, shoot and screen a short film within just a few days."

OFFline Film Festival

"Claimed as Ireland's first walking festival, this long-running autumn weekend explores the hills and ancient routes of Ballyhoura Country with sunrise walks, moonlight ascents, and a medieval stroll in nearby Kilmallock."

Ballyhoura Walking Festival

"A sprawling autumn arts festival centred on the small West Cork village of Leap, running over two weeks with performances, exhibitions and creative events for the local and visiting community."

Leap Arts Festival

"A five-day autumn festival in Castleisland honouring the fiddle legend of the Sliabh Luachra tradition, with sessions, concerts and workshops celebrating the living music of east Kerry."

Patrick O'Keeffe Traditional Music Festival

"One of Ireland's longest-running food festivals takes over Kilkenny Castle's medieval grounds for five days of artisan markets, top-chef cooking demos and a family street party rooted in ancient Samhain harvest tradition."

Savour Kilkenny

"A ten-day autumn festival anchored in Sligo town that blends Irish traditional and folk music with international acts, céilís and sessions across the town's pubs and venues each October."

Sligo Live

"Running since 2007, this much-loved Halloween weekend festival fills the lakeside town of Virginia with pumpkin competitions, parades, and family festivities every October bank holiday."

Virginia Pumpkin Festival

"Ireland's original food festival, held each October in the medieval port town of Kinsale, showcases the Good Food Circle's member restaurants with escorted tastings, chef showcases and harbour-side dining events."

Kinsale Gourmet Festival

"Kinsale's famous autumn food and arts celebration, gathering visitors to the gourmet capital of Ireland for a weekend of tastings, cookery events and live entertainment."

Kinsale October Festival

"A daily guided descent into Oweynagat, the mythological Cave of the Cats at Rathcroghan, Europe's largest unexcavated royal site and the original home of the Samhain festival."

Origins of Samhain, Oweynagat Cave Tour

"A four-day hillwalking weekend deep in the Wicklow Mountains, based at Glenmalure Lodge, with graded guided walks through Wicklow Mountains National Park including an ascent of Lugnaquilla, Leinster's highest peak."

Wicklow Walking Festival

"Families follow storytelling guides through the woodland of Strokestown Park to uncover the folklore of Oíche Shamhna, with costume-encouraged Samhain games and craft making woven through the estate grounds."

Strokestown Park Samhain Trail

"Bunratty's living-history folk park recreates 18th- and 19th-century Irish Halloween traditions with haunted castle tours, ghostly banquets, and costumed storytelling set inside an authentic medieval fortress village."

Halloween at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

"A once-in-a-generation outdoor spectacle marking 300 years of Gulliver's Travels, transforming Cavan Courthouse with large-scale digital projections, theatre, music, and community lantern art inspired by Jonathan Swift's West Cavan connections."

Gulliver's Travels 300th Anniversary Celebration

"A county-wide Celtic mythological festival culminating in the Fire and Shadows Procession on Halloween night, tracing the path of the Morrígan from Rathcroghan along the ancient heartlands highway to Longford town."

Dead of Night Halloween Festival

"A historic one-day livestock fair at the Connemara crossroads of Maam Cross, rooted in the tradition of local farmers trading cattle, sheep, and Connemara ponies to supplement a living from the rocky western landscape."

Maam Cross Fair (An Aonach Mór)

"An intimate autumn gathering in the estate village of Glin celebrating the legacy of the Mulvihill brothers with workshops, sessions and concerts rooted in the north Munster trad tradition."

Brendan and Martin Mulvihill Traditional Music Week

"An autumn festival in the North Cork estate village of Doneraile, taking in the heritage of Doneraile Court and Park with community events, music and local traditions."

Doneraile Festival

"A multi-town children's arts week coordinated by Offaly County Council Arts Office, running across Birr, Clara, Edenderry and Tullamore with theatre, film, music workshops and storytelling over the school half-term."

Hullabaloo, Offaly's Children's Arts Festival

"The premier competitive Irish-language arts festival, Oireachtas na Samhna, gathers Gaeilge speakers, musicians, poets, dancers, and dramatists from across Ireland and the diaspora in Killarney for the highlight of the Gaeltacht cultural calendar."

Oireachtas na Samhna

"Ireland's flagship Samhain festival animates the medieval Norman walls of Trim Castle with fire processions, a Gathering of the Spirits parade, four nights of music and the ceremonial lighting of the ancestral flame. The festival spans Trim and neighbouring Athboy, where the Samhain fire is lit on the Hill of Ward, the custom's recorded birthplace."

Púca Festival (Trim and Athboy)

"Curated by the Geata Arts collective since 2017, this community Samhain festival blends free traditional music sessions, folklore talks and a costume-making tradition culminating in the Púca Parade through Clonakilty at sunset on the ancient feast day."

Clonakilty Samhain Festival

"At Tlachtga on the Hill of Ward, Athboy hosts the free ceremonial Lighting of the Samhain Fire, a direct revival of the ancient rite where all fires in Ireland were once relit from a single sacred flame."

Púca Festival, Athboy and the Lighting of the Samhain Fire

"A two-night Halloween celebration in the medieval walled port town of Youghal, bringing spooky spectacle and family-friendly fun to one of Ireland's most historic streetscapes."

Youghal Halloween Festival

"The medieval walled port town of Youghal is transported back to ancient Celtic tradition as An Bean Uisce walks the streets and candlelit storytelling fills the centuries-old stone laneways the night before Halloween."

