Culture
04 Aug 19

Best Festivals To Plan A Weekend Break Around: Fleadh CheoIl na hÉireann

Ireland is renowned for its brilliant festivals, with dozens of intriguing events - covering all sorts of cultural, historical and musical activities - taking place throughout the year. We take a look at some superb festivals to plan a weekend break around...

Fleadh CheoIl na hÉireann (Ireland’s Ancient East)
11th -18th August
Drogheda, Co. Louth
Fleadhcheoil.ie

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is one of Ireland’s great festivals, where musicians of the highest calibre gather, meet and play together in concerts and sessions alike. In recent years, the numbers attending have mushroomed. The 2018 line-up included Bill Whelan, Damien Dempsey, Zoe Conway, Kieran Hanrahan, Frankie Gavin, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and dozens more Irish and international acts, with a staggering 500,000 descending on the historic town of Drogheda. The festival returns to the Co. Louth town this year, for what is sure to be a marvellous week-long jamboree of music, song and dance. The full seven-day schedule has yet to be announced, but rest assured: it’ll be jam-packed with great music and good vibes.

• While You’re in the Area

Stop by St. Peter’s Church, a French gothic structure, wherein lies the head of Oliver Plunkett, the last victim of the so called Popish Plot, in 1681. If you’re looking for something a bit more outdoorsy, Beaulieu House and Gardens – overlooking the Boyne River – is a beautiful gem, offering fantastic scenery and a real feast for the senses. For food, try the award-winning bar and grill, Eastern Seaboard (Bryanstown Centre), which emphasises seasonality and local produce. Plus, there’s so much to do exploring the Boyne Valley that you just have to get stuck in!

Brought to you by Discover Ireland