Whether you’re looking forward to Oxegen and Electric Picnic or moaning because you missed out on tickets, the huge range of music festivals in Ireland this summer means you won’t have to go without.
The festive among you are spoiled for choice this year with musical events taking place all over the country, from June to September.
For those who like their luxuries, Rock Crew (July 6-7) in the gardens of Loughcrew House and Gardens, Co. Meath, offers gig-goers a bit of comfort.
“It’s a well-established venue,” says organiser Ron Matthews. “It’s fully sheltered, so even if it rains people are not going to get muddy feet.”
Between bands, dry-footed punters can feast on everything from beer to sushi at a host of food and drink bars.
Rock Crew is great, Ron says, because: “it doesn’t matter if it rains, it’s going to go ahead anyway”.
Other bonuses include the cheap tickets, just €20 for the whole weekend, and free local parking.
If you’re thinking of heading to Rock Crew there are two bands you have to see, Ron suggests: the “absolutely brilliant” Henry McCullough, former lead guitarist from Paul McCartney’s Wings, and Cavan-man Barry McCabe who supported Rory Gallagher on his final European tour.
Other Irish acts playing include harmonica legend Don Baker, Skid Row founder Brush Shiels and prolific roots and blues artist Dermot Blues Byrne. The Kambourines, from Norway, are also taking to the stage over the weekend, along with the internationally successful Bagatelle.
For the more traditional fan, Longford’s Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival is a safe bet.
The event is not just for banjo enthusiasts, but all lovers of traditional Irish and American music. The four days of revelry take place between Thursday 13 and Sunday 16 September.
Chris Keenan, the organiser, says the event presents an exceptional mix of music genres.
“It’s a unique festival. We bring together Irish and American musical traditions. It’s an opportunity for traditional Irish music lovers and traditional American music lovers to really get together.”
Over the weekend, venues in Longford town will host a variety of impromptu sessions with Irish trad and American bluegrass musicians jamming together.
Chris counts the Grammy Award-winning National Bluegrass Band and Tim O’Brien among her must-sees, but also says not to miss Guy Clarke. “They call him the Texas troubadour. He’s a brilliant songwriter and performer.”
For Irish trad fans, there are performances from recent Eurovision hopefuls Dervish and sometime Christy Moore collaborator Arty McGlynn.
Visiting acts are also coming from Spain and the Netherlands.
Aside from all the gigs, the weekend offers guests the chance to attend master-classes where, Chris says, people can learn from their idols.
If you prefer guitars to banjos, there’s the always-impressive Waltons Guitar Festival. Running from June 27 to July 1, Ireland’s foremost guitar festival offers visitors a chance to experience some great international acts. And for the more enthusiastic among you, there’s a programme of workshops, master-classes and seminars to feed your guitar obsession.
Director Alec O’Leary, who runs the event with his family, says this year’s festival-goers have a lot to look forward to. The highlight, he says, will be the performance by first-time visitors to Ireland the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet: “They’re Grammy award winners, and play everything from classical to bluegrass to jazz.”
Alec also expects big things from the Joscho Stephan trio from Germany, who specialise in ‘gypsy jazz’ guitar. The trio are ending the event with what Alec expects to be a rocking gig in Dublin’s Sugar Club.
Other acts playing include critically acclaimed acoustic guitarist Clive Carroll, from the UK, the internationally recognised Berta Rojas from Paraguay and the award-winning classical guitarist Aniello Desiderio from Italy.
All music-lovers are welcome, with master-classes available for experts and workshops for the less experienced.
A first this year is a specially commissioned work for three guitars from leading Irish composer Dave Flynn. The piece will be performed on Sunday July 1 by Alec O’Leary, John Feeley and Clive Carroll at a free concert in the Hugh Lane Gallery.
This year Cork plays host to the 3rd annual Clonakilty International Guitar Festival (September 20-23). This weekend of music and guitar-related fun offers gigs aplenty, along with all-age workshops, guitar and photo exhibitions. Hardcore guitar-junkies can even attend seminars on guitar-making in and around the West Cork town.
This year’s line-up includes Preston Reed and Eric Bell of Thin Lizzy, along with local artists Stephen Housden, Bill Shanley, who’s played with Paul Brady and Mary Black, and many more to be confirmed soon. Check out www.clonguitarfest.com for details.
The rest of the line-up will be drawn from the world’s best guitar virtuosos and popular musicians, following on from past appearances by Declan Sinnott, Louis Stewart, Luka Bloom, Declan O’Rourke and Damien Dempsey.
Most of the gigs take place in the pubs of Clonakilty, creating a great buzz around the weekend. Last year’s punters included Paul Brady, who joined a mix of guitar-lovers and music fans to check out the smaller sessions taking place around the town.
The Spraoi Festival in Waterford promises to captivate audiences with as much fun and spectacle as they can fit into a weekend (August Bank Holiday 4-6). The colourful family carnival provides music, outdoor theatre, street art and the Spraoi Parade.
The best thing about Spraoi? It’s totally free. The city of Waterford turns into a festive party zone for the weekend, with around 180,000 visitors last year.
It is unrivalled when it comes to street art, featuring music, theatre, dance, comedy and circus, from both Irish and international acts.
Music is paramount, and Spraoi Drums is an established favourite. The 35-strong percussion group, with members as young as eight, presents workshops and also performs throughout the city. But that’s not all, as Spraoi offers over 400 free gigs on stages indoors and out.
Spraoi also has its own fringe festival. SprÓg is for five to eight year olds, with workshops and exhibitions in dance, puppetry, music and storytelling.
The Spraoi Parade is another favourite. Conceived and produced entirely by Spraoi’s artistic directors, the parade takes place at night, allowing it to benefit from a fantastic display of lights and visual effects.
Expect puppets, beautiful costumes and the kind of visually stunning floats you haven’t seen since Paddy’s Day.
Also expect big crowds. Last year's parade drew over 60,000 spectators along its mile-long route. The festival takes 10 weeks to prepare and over 400 performers to make it work, and trust me, this shows.
For those looking for a little something extra, Castle Palooza offers a chance to see some great international and Irish acts in the intimate setting of Charleville Castle, Co. Offaly on August 4 and 5.
This year's headliners, Sister Sledge, play their first ever gig in Ireland. Also taking to the stage are top Irish acts like The Chapters, Neosupervital, The Chakras and over 30 more.
What makes the event especially unique is the setting: the 17th century castle is not just a fantastic venue for a concert. Gig-goers are also free to wander within the castle rooms. Inside the castle are hidden treats like art exhibitions and surprise performances.
Organiser Cillian Stewart says that’s why Castle Palooza is special: “It’s a festival which supports the restoration of Charleville Castle. Ticket-holders have exclusive access to the castle grounds during this restoration,” he says. “It’s great for punters to wander in and have a look around.”
And with quality camping grounds two minutes walk from the venue, you won’t have to wander far to bed after a day of gigs.
Cillian considers Sister Sledge an unmmissable act at Castle Palooza, but also advises you to check out the smaller acts.
“There’s a band coming over from Glasgow: Frightened Rabbit. They’re very, very good live.”
Other bands worth a look include Mainline, The Gorgeous Colours, Cowboy X, Fight Like Apes, Hooray For Humans, Royseven and The Flaws.
The Mantua Project (July 13-14) provides fans with a little something out of the ordinary. The arts and music event in Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon includes music on three stages, along with two additional tents for DJs, performance artists, film and art installations.
Bands playing at Mantua include the Sultans Of Ping, 65 Days Of Static, Ten Past Seven, Jinx Lennon, The Cedars, The Skatalites, Belleville and Bray Vista.
There’s also a reggae stage with acts like Jah Shaka, Love Grocer, Rootical Sound System and Brother Culture.
And for lovers of electronic music, there’s a stage presented by Irish collective the Alphabet Set, which features a mix of artists from home and abroad, including Digital Mystikz, DJ C, Maga Bo, Decal and Ambulance.
The art installations include Paul Timoney’s ‘Art Cart,’ where visitors can make their own art using his supplies and trade their pieces for the artist’s own work.
There’s also a wide range of films on show in the Project tent, if you can find time for a movie between all the music and art shows. Tickets are €50 from www.mantuaproject.com
And for the independent spirits among you, there’s Cork’s DIY festival Indie-Pendence (August 3-6). Embracing the indie mentality to the full means that this weekend is free, and full to the brim with Irish indie acts. Republic Of Loose, Director, Delorentos, Sultans Of Ping and Ham Sandwich make Indie-Pendence a great place to see some of the best live rock acts in Ireland.
And if you’re not content with that, there are also street performers, pub trails and off-stage gigs.
A new addition this year is the People's Republic Presents showcase, highlighting some great Cork acts like singer/songwriter Bill Coleman, Exit The Street, Exit: Pursued By A Bear, Lerner and Hooray For Humans.
And looking beyond Irish indie, the festival will host a World Music stage, with acts representing the Caribbean, Brazil, Nigeria, Poland and the Congo.
So there’s the proof, you can be festive all summer long if you wish, and maybe keep the party going until September. Go on, treat yourself to all the festive fun of an Irish summer.