Spirit of Samhain, Youghal

"A Samhain torchlight procession from Athboy town to the ancient Hill of Ward, reviving the Celtic new year fire ceremony at one of Ireland's most sacred druitic hilltop sites."

Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival

"Halloween and the ancient pagan feast of Samhain come alive on Inis Mór, where the Celtic tradition has always run particularly deep and the island marks Oíche Shamhna with strong community custom."

Oíche Shamhna ar Inis Mór

"A community lantern and drumming procession through Roscommon town on Halloween night, culminating at the Arts Centre with a film and storytelling session rooted in the nearby Rathcroghan mythological landscape."

Roscommon Town Samhain Procession

"A spirited Halloween weekend of set dancing céilís at Ardaghey Community Centre in rural Monaghan, featuring céilí bands including Oisín McCann and Pat Murphy calling, with workshops for all levels."

Halloween Set Dancing Weekend

"On Halloween night the ancestral Samhain flame is relit at Tlachtga on the Hill of Ward, re-enacting the ancient tradition where all fires in Ireland were extinguished and reborn from a single sacred fire."

Lighting of the Samhain Fire at Tlachtga

"An intimate festival in the Ring of Kerry village of Sneem celebrating the oral tradition through storytelling performances, folklore, and community gatherings in a uniquely scenic setting."

Sneem International Storytelling and Folklore Festival

"A five-day November festival in the trad heartland of Ennis, Clare, bringing concerts, sessions and workshops to pubs and venues across a town synonymous with Irish traditional music."

Ennis TradFest

"Building on thirty years of tradition, this five-day November festival fills Ennis with marquee concerts, a town-wide session trail, masterclasses and youth-focused trad events that showcase Clare as the home of Irish traditional music."

Ennis Trad Festival

"A harvest-end food festival in the Boyne Valley combining the renowned Sheridans Irish Food Fair with farm tours, cookery demos, a Long Table Supper, and tastings celebrating the best of Irish seasonal produce."

Samhain Festival of Food and Culture with Sheridans Irish Food Fair

"An established autumn set dancing weekend at the Longford Arms Hotel draws céilí enthusiasts from across the midlands for three nights with Swallow's Tail, Rise the Dust, Blackwater and Johnny Reidy bands."

Longford Set Dancing Weekend

"A woodland craft market set within the illuminated Avondale Forest Park, pairing handmade stalls and vintage carousels with Treetop Night Lights and a real ice rink beside the historic Parnell family estate."

Winter Woodland Christmas Market at Beyond the Trees Avondale

"A celebrated two-weekend artisan fair on the grounds of the famous Ballymaloe House estate, showcasing over 200 Irish craft and food exhibitors with a different roster of makers each weekend."

Ballymaloe Christmas Craft Fair

"An after-dark illuminated trail through the heritage arboretum and gardens surrounding Fota House, featuring light installations, glowing wildlife sculptures and festive projections among listed specimen trees."

Wonderlights at Fota House Arboretum

"A month-long programme of festive events across Killarney town, blending Dine in Killarney restaurant nights, street craft markets, an ice rink and Santa visits with winter walks through the National Park."

Christmas in Killarney

"Established in 2019, this compact West Kerry book festival brings authors and readers together in both Irish and English, honouring the rich literary heritage of the Dingle Peninsula."

Dingle Literary Festival

"A daily festive market running for nearly four weeks in Sligo town, bringing together small local businesses and artisan makers in a community-led celebration of Irish-made goods."

Sligo Christmas Market

"Returning in 2026 after a year's absence, this harbour-town market at The Murrough brings over 50 stalls of local craft and food, a Santa Express train, and a 300-metre eco-ice trail."

Wicklow Town Christmas Market

"A weekend craft and food market set against Kilkenny's medieval streetscape, combining local artisan stalls, open-air movie nights and live music across several weeks of festive programming."

Kilkenny Yulefest Christmas Market

"A two-weekend festive market in the Kildare market town of Naas, kicking off with a ceremonial arrival of Santa escorted by the Gardaí and a Christmas lights switch-on with live performance."

Naas Christmas Market

"A new festive format launched in 2025 that transforms the atmospheric Victorian Wicklow Gaol into a Christmas events venue, offering a distinctly local and historic setting for seasonal entertainment."

Wicklow Wrapped at Wicklow Gaol

"Held across three December weekends at the OPW's Farmleigh Estate in Phoenix Park, this market combines festive food and craft stalls with horse-and-carriage rides, puppet shows, and Victorian dress-up against twinkling parkland grounds."

Farmleigh Estate Christmas Market

"A midlands festive market held across two four-day runs in Athlone's John Count McCormack Civic Square, spotlighting local producers and community traders in a town celebrated for its riverside setting."

Athlone Christmas Market

"Each winter solstice, a lottery-selected handful of people witness the 5,000-year-old passage tomb at Newgrange fill with the rising sun's light, in one of the world's most moving midwinter rituals."

Grianstad an Gheimhridh / Winter Solstice at Newgrange

"Rival wren groups in competing colours have paraded through Dingle's streets since time immemorial, filling every pub with trad music from dawn until long after dark on St. Stephen's Day."

Lá an Dreoilín / Wren Day Dingle

"One of the surviving rural wren gatherings on the Dingle Peninsula, where a local group takes to the village streets and farmhouses on St. Stephen's Day in the old tradition."

Dreoilín Lios Póil

"The small Brandon Bay village of Cloghane keeps the old wren custom alive each St. Stephen's Day with a costumed procession through the village."

