Whatever rhythms you are into, beat a path to one of the great music festivals that will rock a stunning part of Ireland this summer. Whether you are a hard rocker, a pop fan or a classical music aficionado there is a festival that will be music to your ears. Take your pick from an intimate boutique festival incorporating the spoken word and art, or a fun event that will have all the gang hitting the high notes.
Here are ten festivals to pick from - but tune into lots more at www.discoverireland.ie #thisisLIVING
Taste Forbidden Fruit in Dublin
The historic and sumptuous grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham, Dublin is the stately setting for the Forbidden Fruit Festival, (May 29th – 31st). The hot line-up includes Fatboy Slim, Wu Tang Clang, Nicholas Jaar, Maya Jane Coles, and Adam Beyer with a total of 70 acts playing on five different stages.
Hit the high notes in Lismore
Make music, magic and history at the unique Lismore Music Festival in Co. Waterford (May 30th - 31st). This special summer opera festival is taking place in the stunning surroundings of Lismore Castle and Gardens, the residence of the Duke of Devonshire and beautifully situated along the Blackwater River. It offers an eclectic mix of musical genres with classical music and opera at its core. Don’t miss 'La Cenerentola' Cinderella by Rossini this year in the castle stables.
Find your soul in Westmeath
Wend your way to Westmeath where world class acts will top the bill at Body & Soul, Ballinlough Castle, (June 19th - 21st). This is about far more than music - enjoy the spoken word in secret hideaways, glittering late night woodland discos, an inspirational art trail, and lively debate. A special feature this year is Wonderlust, a stage of curiosities with talks and discussions on numerous topics by day and great music at night from acts including Inni- K, Talos, Augustus & John, Twin Headed Wolf, Maria Somerville and Slow Skies.
Make waves and sweet music in Donegal
Dive into beach culture by day and beat to great music by night at the Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival in Bundoran, Co. Donegal, (June 19th – 21st). After a hectic day catching some waves with other dudes in the surfing capital of the North West kick back to great bands including Black Grape, the Riptide Movement, Seasick Steve, Example & DJ Wire and Maverick Sabre.
Go wild with music in West Cork
Dip into some riveting music along the Wild Atlantic Way at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival in beautiful Bantry, (June 26th –July 4th). Hear Mozart and Beethoven in Bantry House, enjoy a coffee concert in St. Brendan’s Church and morning talks in the Brick Oven, There will be an exhibition of fine contemporary violin and bow making and music masterclasses several times a day.
Get Groovy in Bray
The splendid grounds of Kilruderry Estate in Bray, Co. Wicklow is the setting for the Groove Music Festival, (July 4th – 5th) where Delorentos, Little Hours, 80s throwbacks Spring Break and Irish band sensation The Riptide Movement will rock this year.This is a chilled out, hassle free festival with a climbing wall, tag archery and aqua sphering complementing the music programme!
Make Music in Marlay!
Make a break for the capital and tune into Longitude in Marlay Park in Rathfarnham, winner of the Best Medium Festival at the Irish Festival Awards for the second year running, (July 17th – 19th). Headlining this year is one of the hottest properties currently in the Irish music world, Hozier, as well as The Chemical Brothers, and Alt-J.
Be cool in Castlepalooza!
Chill out at one of the coolest summer events in Ireland - the Castlepalooza Music & Arts Festival in the stunning setting of the 17th century Charleville Castle in Tullamore Co. Offaly, (July 31st – August 2nd). As well as top music acts you can immerse yourself in art and film exhibitions; workshops and pamper yourself in the Day Spa. There are camping facilities on site and you can upgrade to fancier boutique camping!
Enjoy some “Indiependence” music in Cork
How cool is this –a music festival on a Deer farm in rural Cork! Gather the gang for the Indiependence Music and Arts Festival, (July 31st – August 2nd) outside Mitchelstown with a mix of music, comedy and film. Basement Jaxx, Ash and Irish rockers Kodaline will headline while the comedy tent line-up will include the brilliant PJ Gallagher, Foil, Arms & Hob, Fred Cooke, Daniel Sloss, Kai Humphries, and Totally Wired. The Spoken Word stage will host screenings by the Undergound Dare Media Film Festival, followed by slam performance poetry sessions.
Light up Laois with Electric Picnic
Everyone loves a picnic and sparks will fly with the staggering display of sound and vision at the Electric Picnic in Stradbally Estate in Co. Laois (September 4th – 6th). Headliners this year include Florence + The Machine, Underworld, and Manic Street Preachers. Kick back and enjoy lots of musical treats on the ginormous main stage and smaller stages in various woodland settings. There is also a spoken-word element, kid’s zones and you can even pamper yourself with a spa treatment!
