Do you love attending festivals? If you do, I hope you try to attend a festival or two, as you are traveling the world! Festivals are an excellent way to immerse yourself in the lives of the locals. Eat local cuisine. Learn the local cultures and traditions. And make a few new friends at the same time. If you are planning a vacation in Ireland in the future, you should know there are plenty of festivals to choose from. Today, I am sharing some of my favorite festivals in Ireland. I guarantee one of these festivals will be near the top of your list of things to do in Ireland during your next vacation.  

Check Out These Amazing Festivals in Ireland During Your Next Vacation 

The Cat Laughs Festival 

The Cat Laughs Festival is one of the favorite festivals in Kilkenny, Ireland. This is a comedy festival. It is held over a bank holiday weekend in June.  

You will find yourself listening to, and watching, some of the best comics from around the world during this five-day festival in Ireland.  

Festival of World Cultures 

The very first Global Carnival in Ireland was the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Festival of World Cultures. This festival has been a popular local event for almost a decade.  

During this festival, you will find yourself immersed in the local traditions and culture. Add in live music and plenty of local cuisine and you won’t know where to begin!  

I recommend starting at the art exhibits before attending a workshop or cultural demonstration. Then listen to the music while you try a few new delicacies.  

St. Patrick’s Festival 

Okay, you had to know that there would be a St. Patrick’s Festival in Ireland! March 17th is the day that St. Patrick died. So, while many people are not aware of this, the day is when we celebrate this patron saint of Ireland.  

You will find St. Patrick’s Festivals throughout the country. However, the festival in Dublin is the largest. The city even has the largest parade with more than three thousand performers. It is best to arrive at the parade early because more than five hundred thousand people attend each year.  

The rest of the day is full of music, dancing, and family fun.  

This festival usually takes place over five days though. So, you won’t need to cram all the fun into a single day. During these five days, you can tour Marsh’s Library, which is three hundred years old. Or walk through the city to follow the steps St. Patrick himself took during his lifetime.  

Check out what other things to do are available in Dublin during your next vacation. 

Taste of Dublin 

There are too many food-related festivals in Ireland to count. But one of the best ones is the Taste of Dublin. During four days in June, you can try all the local favorite food and drinks.  

The marketplace is full of experts waiting to teach you about all the best ingredients and supplies. They can even show you how to craft the perfect cocktail! Your taste buds will be dancing by the end of the day.  

Galway International Arts Festival 

The Galway International Arts Festival happens in July. It has offered the locals art-filled fun for more than forty years now. This festival includes theatrical productions, dance performances, and musical performances.  

All the events take place in numerous venues around the city. You will even find impromptu street dancing performances, live music jam sessions, and giant puppets.  

Fleadh Cheoil 

Ireland has plenty of traditional music to listen to. One of the best times to hear it all is during the Fleadh Cheoil Festival. You will find this festival in the small town of Drogheda.  

This festival has been taking place for more than seventy years now. Throughout the event, there are live street performances, local orchestras, and organized concerts. I can help you obtain tickets to the events you want to attend, as I am planning your vacation in Ireland.  

National Ploughing Festival 

One of the unique festivals in Ireland is the National Ploughing Festival. It is held during the month of September. This is an outdoor agricultural festival. The main event is a plowing competition.  

This festival is held over the course of three days. It is the largest agricultural festival in the world.  

Galway Oyster Fest 

Another September festival in Ireland is the Galway Oyster Fest. The Galway Flat Oyster is only available between September and April every year. And what better way to celebrate its arrival each year than with a festival!  

Head over to Galway Bay Harbour to eat some oysters and drink a few pints of Guinness.  

Cork Chocolate Festival and Baking World 

The month of November brings the Cork Chocolate Festival and Baking World. An entire weekend is filled with chocolate and baked goods.  

During this event, you can attend workshops. Or watch a bunch of chocolate making and baking demonstrations. However, the best part is always participating in the thirty-minute tasting sessions.  

Viennese Christmas by Candlelight 

December brings the holiday season and Viennese Christmas by Candlelight. This festival is held within St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. It is a one-night event filled with festive orchestra music.  

Puck Fair 

Puck Fair is a festival held during the month of August. This is one of the oldest festivals in Ireland. It has been held for more than four hundred years.  

A wild mountain goat is crowned as the King of Killorglin for the three days of the festival. And yes, the mountain goat is released back into the wild at the end of the events.  

This festival is packed with storytelling, music, dancing, concerts, and fireworks. There is also a horse fair and midnight madness.  

These are some of the amazing festivals in Ireland you will want to consider attending during your next vacation. There are so many others, and I can help you find the one that is perfect for your family vacation in Ireland. And in between festivals, you should definitely check out a few of the gorgeous destinations in Ireland. 

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized itinerary that includes a festival in Ireland for your next vacation?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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