Dreoilín Chlochán Bhréannain

"Ireland's most westerly Gaeltacht village maintains its own named wren group, processing through the townland on St. Stephen's Day in the Irish-speaking tradition of Lá an Dreoilín."

Dreoilín Dhún Chaoin

"Listowel holds one of Kerry's longest-running wren competitions each St. Stephen's Day, with costumed groups vying for honours through the streets of this literary market town."

Lá an Dreoilín Listowel

"Miltown Malbay is one of Ireland's most celebrated wren day locations outside Kerry, with straw-suited musicians parading through the town in a tradition that draws trad music lovers each December."

Lá an Dreoilín Miltown Malbay

"The Clare village of Kilmihil maintains one of County Clare's active wren day customs, with local groups taking to the streets in disguise and playing traditional music on St. Stephen's Day."

Lá an Dreoilín Kilmihil

"Around 30 wren participants travel by bus through the Stradbally parish visiting homes and pubs in a warmly community-focused St. Stephen's Day custom described in Ireland's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage."

Lá an Dreoilín / Wren Day Stradbally

"Rival neighbourhood Wren groups in straw suits and elaborate costumes parade through Dingle from dawn, competing street-by-street in one of Ireland's oldest and most unbroken midwinter folk customs."

Lá an Dreoilín (Wren's Day)

"Now in its fifth decade, this east Galway village festival is Ireland's foremost surviving mummers competition, bringing together costumed troupes for a night of music, song, dance, and storytelling rooted in medieval tradition."

New Inn Mummers Festival

"West Kerry is the heartland of Nollaig na mBan, where local women have gathered on 6 January for generations to rest, celebrate and keep alive a tradition that reverses domestic roles for the final day of Christmas."

Nollaig na mBan / Women's Christmas West Kerry

"The small festival with the big reputation: an intimate world-class gathering of traditional and folk musicians in the beautiful seaside village of Baltimore, running since 1992."

Baltimore Fiddle Fair

"Ireland's only dedicated travel-writing festival, held each June in the medieval riverside town of Lismore since 2003, blending author talks, live music and fine entertainment in one of Waterford's most historic settings."

Lismore Immrama Festival of Travel Writing

"One of the oldest agricultural shows in Ireland, held at Treanlawn, Killoe, with livestock championships, showjumping, craft marquee, live country music, and free children's entertainment drawing visitors from across the country."

Longford Agricultural Show

"One of Munster's most complete one-day agricultural shows, held at Powerstown Park Racecourse with cattle, horses, sheep, poultry, home industries, arts and crafts, a Donkey Derby and live music all under the same roof."

Clonmel Show

"Held at the mart ground in the heart of Connemara, this annual one-day show celebrates the native Connemara pony alongside sheep, dogs, and trade stands in a setting of wild mountain scenery."

Maam Cross Connemara Pony Show

"In its 75th year, this traditional one-day show at Killag combines cattle, sheep, goat and poultry judging, dressage, show jumping, sheepdog trials, and home industry classes on a long-established show field in the southeast corner of Wexford."

Bannow and Rathangan Agricultural Show

"Running for 41 years in a working fishing village, this community-run festival serves locally landed seafood platters, live music, and children's workshops as a fundraiser for the Stella Maris Centre."

Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival

"A compact mid-summer arts weekend filling the historic harbour town of Kinsale with visual art, music, performance and open studios across its medieval streets."

Kinsale Arts Weekend

"A four-day multi-village celebration rooted in the Comeragh Mountains, weaving together open-air mountain concerts, traditional sheep shearing, storytelling and guided mountain walks across rural Waterford."

Comeraghs Wild Festival

"One of Ireland's longest-running open-air country music gatherings, filling The Diamond in Monaghan Town with four nights of live dancing and headline acts each July."

Monaghan Town Country Music Festival

"A ten-day Celbridge arts festival tied to the real-life story of Jonathan Swift and Esther Vanhomrigh, returning in 2026 to mark the 300th anniversary of the publication of Gulliver's Travels."

Swift & Vanessa Arts Festival

"A three-day celebration in Wicklow Town's Abbey Grounds, showcasing over 30 artisan food producers, live chef demonstrations from Catherine Fulvio and Rachel Allen, craft stalls, live music and outdoor cinema."

Taste of Wicklow Food and Music Festival

"One of Ireland's most respected literary gatherings, held each July in the market town of Bantry, bringing Irish and international writers together for readings, workshops and events for all ages."

West Cork Literary Festival

"A three-night outdoor festival at Ballinderreen GAA grounds, reviving the showband tradition of the 1950s and 1960s when this small south Galway village was a key stop on the national music circuit."

South Galway Bay Music Festival

"A vibrant community celebration in the heritage village of Ramelton featuring a four-day main music programme alongside pre-events and activities across the surrounding week."

The Lennon Festival

"Now in its 9th year, this three-night live music festival pitches a Big Top on the shorefront overlooking Lough Swilly, with on-site camping and food vendors for a family-friendly atmosphere."

Buncrana Music Festival

"A returning summer highlight in the heart of the Inishowen Peninsula, this three-night marquee music event in Carndonagh has drawn crowds since it began in 2018."

Live in the Marquee Carndonagh

"A storytelling and community festival honouring poet Patrick Kavanagh in his home village, with period-dress cycling, céili-house tours, barn performances and a family barbecue."

Inniskeen Road July Evening Festival

"A high-energy lakeside family festival on the shores of Lough Muckno, running since 1999, combining live music, water sports, themed family days and Saturday night entertainment."

