Add these events to your summer calendar to embrace the fun, educational and quirky of Ireland.
The sun is up, the rain has (hopefully) lessened, how can you make the most of your Irish home? You can tour ruined castles, take leisurely walks that involve a little less mud, enjoy dips and surfs in the Atlantic. But if you’re looking for some extra summertime excitement, we’ve compiled a list of unmissable events taking place over the next couple of months. Discover celebrated oysters, dancers, lovers and more…
Galway International Arts Festival
Date: 15 – 18th July 2024
A street performer in Galway.
Named the one of the top five summer festivals in Europe by The Guardian, The Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) is a multi-disciplinary festival featuring Irish and international performers. In 2023, it featured over 600 performances in 32 venues over 14 days with over 400,000 attendees. From the Pixies to Elvis Costello to Radiohead, it attracts famous and up-and-coming faces. You can see theatre, music, visual arts, opera, dance and more.
Paddy Power Comedy Festival
Date: 25 – 28th July
With the likes of Irish comedy legends like Dara O’Brian, Tommy Tiernan and Jason Byrne due to perform this year, the Paddy Power Comedy Festival is likely to be a hoot.
Download the expat’s guide to living affordably overseas.
Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival
Date: 2 – 10th August 2024
In 1968, the festival celebrated Offlay town’s Georgian heritage. Today, this family-friendly festival is made up of creative workshops, visual arts, theatre, antiques, moonlit movies and more.
Puck Fair
Date: 10 – 12th August 2024
King Puck.
Dating back to the Gaelic calendar, Puck Fair is the oldest fair in Ireland. It crowns a mountain goat as “King Puck” and a celebration of live music, street food, carnival rides and a midnight firework display ensue.
The Big Grill, Dublin
Date: 22 – 25th August 2024
Europe’s largest BBQ & food festival takes place in Dublin’s charming Herbert Park. Bring a big appetite to this event with stalls, tastings, breweries, and live demos from the best local and international chefs. Plus, taste your ability to hack the heat at the riveting chili competition.
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
Date: 1 – 30th September 2024
You may have fallen head over heels for Ireland, and at the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, you could fall head over heels for a person there too. It will give you even more reason to make the country home. For a month, singles from all over the world head to the small village of Lisdoonvarna on Ireland’s stunning Wild Atlantic Way. An idyllic setting for falling in love. It is totally different from online dating – appreciate Irish ‘craic’, dance to live music and meet Ireland’s only traditional matchmaker Wille Daly.
Listowel International Storytelling festival
Date: 19 – 22nd September
Ireland is known the world over for having a way with words, this festival, initiated by the Kerry Writers’ Museum, celebrates the art of storytelling. Enjoy a drink, chatter and spoken word, poetry and hearty ballads.
Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival
Tuck in!
Date: 27 – 29th September 2024
An Irish festival so renowned it is perhaps only second to St Patrick’s Day in fame, the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival dates back to 1954. And it is your opportunity to taste the Atlantic. Indulge in oyster tastings, enjoy craft wine and beer, watch cooking tutorials and hear live music.
* Dates are correct for 2024 and maybe be different in other years.
Finally, you might also like:
