You don’t have to be a genius to recognise that Ireland is the ultimate Festivals Nation. We love that tribal spirit, the unique feeling that comes from people descending in their thousands on a special location, and letting it all hang out together there.

And the year ahead is looking particularly busy and buzzing, with a whole plethora of major festivals, bacchanalian weekends, special gatherings, niche events, full of rock, dance, hip hop, and a whole lot more besides all clamouring for our attention – with music, movies, literary, spoken word, food, lifestyle and other enthusiasms, disciplines and arts all on the agenda in different mixes, degrees and balances.

As of yet, the line-ups are only coming together, including for Ireland’s biggest and best, Electric Picnic – but coming together they are! Which means that the complete calendar of activities – at that very sweet spot when we’ve got the real low-down that counts – will need a whole Hot Press special issue-focus unto itself! That, of course, is what it will get from your favourite, friendly Festivals Magazine!

The Hot Press Festivals Special Issue will hit the streets on April 23. Put that date in your diary now. You’ve got a whole summer’s music to get very excited about! Meantime, in alphabetical order, here’s some ‘elongated festival’ dates to note:

IVEAGH GARDENS Aslan July 3, Fontaines D.C. July 4, 2FM Live With Jenny Greene And RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra July 5, Damien Dempsey July 10, Caribou July 11, James Blunt July 12, Pixies July 18, Sinéad O’Connor July 19

LIVE AT THE MARQUEE The Coronas May 29, Nathan Carter May 31, Sinéad O’Connor June 5, A Woman’s Heart Orchestrated June 7, The National June 8, Dido June 10, Orbital June 20, Cat Stevens June 24, Diana Ross June 25, 2FM Live With Jenny Greene And RTÉ Concert Orchestra June 26, Christy Moore June 27, Crowded House June 29

MALAHIDE CASTLE The Killers June 16 & 17, Lewis Capaldi June 20, Gerry Cinnamon June 21, Dermot Kennedy June 26, Picture This June 27

TRINITY SUMMER SERIES Haim June 30, Crowded House July 1, Keane July 2, Walking On Cars July 3, The Specials July 4.