Muckno Mania Festival

"A thrilling off-road cycling challenge that sends mountain bikers and gravel riders descending through the wild terrain of the Nire Valley in the heart of the Comeragh Mountains."

Nire Valley Drop Mountain Bike and Gravel Grinder Challenge

"Classic and vintage vehicles from across the south-east gather for a scenic run and open-air display through the Comeragh Mountain foothills, drawing enthusiasts of all ages."

Comeragh Motor Club Classic and Vintage Car Run and Display

"A two-day community celebration in Enniscorthy blending road races, live music, family fun, and a market around the themes of movement and mental well-being."

Pulze Festival

"The Munster Provincial Fleadh fills the heritage streets of Lismore for eight days of competitions, céilí mór, pub sessions, and cultural events as hundreds of trad musicians vie to qualify for the All-Ireland."

Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan

"The national governing body's premier All Ireland road bowling series descends on the ancient bóithrín roads around Ballinagree, bringing together Senior Ladies, Intermediate Men, Junior, and Under-18 competitors in one of Ireland's oldest and most characterful outdoor sports."

All Ireland Road Bowling Series 1

"A bilingual Irish and English multidisciplinary summer festival spread across County Donegal's Gaeltacht communities and wild Atlantic coastline, combining circus, theatre, music and spoken word to celebrate a unique language and landscape."

Earagail Arts Festival

"The heartland of Irish road bowling hosts the first leg of the national All Ireland championship series across six categories, drawing competitors and passionate crowds to the rural roads of Ballinagree."

Ból Chumann na hÉireann All Ireland Series 1

"A lively open-air country music day at Gowran Park Racecourse gathering top Irish country acts, a giant dance floor and family attractions in the heart of rural Kilkenny."

Kilkenny Country Music Festival

"A show with over 180 years of unbroken tradition at the Westmeath Show Society's own 50-acre Culleen showgrounds, featuring pedigree cattle, sheep, horses, showjumping, and trade stands drawing entries from across Ireland."

Mullingar Agricultural Show

"One of Munster's longest-running county shows, held at the Ennis Showgrounds for over a century, with livestock, equestrian, horticulture, arts and crafts classes showcasing the best of Clare farming and rural life."

County Clare Agricultural Show

"Ireland's longest-running community festival celebrates the River Moy with eight days of traditional music, the historic Moy Swim, Cruinniú na mBád boat parade, National Heritage Day, and a fireworks finale."

Ballina Salmon Festival

"A week-long immersion in the fiddle-rich traditions of south Sligo, held in a characterful market town that has nurtured some of Ireland's finest trad players."

South Sligo Summer School

"One of Europe's oldest horse fairs, held on Buttevant's main street every 12 July since at least the reign of Charles II, where legend holds that both Napoleon and Wellington sourced their famous warhorses."

Cahirmee Horse Fair

"A beloved Connemara village show featuring 20 in-hand Connemara Pony classes alongside dog and sheep competitions, celebrating the area's deep-rooted breeding tradition on the wild Atlantic seaboard."

Roundstone Connemara Pony, Dog and Sheep Show

"A traditional currach racing day on the quiet western shores of Lough Corrib, part of the beloved Rásaí na gCurrach season that keeps west of Ireland rowing customs alive."

Corr na Móna Currach Races

"Held within Ballina Salmon Festival week, the Ballina Agricultural Show is a standalone livestock and produce show drawing on the rich farming heritage of north Mayo."

Ballina Agricultural Show

"Set in the Victorian grounds of Wells House and Gardens, this one-day festival gathers over 200 Irish food and drink producers alongside live cooking demos and music in a rare rural estate setting."

Wells Food Fest 2026

"Held in the walled demesne of the 19th-century Johnstown Castle, this summer garden fair combines horticultural and artisan stalls with the castle's Victorian pleasure grounds and ornamental lake."

Johnstown Castle Garden Fair

"A beloved programme of standalone céilís at Miltown Malbay Community Hall, featuring top-flight bands including Micheál Sexton, Johnny Reidy and the Tulla Céilí Band across the summer and autumn."

Miltown Malbay Community Hall Céilís

"A beloved recurring céilí series at Miltown Malbay Community Hall draws the region's finest bands including the Tulla Céilí Band and Star of Munster across four evenings each season."

Miltown Malbay Céilí Series

"The Munster provincial qualifying fleadh brings hundreds of traditional musicians, singers and dancers to the small heritage town of Lismore to compete across all categories for a place at the All-Ireland."

Fleadh Cheoil Mhumhan (Munster Fleadh Cheoil)

"A traditional boat festival in the heartland of Connemara's Gaeltacht at Rosmuc, featuring currach racing on the waterways that inspired Patrick Pearse and remain central to Irish maritime and linguistic heritage."

Féile na mBád Rosmuc

"A five-day, family-friendly village festival set against the colourful backdrop of Sneem on the Ring of Kerry, mixing live music, crafts, sports, funfair rides, and genuine community spirit."

Sneem Summer Festival

"A living calendar custom drawing pilgrims each year on the feast of St Fiacra to his holy well on the edge of the Westmeath village, continuing an unbroken pattern of devotion and rural community gathering."

St Fiacra's Well Pilgrimage

"A five-day, family-friendly community festival in the colourful Ring of Kerry village of Sneem, with raft races, guided walks, and children's entertainment woven into village life."

Sneem Family Festival

"A three-night community music festival held in one of County Sligo's smallest villages, bringing Irish and European acts to a stage run entirely by local volunteers since 2019."

Ballygawley Music Festival

"Ten days of visual art, music, theatre, literature, and a spectacular opening parade transform the market town of Boyle into one of Ireland's premier regional arts destinations each July."

