Unfortunately, with the summer drawing to a close, the chance of getting away gets slimmer and slimmer. Between being too busy with work to get a week off, and the unexpected sun forcing you to pour all your hard earned cash into those dastardly beer gardens, it's been tough to scrape together the time and money for that dream trip away.

But if you're worried about missing out on that much needed holiday, don't worry, because we've put together a list of destinations that'll make sure you take advantage of the last throws of summer, while keeping that wallet looking cheerfully chubby too. And a huge bonus, you won't have to spend 10 hours in the airport, or point at signs and yell loudly just to order dinner.

Kerry

Yeah, it actually really does look like that.

Not just the basecamp for families looking spend a week in the caravan(way more fun than it sounds by the way) or tour around The Ring of Kerry, The Kingdom is a cultural hotspot, as well as offering a huge variety of sights to see, and activities to have a go at.

If you're free this weekend you can hit up Waterville for the Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival between the 21st-24th for a weekend of laughs you won't regret. Film all day, music all night, with enough events during the day to keep even the most energetic of you busy.

If films and comedy aren't your fancy, you could always try the Killarney August Festival during the 20th-23rd. Flat track horse racing the first day, with jumps the following, this is perfect replacement for anyone who missed the Galway races, or enjoyed it so much they crave more of the same. The Ladies Day includes a shopping-spree giveaway, so it could be the women dragging the men to the track this time around.
 



Galway

Who doesn't love a stay in Galway? Enough beaches and mountains to keep the active types busy, and they're relaxing enough to cater for the less physically inclined sorts, ourselves included.

The city is alive with pubs, clubs and restaurants, while a trip to Connemara will keep those Irish roots in check. Twenty years worth or Americanisation can be undone by knocking back a single pint of the black stuff while wearing an Aran sweater.

If you can free yourself this weekend, The Sugarbeat Festival is on in Tuam on the 23rd, giving you the chance to see Damien Dempsey, Raglans, Mundy, and Keywest in one afternoon, which isn't too shabby a way to spend a Saturday.

 

Cork
 
Need to take your mind off missing out on tickets to Electric Picnic? Well there's another music festival this month that can help you get over it, especially if you're a fan of the diddly-aye.

The Masters of Tradition music festival will be on in Bantry between the 20th-24th and will be home to some of the county's best traditional players. If the music alone isn't enough to entice you down to Bantry, the Bay is as peaceful a place as you're going to find on this little Ireland.

You'd be shocked by how many people have never spent any time in the 2005 European Culture Capital, so don't be one and give Cork a go.



Kilkenny

You may have missed the Arts Festival, but Kilkenny is great destination to visit any time of the year.

One of the most picturesque towns(sorry Kilkenny, you're not a city) in Ireland, the streets have barely changed since medieval times, speaking of which, the Kilkenny Castle is still open for tours.

If you fancy trying something a bit more modern, there's everything from golfing and go-karting, to walking trails and horse-racing, as well as having one of the best night-life cultures in Ireland.

If you like an atmosphere, try make it down for the All-Ireland hurling final on the 7th of September, the city will be awash with black and amber.

 


Donegal
 

If you still feel the need to travel for hours on end, and have no idea what the locals are saying, you can visit Donegal for every experience a foreign holiday offers, bar the weather of course.

But in all serious, there's a reason Paul Rudd visits there so frequently. We're not sure what that is, but you'll be able to find out if you go to the Taste of Donegal Food Festival that's running between 22nd-24th of this month.

Showcasing all of the local foods and hosting guided beer and wine tours, you'll also get a chance to see celebrity chef demonstrations and master-classes during this three-day event. With music and comedy to fill up the evenings, there's going to be a fireworks display as well. That's right, flashy things are going to go bang-bang in the sky, you don't want to miss that.