There's a fab, fun line-up of amazing festivals taking place all over Ireland this summer. To get you in the mood, Discover Ireland and entertainment.ie have put together a little taster of what's in store with our Summer Festivals Video Preview

From colourful street carnivals, great live music, kid's events, panoramic balloon fests, picnics in the park, tall ships, pirate battles, food pavillions and great events covering the length and breadth of the country we hope this lively preview will get you super excited! So watch our video and be inspired. Then get your summer off to a flying start and get planning today with our handy information guide to each festival featured in the video.

Eigse Carlow Arts Festival (Éigse), Carlow town, Co. Carlow (29th May - 7th June 2015)
Carlow Arts Festival (Éigse), now in its 36th year, is an annual 'curiosity carnival' - a platform for street performance, visual art, theatre, live music, children's make-shops, and spoken word. At the heart of the festival lies a celebration of art in all its forms. The 2015 program will include a production of 'Dancing at Lughnasa', a concert by the widely acclaimed Romanian violinist Andrea Bouris, a production of 'Puss-in-Boots' by UK children's theatre company Lingo, and a three day 'Street Carnival' packed with food stalls, pop-up galleries, and street entertainment. Another part of the Carlow Arts Festival takes place in the nearby village of Borris, where the Festival of Writing and Ideas will host PJ Harvey, Lisa Hannigan, Ian McEwan, Michael Harding and around 60 more speakers over the first weekend in June.
Further info on https://www.discoverireland.ie/Whats-On/carlow-arts-festival-eigse-2015/508473

Cork Midsummer Festival; Cork city, Co. Cork (12 - 21 June 2015)
Cork Midsummer Festival is an annual multi-disciplinary arts festival that uses the city as its backdrop and inspiration. It provides high-quality arts events, both national and international, for audiences of all ages. Its programming, supports the development of emerging artists and provides a unique platform for work by local and national artists. The festival reaches out to people of every age, catering for all the family and includes the ever popular Picnic in the Park. Every street is a stage and every wall is a canvas as the festival brings visitors on a journey through this dynamic and exciting city. Cork Midsummer Festival is an exciting, enthralling, entertaining and unmissable experience.
https://www.discoverireland.ie/Whats-On/cork-midsummer-festival/509756

Irish Maritime Festival, Drogheda port, Drogheda, Co. Louth (19 -21 June)
The Irish Maritime Festival 2015 is Ireland's largest maritime festival, held on Ireland's most historic river. Enjoy a weekend filled with tall ships, extreme water sports, river races, aquariums, music, food and lots of family fun! Watch out for the flotilla of dastardly pirate ships sailing up the River Boyne in the ever popular Pirate Battles; look out for the brave swimmers as they battle the currents for glory in the Boyne swim; and see extreme sports on the water. The Ship Showcase sees six sailing vessels on display throughout the weekend and there will be a host of other water activities to enjoy. On-shore activities include a food zone; a Maritime History Pavilion; a funfair; the sand zone; and a music, art and photography zone as well as the buzzing food village.
https://www.discoverireland.ie/Whats-On/irish-maritime-festival-2015/510000

Wexford Maritime Festival, Wexford Quay, Wexford town, Co. Wexford (20-21st June)
Wexford Maritime Festival celebrates Wexford's rich maritime heritage and Wexford-born Commodore John Barry, Father of the US Navy. Free, fun family festival with visiting boats, aircraft, emergency services, model boats, children's activities, artisan food and live entertainment - all overlooking Wexford Harbour. Enjoy watching traditional boats racing along Wexford harbour; or take part in fun raft races, kayaking, canoeing, power boating or try a sub aqua dive. See the visiting boats or be amazed at the fly-boarder soaring through the air. Children can enjoy dance and musical activities, arts and crafts, science workshops, circus workshops and shows at the Children's Village. Discover Wexford's Viking past in the Viking tent where children can try their hand at brass rubbing and sword making. Try the finest of local artisan food in the Wexford Food Village. Relax and enjoy free live music and entertainment on Wexford quay all weekend. The festival finishes with the parade to the Commodore Barry Ceremony. All fundraising events go towards Wexford RNLI Lifeboat.
https://www.discoverireland.ie/Whats-On/wexford-maritime-festival/509775

Galway International Arts Festival, Galway city, Co. Galway (13th - 26th June)
Galway International Arts Festival is a creative collision of performance, music, visual art and discussion. It is one of Ireland's most vibrant and exciting festivals offering a wide range of experiences from world-class theatre to impromptu musical performances on Galway's winding streets. From the all-out party atmosphere at the Festival Big Top to the quiet contemplation in the festival galleries, Galway International Arts Festival transforms the city through the arts in an engaging, fun and authentic way. If you happen to visit Galway during the arts festival, expect to be transformed too! The Festival is special. Worlds, cultures and dreams collide - inspiring passion, creativity and new ways of thinking.
https://www.discoverireland.ie/Whats-On/wexford-maritime-festival/509775

5th Annual Waterford Balloonfest, Waterford city, Co. Waterford (17th - 19th July)
More than a dozen balloonists from around the nation gather for this genuinely unique event which is consistently growing in stature.. There is no entrance fee for the Waterford Balloonfest so bring your family and friends to enjoy the event with you! There will be classic evening balloon glows for Friday and Saturday evenings which are a visitor favourite. New this year, will be the balloonist flight competitions which will highlight the Balloonists' amazing flying skills. Craft and business vendors will show their wares and provide information on their businesses. Local food establishments will be on the grounds providing food, beverages, and delectable dessert. A kids' area will have games, activities, and entertainment to keep the little ones busy!
Further info at: https://www.waterford-wi.org/waterford_balloon_fest.html

Boyle Arts Festival, Boyle, Co. Roscommon (23rd July - 1st August)
Follow in the steps of Chris O'Dowd's 'Moone Boy' and experiment with 10 days of award-winning cultural events and activities for all ages! Boyle Arts Festival 2015 specialises in small intimate events in historic buildings. Have you ever wanted to write poetry or take up a new craft skill? Are you a music lover or a drama devotee? Whatever your interests, Boyle Arts Festival has more than 60 cultural events and exhibitions and is renowned for punching well above its weight and offering festival goers superb value for money! County Roscommon's biggest and best celebration of the arts each year, festival events include drama, film, literature and storytelling, comedy, singers' nights and street theatre, and an appealing mix of workshops and children's programmes.
https://www.discoverireland.ie/Whats-On/boyle-arts-festival/509680


Spraoi International Festival of Street Arts, Waterford city, Co. Waterford (31 July - 02 August)

Spraoi International Festival of Street Arts, now in its 23rd year, brings high quality street art performers and musicians from all around the world to entertain and amaze audiences. This festival offers a jam packed programme that is sure to have something for everyone! Spraoi will finish on the Sunday night with its annual Parade, which is designed and built in Spraoi's purpose built studios. This jam-packed programme includes Irish and International acts that perform at Spraoi, around 300 local volunteers take part in bringing the festival to you, making it a proud testament to the Waterford people.
https://www.discoverireland.ie/Whats-On/spraoi-international-festival-of-street-arts/508485