Boyle Arts Festival

"A four-day celebration of guitar music spanning intimate recitals in the medieval nave of Killesk Church at Duncannon and concert evenings in New Ross, drawing Irish and international players across multiple styles."

New Ross Guitar Festival

"Every Thursday evening throughout June and July, the Dungarvan GAA Club throws open its doors for a lively community céilí, keeping the set dancing tradition alive in the Déise heartland."

Summer Céilís at Dungarvan GAA Club

"A community-run, multi-genre outdoor music festival in the heart of the West Donegal Gaeltacht, combining live bands, pop, rock and late-night DJ sets with a family fun day at CLG Ghaoth Dobhair."

Sult Féile

"South Wicklow's own agricultural show, held at Umrigar since 1944 and affiliated with the Irish Shows Association, covering horse classes, sheep, poultry, pets, home industries, arts and crafts, and horticulture in a relaxed community atmosphere."

Carnew and District Agricultural Show

"A beloved village show at Claremount featuring the prestigious Banner Breeders' Championship for Irish Sport Horses, alongside horticulture, indoor craft classes and a warm community atmosphere on the banks of the River Fergus."

Clarecastle Agricultural Show

"A one-day traditional county show held in Riverstown Community Park since 1994, offering over 260 livestock, domestic arts, and junior classes with many qualifying for national finals."

Sligo County Agricultural Show

"An award-winning week-long festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance in Drumshanbo, now in its 36th year, honouring Leitrim piper Joe Mooney with classes, concerts and sessions."

Joe Mooney Summer School

"Billed as Ireland's oldest agricultural show, this one-day Carndonagh event brings together livestock classes, crafts, sheepdog trials, and family entertainment on the Inishowen Peninsula."

Inishowen Agricultural Show

"A centuries-old Gaeltacht pilgrimage to St Mac Dara's island by currach and Galway hooker culminates in thrilling traditional boat races and a céilí on the shores of South Connemara."

Féile Mhic Dara

"Coastal rowing beach sprints held in the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht village of Ring on Waterford's coastline, part of the national coastal rowing series organised by Rowing Ireland."

Ring Beach Sprints League

"Hundreds of kites fill the Atlantic sky above Keel Beach as professional fliers, kite-making workshops and crowd competitions bring all ages together on one of Achill's most spectacular strands."

Mayo International Kite Festival

"A beloved open-air weekend market in Con Smith Park bringing together 50-plus local food producers, crafters, artists, and live musicians to celebrate the best of County Cavan."

Summer Cottage Market

"A summer festival set within the sweeping lakeside gardens of Belvedere House, combining horticultural displays, artisan markets, and family entertainment at one of Westmeath's finest Georgian estates on Lough Ennell."

Belvedere Garden Festival

"A spectacular display of Galway hookers and currachs racing off the Carna shore, held as part of the Féile Mhic Dara maritime celebrations in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht."

Carna Regatta

"An open-air food and craft celebration in Con Smith Park that spotlights the best of Cavan's local producers, artisan food makers and craftspeople across a summer weekend."

Taste of Cavan

"A traditional one-day Connemara show featuring Connemara ponies, cattle, sheep, a pet parade, arts and crafts, and live Irish music at the community field in Ballyconneely."

Ballyconneely Agricultural Show

"A long-established annual show held at the showgrounds on the Kilrickle Road outside Loughrea, bringing together farming classes, livestock displays, and community entertainment for all ages."

Loughrea Agricultural Show

"A beloved rural show on the edge of Clew Bay bringing together equestrian competition, livestock classes, and community spirit in one of Mayo's most scenic coastal villages."

Louisburgh Horse and Pony Show

"One of Connemara's largest pony shows, attracting over 200 entries of the celebrated Connemara Pony breed to this coastal village, with a dog show, craft fair and bonny baby competition alongside the judging ring."

Ballyconneely Pony Show

"Pilgrims gather at the seventh-century monastic ruins of St Moling for the rounds at the holy well and graveyard prayers, keeping alive one of the great medieval pilgrimages of Leinster."

St Mullins Pattern Day

"A practical field day on a working Tipperary beef farm where farmers can walk the land and engage directly with Teagasc researchers on labour-efficient dairy-beef systems, grassland management, animal health, and water quality practices."

Tipperary Dairy Calf to Beef Demonstration Farm Open Day

"Now in its 32nd year, this intimate four-day gathering in a small Wexford village pub draws a loyal following with a mix of traditional, folk, roots, and Americana music across a long July weekend."

Annual Phil Murphy Weekend of Music

"Now in its 13th year, this intimate chamber music festival performs in three historic Boyne Valley venues including Townley Hall, Slane Castle and Drogheda's St Peter's Church, themed this year around Forgotten Spaces."

Boyne Music Festival

"A celebratory weekend festival at Castlecoote House honouring Roscommon-born songwriter and entertainer Percy French, featuring concerts, comedy, and outdoor performances in a historic estate setting."

Percy French Festival

"A boutique music and arts weekend that transforms the tiny village of Emo into a walkable festival site, mixing Britpop and indie legends with Irish trad and folk on multiple stages under the forest skyline."

Forest Fest Music & Arts Festival

"A riverside festival in the Shannon-side village of Banagher that takes its name from the old Irish expression, mixing music, community events and Shannon waterway celebrations over a summer weekend."

That Beats Banagher Festival

"A long-standing pattern festival rooted in the parish's holy well tradition, Brideswell's last-July-weekend gathering brings together live music, heritage walks, arts and crafts, sport, and family fun for a genuine community celebration."

