Popping Down To Your Local: The Best Local Festivals In Ireland

We've teamed up with Ireland-wide local retailers XL to preview some of the top local festivals this summer.

FÉile Na Bealtaine
Dingle, Kerry, May 2–6
Ringing in summer on the Wild Atlantic Way, Féile na Bealtaine is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019. This community arts festival is a feast of storytelling, song, music, dance, visual arts and literature. On the music front, the superb line-up features Frames man Colm Mac an Iomaire, Patty Griffin, I Have A Tribe and Mick Flannery. In addition, a 10-piece band featuring Pauline Scanlon and The Whileaways will pay tribute to the genius of the late, great Leonard Cohen. http://feilenabealtaine.ie/home/

The “Cup Of Tae” Festival
Ardara, Donegal, May 3–6
Billed as the ‘biggest little traditional festival in Ireland’, The Cup Of Tae festival was created in honour of renowned fiddle player John ‘The Tae’ Gallagher. The Summer School of Music runs throughout the festival, with the world famous Bríd Harper serving as this year’s Master Class Fiddle Tutor. Bríd will also be honoured at the all-star opening concert. There’s free traditional music in the pubs every night, and special guests include the McDonald Traditional Group from Canada, champion mandolin player Caitriona Langan, and singer Greg Blake. http://cupoftaefestival.com/

K-FEST Arts Festival
Killorglin, Kerry, May 31–June 2
A dynamic arts festival with an emphasis on emerging artists, K-FEST magically transforms vacant retail outlets, deserted buildings, and even domestic homes into bespoke pop-up galleries and venues over the June Bank Holiday weekend. Musical highlights for 2019 include Deep Sky Objects, Molly Sterling, Pillow Queens, Post Punk Podge, Bicurious and Just Mustard. https://www.kfest.ie/

Traidphicnic
Spiddal, Galway, July 5–7
Traidphicnic celebrates the vibrant culture and traditions of the Gaeltacht village of Spiddal. All three days of this family-friendly festival are jam-packed with gigs, community arts, crafts, sessions, walks and talks. For a cover fee you can also take part in workshops in music, sean-nós singing, and dance. Headlining the Saturday of this year’s outing are illustrious Irish folk heroes, De Dannan. http://traidphicnic.com/

EaragAIl Arts Festival
Letterkenny, Donegal, July 10–28
Up on the north-west coast of Ireland, Earagail is a bilingual arts festival that boasts a whole 19 days of music, theatre, film, literature, circus and carnival. This year, the festival will include a two-day celebration of music and spoken word, taking place on one of the most stunning destinations along the Wild Atlantic Way, Arranmore Island. Acts already announced include Lankum, Moonlight Benjamin, Joan As Policewoman, and celebrated US comedian Jim Gaffigan. http://www.eaf.ie/

West Cork Literary Festival
Various Venues, West Cork, July 12–19
Now an annual highlight on the Irish literary calendar, the West Cork Literary Festival is a week-long celebration of writing and reading for people of all ages. This year, it has a packed-to-bursting programme, with one of the highlights being An Evening with Mary Robinson. The Irish literati will also be out in force, with appearances from Kevin Barry, John Boyne, Sebastian Barry and Hot Press fave, Tana French. Other notable events include appearances from Tracey Thorn and Graham Norton. http://new.westcorkmusic.ie/literary-festival//

Féile Cloch na Rón Regatta
Roundstone, Galway, July 21 & 22
Taking place off the coast of Roundstone in Connemara, the Féile Cloch na Rón Regatta is an event that displays unique Irish boats, such as currachs and Galway Hookers. The latter is the traditional boat of Galway, built of strong and hardy oak to withstand the rough seas of the Atlantic. The boats are easily recognised by their strong sharp bow and sides that curve outwards. They have one main sail and two foresails all on a single mast. https://www.connemaraireland.com/events/feile-cloch-na-ron-regatta/

Ballyshannon Folk Festival
Ballyshannon, Donegal, August 1–4
The 42nd annual Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Fesitval is the place to be this August Bank Holiday Weekend, as the sounds of traditional and folk music echo from the streets, pubs and marquee concerts along Donegal’s Wild Atlantic Way. This year’s acts include The Stunning, Sharon Shannon Band, Brian Deady, Dave Munnelly Band, Moxie, BackWest, Luka Bloom, Coda, Seamie O’Dowd & Friends – and lots more to be announced. http://ballyshannonfolkfestival.com/

Valentia Island Regatta
Knightstown, Kerry, August 2–5
Each year, a great day of coastal races takes place in the waters off Knightsbridge, the highlight being the Seine Boat Race. This type of boat race is unique to South Kerry and features Seine boats – timber built boats that hold 12 oarsmen and a coxswain, which were commonly used in the last century by fisherman in the Iveragh Peninsula. The races are a true test of strength, endurance and teamwork, and are a great attraction for crowds of supporters and spectators alike. Recommended! http://www.valentiaisland.ie/life-business/history-culture/valentia-island-regatta/

Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival
Moneylea, Cork, August 30–September 1
Cape Clear is Ireland’s southernmost inhabited island, situated eight miles off the coast of Baltimore in West Cork. The island’s International Storytelling Festival is now in its 24th year, and has become one of the most renowned festivals in the world storytelling calendar. Each year, some of the most accomplished tellers from Ireland and around the world gather to spin their yarns, and celebrate the evolution of this ancient art. https://capeclearstorytelling.com/

Shorelines Arts Festival
Portumna, Galway, September 19–22
Like its umbrella organisation Portumna Arts Group, the Shorelines Arts Festival exists to foster the arts in the community and the surrounding area of Lough Derg and the Slieve Aughties. It celebrates the arts in all its various forms, with a particular emphasis on literature, visual arts, drama, music and song. Shorelines also hosts workshops and offers opportunities for all groups within the local community to develop their imagination through the arts. Highlights of last year’s event included literary lunches, folk music aboard a boat on the River Shannon, a blindfolded listening session, and local art exhibitions. One to look forward to! https://www.shorelinesartsfestival.com/

Sneem Storytelling
Sneem, Kerry, November 8–10
Recently the location for Colin Farrell’s 2014 film The Lobster, the quiet, remote town of Sneem is also home to the Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival. Now in its eighth year, the festival breathes life back into the lost tradition of storytelling with a weekend of events, including storytelling concerts, pub–trails and workshops, music, and drama. For good measure, it all takes place against the stunning backdrop of a small town tucked between the mountains and the sea. http://www.sneemstorytellingfestival.com/

Cuisle Chorca Dhuibhne Dingle’s Global Rhythm Festival
Dingle, Kerry, N/A
Dingle’s Global Rhythm Festival is Europe’s most westerly percussion, world music and dance event. It’s jam-packed with workshops and performances, and a huge line-up of other events that take place in this beautiful seaside town on Ireland’s west coast. Last year saw performances from Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Thomas Tettey Annang, Njamy Sitson, and the Underscore Orchestra. http://cuislecd.com/

Féile Lúghnasa
Dingle, Kerry, N/A
Every July, Cloghane celebrates the ancient Celtic harvest festival Lúghnasa with theatre performances and traditional events. Lúghnasa is a Celtic harvest festival that dates back 2,000 years. Revived in 1995, the festival features music, children’s activities and stage dramas, as well as many local traditions – including sheep shearing, a blessing of the boats at Brandon Pier, and a walk to the summit of Mount Brandon. Remember to bring your climbing boots! https://www.facebook.com/feilelughnasa/

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