Ireland's Ancient East Festivals

From garden parties to opera via jazz and comedy, festivals in Ireland's Ancient East are fun, unique and varied. Choose one that suits you!

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The Uisneach Fire Festival, Mullingar, County Westmeath
Bray Jazz Festival, County Wicklow (May)

Bray Jazz Festival, County Wicklow (May)

Named "one of the very best small jazz festivals in Europe" by All About Jazz magazine, this festival in the Victorian sea-side town of Bray hosts an exciting lineup of international stars and homegrown talent each May.

Cork International Choral Festival, Cork city (May)

Cork International Choral Festival, Cork city (May)

Bringing a whole city to life with song since 1954, for five days every year, the Choral Festival Cork welcomes choirs from across the world for a celebration of choral music in all its many forms.
Uisneach festival of fire, County Westmeath (May)

Uisneach festival of fire, County Westmeath (May)

Held in 'the mythological and sacred centre of Ireland' in County Westmeath, the Uisneach Festival of Fire is a rich revival of Ireland's pre-christian history. This May celebration reenacts the lighting of the Uisneach fire, celebrating summer's arrival.
Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, Kilkenny city (May/June)

Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, Kilkenny city (May/June)

Comic geniuses, medieval architecture and a city that's been voted one of the friendliest in the world – no wonder the Sky Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in Kilkenny is one of the most enjoyable comedy festivals in Europe.

Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork city (June)

Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork city (June)

On the banks of the beautiful River Lee, the wealth of artistic creativity from the city and beyond brings magic to midsummer. Outdoor picnics in the park and indoor theatrical locations are all filled with music, circus, storytelling and food.
Carlow Garden Festival, County Carlow (July)

Carlow Garden Festival, County Carlow (July)

A panel of gardening greats converge on the Carlow Garden Trail each summer to dispense advice and tips on all things from bulbs to borders. Hone your skills while taking in trails, woodlands and award-winning private and public gardens.
Waterford Spraoi, Waterford city (August)

Waterford Spraoi, Waterford city (August)

Spraoi is the Irish word for fun, and there's no better way to describe this festival. One of Ireland’s biggest street carnivals, Spraoi covers Waterford in a riot of colour and craic (fun). Think live music, street performers and think FREE.
Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kilkenny city (August)

Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kilkenny city (August)

For ten days, this wonderfully eclectic arts festival turns the city's churches, castles and courtyards into one big venue. Come for a day or come for the entire festival, and you'll be greeted with a heady mix of world-class music, theatre and art.
Electric Picnic, County Laois (September)

Electric Picnic, County Laois (September)

The rock and roll circus that is Electric Picnic is Ireland’s original boutique music-and-arts festival. Diverse international acts aside, the secret stages, eclectic attractions and art installations are what make it so popular.

Wexford Festival Opera, Wexford Town (October)

Wexford Festival Opera, Wexford Town (October)

Started in 1951, the Wexford Festival Opera is one of the world's leading opera festivals. Thousands flock to Wexford to experience the high-quality programme and stagings of rare works.
Kilkenny Animated, Kilkenny city (October)

Kilkenny Animated, Kilkenny city (October)

Expect everything from exhibitions and workshops to graffiti and stand-up comedy at Kilkenny Animated, a festival of visual storytelling inspired by the tales of Ireland's Ancient East and set amongst the medieval streets of Kilkenny city.
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Cork city (October)

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Cork city (October)

Hundreds of acclaimed jazz musicians arrive in Cork in October for the long-running Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. One of Europe's biggest events for jazz music lovers, it takes place in the creative city of Cork on the banks of the River Lee.
Cork Film Festival, Cork city (November)

Cork Film Festival, Cork city (November)

Ireland’s oldest film festival takes place each November in the Rebel City. In its 60th year and Academy Awards® accredited, hundreds of Irish and international films will screen at the Cork Opera House, Triskel Christchurch and Gate Cinema.
The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival, County Meath (Oct-Nov)

The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival, County Meath (Oct-Nov)

Steel yourself: this festival comes with scares aplenty. Haunted hills, terror houses and monster balls are all on the menu. But the real chill will descend during the night of October 31, when spirits make their way across these historic lands.
Winter Solstice, County Meath (December)

Winter Solstice, County Meath (December)

Drumming circles, Celtic chanting and a sunset ceremony mark this ancient winter festival. A lucky few who enter by lottery will witness the organic light show. Nearby, Loughcrew offers a more accessible – and equally breathtaking – experience: watch the rising pass over one of the world’s oldest burial mounds.

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Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry
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