Brideswell Pattern Festival

"A Penal-Mass holy well site above Lough Gill hosts three days of open-air prayer, Mass, and reflection each July under the theme of Hope, maintaining an unbroken tradition of Garland Sunday devotion."

Tobernalt Holy Well Annual Celebrations

"One of Ireland's oldest unbroken pattern-day traditions, drawing pilgrims to St Declan's holy well for eve-of-feast prayer vigil and traditional rounds at the site of the earliest Christian settlement in the southeast."

Pattern Day of St Declan, Ardmore

"A four-day community revival of the pre-Christian harvest festival at the foot of Mount Brandon, blending a Domhnach Crom Dubh pilgrimage to the summit with sheep shearing, a blessing of the boats at Brandon Pier, fancy dress, and traditional music."

Féile Lúghnasa, Cloghane agus Baile an Ghóilín

"One of Ireland's most continuously observed Garland Sunday traditions, Tobernalt Holy Well on the shores of Lough Gill draws pilgrims from dawn for outdoor Mass, anointing of the sick, and processions rooted in the ancient Lughnasa custom of visiting sacred wells."

Garland Sunday at Tobernalt Holy Well

"Now in its 23rd year, this nine-day county-wide festival opens at Arboretum Leighlinbridge and takes in historic estates, woodland gardens and walled gardens across the Carlow Garden Trail, with acclaimed designers and gardeners from Ireland and the UK delivering talks, tours and workshops."

Carlow Garden Festival

"A traditional one-day agricultural show in the shadow of Nephin mountain, showcasing livestock, home produce, and rural crafts at the heart of North Mayo's farming community."

Crossmolina Agricultural Show

"Running annually since 1988 and named Best Irish Festival 2024, this week-long community celebration fills Castlerea with open-air concerts, parades, markets, and the crowning of the Rose of Castlerea."

Castlerea Rose Festival

"Revived in 1995, this Dingle Peninsula community festival marks the ancient harvest feast with music, sheep shearing, a blessing of the boats at Brandon Pier, and a pilgrimage to the summit of Mount Brandon."

Féile Lúghnasa, Cloghane agus Baile an Bhóthair

"Dating to the 1890s, this spectacular two-day regatta on Bertraghboy Bay brings Galway hookers, gleoiteógs, and racing currachs racing beneath the Twelve Bens in one of the oldest traditional sea festivals in the west of Ireland."

Roundstone Regatta

"Now in its 148th year, this entirely volunteer-run festival celebrates Wicklow Town's seafaring heritage with golly fishing, rowing races, raft races and live music across the harbour and town."

Wicklow Regatta Festival

"A ten-day Gaeltacht pageant and arts festival held since 1967 in the Rosses, drawing over 45,000 visitors with concerts, parades, traditional Irish music sessions and the internationally recognised Mary From Dungloe selection."

Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival

"A ten-day county-wide outdoor arts festival staging sculpture, painting, and performance in public spaces across Wexford, bringing contemporary Irish art directly into streets, harbours, and open landscapes."

Wexford Art in the Open Festival

"Pilgrims walk the ancient 30-kilometre Tóchar Phádraig route from Ballintubber Abbey westward to Croagh Patrick, following the very path used by the Kings of Connacht to the holy mountain since the Iron Age."

Tóchar Phádraig Reek Saturday Pilgrimage Walk

"A Wild Atlantic Way food celebration on Queen Maeve Square where celebrity chef demos, world-class local oysters, craft beer and live music fill a vibrant open-air weekend."

Taste of Sligo Food Festival

"Revived in 1995, this Dingle Peninsula community festival unites the villages of Cloghane and Brandon with music, drama, a fancy dress parade, boat blessing at Brandon Pier, and a Crom Dubh Sunday pilgrimage to the summit of Mount Brandon."

Féile Lúghnasa Cloghane agus Baile Breanainn

"A community-run country show at Knockmoylan featuring show jumping, dog classes, Macra na Feirme sporting contests and live music in the south Kilkenny countryside."

Castlegannon Show

"One of Ireland's oldest agricultural shows, founded in 1898, bringing livestock competitions, vintage machinery, a truck show, and the famous tractor pull to the Coolfin showgrounds outside Rathdowney."

Ossory Agricultural Show

"A lively outdoor afternoon festival held in the shadow of the Devil's Bit mountain at Killoskehane, Borrisoleigh, combining live music, food and local devilment for its fourth year running."

Devil's Bit Music Festival

"A beloved Connemara beach racing tradition held on the sands of Aillebrack near Ballyconneely, where horses and ponies have raced on this Atlantic shoreline for well over a century."

Errismore Horse and Pony Races

"Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026, this traditional one-day show in the heart of County Cavan features seven livestock categories, home industries and a big-screen All-Ireland football final."

Arva Agricultural Show

"A beloved week of trad workshops, céilís and sessions on the wild Atlantic island of Achill, connecting generations of musicians in one of Ireland's most dramatic landscapes."

Scoil Acla Summer School

"Up to 25,000 pilgrims climb Ireland's holiest mountain barefoot on the last Sunday of July, continuing an unbroken Lughnasa-rooted tradition traced to at least the 12th century."

Reek Sunday Pilgrimage, Croagh Patrick

"One of Ireland's oldest surviving pattern days, pilgrims perform the rounds at St Declan's holy well on the Sunday nearest his feast day, a custom documented continuously since at least 1611."

