Fabulous festival fever has already started to take hold with no shortage of great events to keep the entire family enthralled. Forget the weather - lots of 'fun-shine' is guaranteed whether it is a festival by the sea, a music event that will add a beat, or a tasty food carnival that will whet the appetite! Plan a break around a great festival and make some unforgettable family memories that will stay with you for ever. Here are ten upcoming festivals – but check out dozens more at www.discoverireland.ie or find Discover Ireland on Facebook #thisisLIVING
Gather the family and head for The Carlow Arts Festival (Éigse), (May 29th – June 7th), with a vibrant and dynamic programme of large-scale visual art, fun street carnival, music and theatre. Enjoy banter on barges on the River Barrow with writers, painters, broadcasters, photographers, seasonal-ingredients chefs, and musicians.
Ahoy there! Get your oar out and join in nautical family fun during the Cork City Harbour Festival, (May 30th – June 6th). You can hop aboard for a harbour cruise, try your hand at rowing and kayaking or explore Cork Harbour's impressive forts. Kids will be encouraged to get creative with a model boat building competition!
Landlubbers gather your little pirates and splash out for the Dublin Port River Festival, (May 30th – June 1st), with entertainment and family fun guaranteed. Marvel at the three majestic tall ships and four schooners which will berth at North Wall Quay and will be open for visits and the Jeanie Johnson will be offering free tours throughout the weekend. On dry land enjoy a carnival atmosphere with street performers, music from shanty singers as well as food and craft markets.
Get your fill on great food and culture over six tasty days in the North West during the Só Sligo Food Festival, (June 10th – 14th), incorporating Yeats Day marking the 150th birthday of W.B Yeats! Take your pick from a packed menu with a Wild Food experience, fermentation workshops (with a pop up ferment bar), Irish craft beer and food tasting, cookery demos, and workshops for adults and children.
Go wild in the unspoilt and beautiful Erris region and celebrate this unique corner of Co. Mayo during the Erris Beo Festival, (June 18th – 21st). The festival will feature a series of exciting events for all the family including golf, water sports, cinema, bike race, walks, a treasure hunt and a boat trip to the Iniskea Islands. Voted the best place in Ireland to go wild by The Irish Times in 2014 you can also feed the soul on magical coastal walks.
Drop anchor in the sunny south east for the Wexford Maritime Festival, (June 20th -21st), with free, fun family events. Hit the Wexford Quayside for lots of great kid's activities including science workshops, Viking adventures and a boat stage with discos and games. Festival goers can also make a splash with raft races, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and water skiing. After all that hard work you can have your fill at the food market with delicious local artisan food and chef demonstrations.
Get on the run and celebrate Waterford's rich Viking heritage during the Waterford Viking Marathon, (June 27th), one of the biggest events of its type in the sunny South East. You can take your pick from a full, half or quarter marathon - so something for all levels of ability! There will also be lots of fun family activities with entertainment along the route including live music and DJ's and a party atmosphere at the finish line.
Combine great music and sumptuous grub at the Killarney Festival of Music & Food, (June 27th – 28th June). Leading out on stage will be an amazing musical line-up including Duran Duran, Walking on Cars, the Proclaimers and Jools Holland. All that music will whet an appetite so have your fill at the Killarney Gourmet Food Village showcasing the best of local artisan food and food demonstrations from celebrity and Michelin Star chefs including JP McMahon, Clodagh McKenna and Derry Clarke.
Celebrate the life and legacy of Brian Ború former High King of Ireland and the most famous son of the historic twin towns of Killaloe and Ballina at Féile Brian Ború (July 1st – 5th) on the banks of the River Shannon. Experience what it was like to sail a 1,000 years ago on Viking Long Boat trips, join the Brian Boru Trail and learn about the life and times of this great warrior in special Brian Boru workshops.
Hit the high notes in the stunning surrounds of magnificent Killruddery House & Gardens in Bray, Co.Wicklow, for the chilled out, hassle free Groove Music Festival, (July 4th and 5th). A family friendly music and entertainment event top billing this year goes to The Darkness, Christy Moore and The Riptide Movement. You can also get into the groove with a host of other activities including the Activity Zone with climbing wall, tag archery and aqua sphering. Don't miss The Groove Zone with DJs before checking out the craft market and gourmet food from Master Chef John Coughlan!
For lots more inspiration to help plan your break in Ireland check out www.discoverireland.ie or find Discover Ireland on Facebook #thisisLIVING
