Who needs to go abroad when we have so many great places to escape to right on our doorstep. Ireland is one of the best places in Europe for our range of diverse festivals. Why not pack up the car, grab some friends or the family and broaden your music tastes at these great music festivals?

West Cork Chamber Music Festival
Bantry House and St. Brendan's Church
27 June - 05 July 2014

Music lovers from all over the world make the annual pilgrimage to Bantry to check out the The West Cork Chamber Music Festival. With over 100 international musicians descending on Cork to perform thirty six concerts in the beautiful settings of Bantry House and St. Brendan's church this is a great festival to check out over the summer. This year will see the Danish Quartet, RTE Vanbrugh Quartet, Alban Gerhardt, Alina Ibragimova, Zemlinsky Quartet, Philippe Cassard, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Carolin Widmann, Nurit Stark, Concerto Copenhagen, Lise Berthaud, Andreas Brantelid, Maria Keohane, Lawrence Power, Cedric Pescia, Gregana Gergova and Jose Gallardo all perfrom over the week long festival. Morning talks, a violin making exhibition and young musician master classes also run throughout the week.

Westport Music and Food Festival
Westport House, Westport, Co Mayo
28 - 29 June 2014

Westport Festival of Music and Food is an annual two-day celebration of music and food, embracing the very best local and international rock, folk, Celtic and acoustic sounds across multiple stages. This year Bryan Adams, David Gray, The Divine Comedy, Bell X1, Sinead O' Connor, Shane Filan, Little Green Cars are just some of the acts taking to the stage over the weekend. The event promises a relaxed and friendly vibe, first class festival facilities and the finest local food and refreshments. You can also bring the little ones along to this as families will be able to enjoy the Cannonball Run Slide, the Pirates Swinging Ship and Plunge Ride, plus the gorgeous Swan Pedaloe Boats, bouncy castles, the Westport House Express miniature train ride and many more fun festival activities!

New Ross Piano Festival
St. Mary's Church, New Ross
25 - 28 September 2014

The New Ross Piano Festival is becoming widely known for its mix of outstanding performances by international pianists and its intimate friendly atmosphere both in St. Mary's Church, which has a greatly praised acoustic, and in the town of New Ross itself. The programmes contain an exciting balance between familiar works and less-well known music from all periods.

 

Americana and Roots Music Weekend
01 - 04 August 2014
Greystones, Co. Wicklow

Broaden your tastes at The Greystones Americana and Roots Music Festival features everything from Bluegrass to Rockabilly with a bit of country in between! Enjoy 30 acts, workshops and family entertainment. Past acts have included: I Draw Slow, The Cujo Family, Troy Stewart, Al O' Donnell, The Big Muddy, Niall Toner, The Old Yellers, The Macrae Sisters, Spellbound, Phelim Drew, Gypsy Rebel Rabble and many more.

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
24 - 27 October 2014
Various venues in Cork City

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is an internationally renowned festival where over 1,000 musicians play in 400 sessions at 70 venues - and it is one of the jewels in the crown of Irish festivals. The festival offers something for everyone with a broad range of jazz music styles - from blues to bebop, from Dixieland to swing, from jazz rock to electronica. Many of the most famous names in the jazz world regularly participate in concerts at the city's main theatres. There is also an abundance of fringe events including a Jazz Camp for students, a Jazz Choir, a Singers' Corner and lots of related activity. A perfect reason to get away this summer.

Masters of Tradition
20 - 25 August 2014
Bantry House and St. Brendan's Church

Masters of Tradition is one of Ireland's leading traditional Irish music festivals which Artistic Director Martin Hayes describes as  a 'quiet and intimate space' where the heart of traditional music could be exposed. If this sounds like something you would be interested in make sure you get down to Bantry House and St Brendans Church.The 2014 festival throws open its doors to some of the very best musicians in the land.

 

These are just some of the great things to do in Ireland. For all these and more make sure to download the This is Living Facebook app or visit the discoverireland website.