Ardmore Pattern Day, Patrún Naomh Declán

"Pilgrims gather at Tobernalt holy well outside Sligo town on Garland Sunday to perform the traditional rounds, a practice that shifted from Keash Hill to this wooded well site in living memory."

Tobernalt Holy Well, Garland Sunday Pilgrimage

"A specialist breed show at Mullingar Equestrian Centre celebrating the hardy Connemara pony, drawing breeders and enthusiasts from across the midlands for a day of showing, competitions, and rural tradition."

Midlands Connemara Pony Show

"A week-long traditional music and cultural summer school on Achill Island, established in 1910 and revived in 1985, offering tuition in instruments, Irish language (Gaeilg' Acla), sean-nós song, dance, and visual art at the Atlantic edge of Mayo."

Scoil Acla Scoil Samhraidh

"In the wild Maumturk Mountains of Connemara, thousands gather at the remote mountain pass of Mám Éan on Reek Sunday for Mass, rounds at St Patrick's Well, and offerings at a hawthorn tree in one of Connacht's most atmospheric outdoor patterns."

Turas Mháim Éan (Mám Éan Pilgrimage)

"A Neolithic hilltop sacred to Diarmuid and Gráinne hosts a lively afternoon of Lughnasa customs including a King of the Hill run, bouncy castles, a dog show, and the ancient tradition of climbing Keshcorran."

Keshcorran Garland Sunday

"A beloved West Cork village festival centred on its working harbour, with regatta racing, street races, pillow fights, the greasy pole, swimming competitions and nightly music across the Bank Holiday week."

Courtmacsherry Harbour Festival

"Held each August Bank Holiday week in the heritage village where Turlough O'Carolan is buried, this internationally acclaimed festival weaves harp competitions, summer school tuition, céilís, and the legendary Door Dancing Competition into eight days of living Irish tradition."

O'Carolan Harp Festival & Summer School

"A week-long Irish traditional music fleadh centred on Áislann Chill Chartha in the Gaeltacht village of Kilcar, featuring daily workshops, street sessions and major concerts."

Fleadh Cheoil Chill Chartha

"A nine-day village celebration in Georgian Durrow where hundreds of creative scarecrows occupy every nook and cranny, culminating in the All-Ireland Scarecrow Championship with a prize fund of EUR3,000."

Durrow Scarecrow Festival

"A patron-day currach racing festival on the largest of the Aran Islands, keeping alive the island's deep seafaring tradition on one of the Atlantic's most dramatic coastlines."

Pátrún Inis Mór Currach Races

"The world's oldest folk festival of its genre, now in its 49th year, brings headline concerts, street sessions, and talent competitions to Ballyshannon over four days on the banks of the Erne."

Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival

"A long-running summer arts and community festival centred on the handsome 19th-century Market House in Gorey, bringing theatre, music, and street performance to one of Wexford's most characterful market towns."

Gorey Market House Festival

"One of Ireland's longest-running community arts festivals, filling historic Birr with visual arts, street theatre, a vintage vehicle parade, antique fairs, a donkey derby and fireworks for a full week."

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival

"A beloved August Bank Holiday country and Irish music festival under canvas in Drumlish, immortalised in song by local legend Declan Nerney, drawing crowds from across Ireland for dancing, comedy, and community spirit."

The Marquee in Drumlish

"A multi-day celebration in Ireland's biggest whitefish port on the Beara Peninsula, mixing live music, seafood, family activities and maritime heritage against the backdrop of Bantry Bay."

Castletownbere Festival of the Sea

"A milestone 30th edition of Clones's beloved coarse angling competition, drawing match fishermen from across Ireland to the waterways surrounding Lough Muckno."

Clones Coarse Angling Festival

"An outdoor country and contemporary music festival in St Mary's Park, Castleblayney, bringing live headline acts to the lakeside town each summer."

Fogfest Castleblayney Music Festival

"Now in its 47th year, this ten-day coastal celebration on the Aughrus Peninsula weaves together the Cleggan Regatta, seafood, live music, kayaking, and family events across Connemara's most remote Atlantic headland."

Cleggan and Claddaghduff Festival of the Sea

"A boutique multi-arts festival set on the historic Curraghmore Estate in rural County Waterford, combining music across multiple stages with arts, comedy and woodland walks on a working country estate."

All Together Now

"Named in honour of the legendary Sligo fiddle master James Morrison, this village festival in Riverstown celebrates the distinctive East Sligo fiddle tradition with sessions, concerts and workshops run by the local Comhaltas branch."

James Morrison Traditional Music Festival

"A weekend of harp concerts, workshops, competitions and heritage tours in the tiny Co. Meath birthplace of blind harper and composer Turlough O'Carolan."

O'Carolan Harp, Cultural and Heritage Festival

"A 47-year-old coastal community festival on the Aughrus Peninsula blending the Cleggan Regatta, legendary seafood buffet, shore walks, arts workshops, and traditional music across the villages of Cleggan and Claddaghduff."

Festival of the Sea (Féile na Mara)

"An annual August Bank Holiday fixture on Rush's North Beach combining world-class aerobatics over the Irish Sea with artisan food markets, heritage boat displays, and live music in a free, community-driven coastal celebration."

Rush Harbour Festival and Fingal Air Show

"One of Ireland's longest-running regattas, held since 1886 on the River Barrow through Graiguenamanagh every August Bank Holiday weekend."

Graiguenamanagh River Regatta

"A community-run music, comedy and culture weekend staged in the intimate ruins of Cullohill Castle, brought to life by Cullohill Community Council with support from Laois County Council."

