Ireland — Events
Temple Bar Trad - Irish Music and Culture Festival
January 26, 2012 - January 30, 2012
This is Dublin’s premier celebration of traditional Irish music and culture. For five days and nights, Temple Bar in the heart of the city, comes alive to the sound of jigs and reels from the many pubs and cultural centers in the area. Nowhere else in the city do audiences get the chance to see masters of the tradition perform up close in small intimate venues. With live music concerts, pub sessions, workshops, children’s events, festival club and much much more, prepare for a barrage of flutes, accordions, bodhráns, mighty sessions and great craic!
Bray Jazz Festival
March 31, 2012 - May 30, 2012
With a great blend of local bands and performers from all corners of the globe, this festival oozes cool and attracts passionate crowds from all over Ireland. During the weekend event, over 150 acts perform on a program that is nothing if not eclectic with past performers ranging from the Bagdaddies, with their high energy dance floor grooves, to the more traditional sounds of popular Irish band, Zrazy. The first Bray Jazz Festival was held in 2000 and has been entertaining large crowds of music lovers and jazz aficionados ever since.
Galway Early Music Festival
April 30, 2012 - May 30, 2012
This is an exciting international event that celebrates the culture of Europe from the 12th to the 18th centuries through authentic music, dance, costume and color set in the medieval city of Galway. Held over a long weekend, the festival’s is to interest and entertain an ever-increasing audience in the music and dance of the medieval, renaissance and baroque periods of history through a series of concerts, workshops and masterclasses.
Castlebar Blues Festival
April 30, 2012 - June 29, 2012
Putting on a great show at various venues throughout the parish of Castlebar, the festival is sure to get those hips swaying and feet tapping at acoustic and electric blues performances. Held over the June Bank Holiday weekend, this fun festival attracts performers and music lovers from all over Ireland. And sponsored by that most sacred of Irish drinks, festival goers can expect plenty of pints of Guinness to accompany the music.
Wicklow Gardens Festival
May 31, 2012 - June 29, 2012
Each summer, public and private gardens in County Wicklow (as well as some in the neighboring counties of Carlow, Dublin and Wexford) open their doors to showcase their outstanding natural beauty and diversity. Over 40 gardens take part with each one offering something unique for the visitor. The festival provides a great opportunity to see some of Wicklow’s magnificent parks and gardens with gardening enthusiasts and garden owners able to rub shoulders and share tips and advice.
Innishannon Steam and Vintage Rally
May 31, 2012 - June 29, 2012
This rally was originally created to promote heritage machinery of all classes at work and to provide a suitable venue for vintage enthusiasts to display their machines, as well as allowing the general public to view rare agricultural and mechanical treasures from the past. The exhibits include huge tractors, threshers, unique cars, motorbikes, oil and steam engines as well as experiencing a working forge.
County Wexford Strawberry Fair
May 31, 2012 - June 29, 2012
In a festival dedicated to the wonderful world of strawberries, the whole town comes together for a weekend of entertainment and celebrations. Events take place around the band-stand in Market Square in the center of Enniscorthy with live music, drama, food markets and plenty of children’s entertainment including a fun fair. One lucky lady is also voted as the fair’s Strawberry Queen, an honor that is bestowed upon her until the following year’s festival.
Eigse Carlow Arts Festival
May 31, 2012 - June 29, 2012
Not for the faint hearted, the festival kicks off at the weekend with a spectacular fireworks display, followed by 10 days of non-stop dancing, comedy, drumming, music, art, poetry, craft, workshops plus an abundance of food and drink, all carefully planned to give maximum enjoyment to all the festival visitors. There are circus and street entertainments performed all over the town of Carlow with special drama and musical shows for children throughout the day. And for the adults, there are art exhibitions and poetry readings to accompany all the wonderful music and dancing.
West Cork Chamber Music Festival
May 31, 2012 - July 30, 2012
Music has always been a popular art form in Ireland and in 1995 the West Cork Chamber Music Festival was established to promote classical music throughout the area. A strong community atmosphere pervades the festival which takes place over 16 days with over 50 concerts and 70 musicians from over 20 countries performing live. There is also a literary festival as well as a fine art exhibition which complement the main musical activities.
Bandon Music Festival
May 31, 2012 - June 29, 2012
This festival caters for true lovers of traditional and contemporary Irish music. Created in 1997, sponsored by Guinness and the Bandon Vintners, the event has grown into a great musical celebration attracting the top artists from all over the country. As well as the outdoor concerts, the Guinness Music Trail takes place on each night of the festival in participating pubs and bars with a mixture of traditional, folk and rock sessions. The town of Bandon, 32km (20 miles) outside Cork and known as the gateway to picturesque West Cork, was founded in 1604 and is famous for its brewing.