Folly Festival

"A beloved one-day agricultural show in the coastal village of Grange dating back to 1945, showcasing livestock, homecrafts, fruits and vegetables against the backdrop of north Sligo's drumlin scenery."

North Sligo Agricultural Show

"A community-led nine-day festival in the cathedral town of Ballaghaderreen bringing together local art exhibitions, street performances, and traditional music sessions across the August bank holiday period."

Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival

"Traditional currach racing day held on the remote Connemara island-peninsula of Lettermullen, a genuine community gathering that preserves the ancient rowing culture of the west Galway coast."

Féile Cuigéal Currach Races

"Held at Stradbally Hall by the Irish Steam Preservation Society, this August Bank Holiday gathering showcases working steam engines, traction engines, oil engines, vintage tractors, and traditional crafts over three days, with a steam and vintage parade through the village square."

National Steam Rally

"A weekend festival on the small inhabited island of Inishbiggle off the north coast of Achill, celebrating island community and Atlantic heritage in one of Mayo's most remote settings."

Féile Inis Bigil

"A community week of street music, markets and entertainment in Mullingar centred on the quirky annual bachelor competition judged by celebrity panels."

Westmeath Bachelor Festival

"Ireland's largest fishing port hosts its annual summer street festival celebrating fish catches from the deep-water harbour, culminating in the traditional Blessing of the Boats ceremony."

Killybegs Seafood Festival and Blessing of the Boats

"One of south Mayo's flagship summer shows, bringing together livestock judging, equestrian events, home produce, and trade stands for a full family day in the market town of Claremorris."

Claremorris Agricultural Show

"A two-day traditional agricultural show set in one of Donegal's most remote and scenic Gaeltacht valleys, celebrating rural life with livestock classes, home industries, and community competitions."

Glencolmcille Agricultural Show

"A traditional currach racing day on the wild Atlantic coast of west Clare, part of the all-island Rásaí na gCurrach season and a rare chance to see canvas currachs racing in open coastal waters."

An Dún Beag Currach Races

"An offshore coastal rowing endurance regatta based in one of Ireland's busiest fishing ports on the Beara Peninsula, drawing club crews from across Munster for long-course competition on open Atlantic water."

Castletownbere Endurance Regatta

"A family-favourite equestrian show in the heart of Connemara, with classes for colts, fillies, and mares alongside a dog show in the scenic surroundings of Cashel Bay."

Cashel Show

"Tide-dependent horse races run entirely on the tidal sands of Omey Strand, a spectacular Atlantic beach where the course itself disappears beneath the waves when the event ends."

Omey Races

"Revived in 1979, this ancient mountain-pass pilgrimage in the Maumturk Mountains draws communities from both sides of the hills to St Patrick's Bed, a holy well, and a Mass Rock, exactly as they did at Lughnasa for centuries."

Máméan Pilgrimage (Lúnasa Pattern)

"One of Leinster's most beloved agricultural shows, running since 1935 and drawing over 15,000 visitors to Fairwood Park each August Bank Holiday Monday for livestock, horses, home industries, crafts and live country music."

Tinahely Agricultural Show

"A free annual medieval fair set inside the walled grounds of the 13th-century St. Mary's Collegiate Church in Youghal, bringing costumed displays, crafts and living history to one of Ireland's best-preserved walled towns."

Youghal Medieval Festival

"A 140-plus-year-old show always held on August Bank Holiday Monday in Nenagh, combining livestock and showjumping competitions with a dog show, horticultural displays, arts and crafts and one of Ireland's leading showjumping qualifying events."

North Tipperary Agricultural Show

"A small, community-run rural show in the Rosses district of Donegal, one of seven government-funded agricultural shows in the county keeping the tradition of the meitheal alive."

Meenacross Show

"One of County Monaghan's flagship one-day agricultural shows, held at the Castleblayney Showgrounds with equestrian classes, cattle competitions and local artisan food stalls."

Castleblayney Agricultural Show

"North Mayo's quintessential Bank Holiday Monday gathering draws over 30,000 people to 200 acres of dedicated showgrounds in the small village of Bonniconlon, with a prize fund of up to €60,000 across livestock, equestrian, and trade stand classes."

Bonniconlon Agricultural Show and Gymkhana

"An annual one-day country show in the traditional weaving town of Ardara, showcasing livestock, horsemanship, home industries, and arts and crafts against the backdrop of the Blue Stack Mountains."

Ardara Agricultural Show

"Now in its 57th year, Donegal's premier agricultural show in Clonmany combines livestock classes, sheepdog trials, the Taste of Inishowen food element, and the North West Shearing Championships across two days."

Clonmany Agricultural Show

"A surviving pattern day on the Mayo-Roscommon border, held at Urlaur on the feast of St Dominic, drawing local families and community in a centuries-old devotional gathering at the holy well."

Pattern of Urlaur, Kilmovee

"A fun 32 km charity cycle open to all ages that winds from Roundstone village through the otherworldly Connemara bog road to Ballyconneely and back, finishing with music, awards, and community celebration."

Tour de Bog

"Now in its 39th year, this intimate East Clare village festival draws world-class traditional musicians for a week of concerts, workshops in fiddle, concertina and accordion, céilí dances and lively pub sessions."

Feakle International Traditional Music Festival

"One of Ireland's longest-running regattas, celebrating Greencastle's deep seafaring heritage on Lough Foyle with punt races, a Blessing of the Fleet, the George Meenan Cup, a net-mending competition and five days of live music."

Greencastle Regatta and Festival