Kilkenny Animated, Kilkenny city (Feb)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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.

Explore more of Ireland's Ancient East

Explore the tales of the tide

Sample salty sea air and island adventures: the wonders of Ireland's southern shoreline are revealed in 5 days.

Peel back the layers of history

4 action-packed days discovering intriguing stories of seabirds, racehorses and hermit saints.

Discover where legends come to life

Unearth fantastic tales of giants, witches, saints and lords and create your own epic story over 4 days.

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Experience a 2 day Mindful Eating Retreat, at Abhainn Ri, Co Wicklow from €350 pp

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Take the First Class route with a Waterford Crystal, Kilkenny City & the Suir Valley tour with Railtours Ireland from €119 pp

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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!

Kilkenny Animated, Kilkenny city (Feb)

Bray Jazz Festival, County Wicklow (May)

Cork International Choral Festival, Cork city (May)

Uisneach festival of fire, County Westmeath (May)

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

Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork city (June)

Carlow Garden Festival, County Carlow (July)

Waterford Spraoi, Waterford city (August)

Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kilkenny city (August)

Electric Picnic, County Laois (September)

Wexford Festival Opera, Wexford Town (October)

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Cork city (October)

Cork Film Festival, Cork city (November)

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

Winter Solstice, County Meath (December)

Explore more of Ireland's Ancient East

Explore the tales of the tide

Peel back the layers of history

Discover where legends come to life

Offers

Enjoy a 15% saving on your Luxury, Dream Seaside Cottage Escape with Cottages Ireland, prices from €63 per person, per night sharing

Experience a 2 day Mindful Eating Retreat, at Abhainn Ri, Co Wicklow from €350 pp

Take the First Class route with a Waterford Crystal, Kilkenny City & the Suir Valley tour with Railtours Ireland from €119 pp

SAVE 5% on Cooley & Mourne Self-guided walking holiday with Walking Holiday Ireland, from €499 pp

Join the adventure with an Electric Fatbike Tipi Camping Package, with Fatbike Adventures, Co Wicklow from €170 pppn

Treat the whole family with a Seaside Family Escape with Family Pass for Dublin Zoo with Cottages Ireland from €75 pppn sharing

Pre-book and save! Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny - home to Ireland's most popular ale

Enjoy 10% off guided tours at Newbridge House & Farm, Co Dublin. Just 10 minutes from Dublin Airport

Your dream Christmas Cottage by the sea awaits with Cottages Ireland from €75 per person per night sharing

Spoil yourselves with a Romantic 3 night beach cottage escape at The Cottages Ireland for €250 pps

Begin a tour of Ireland's Ancient East with a 7 Day Private Tour with Butlers Tours from €995 pps

Getting here

Places to stay

Find out more about Ireland

Take a moment

Welcome to Ireland.com!

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!

Kilkenny Animated, Kilkenny city (Feb)

Bray Jazz Festival, County Wicklow (May)

Cork International Choral Festival, Cork city (May)

Uisneach festival of fire, County Westmeath (May)

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

Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork city (June)

Carlow Garden Festival, County Carlow (July)

Waterford Spraoi, Waterford city (August)

Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kilkenny city (August)

Electric Picnic, County Laois (September)

Wexford Festival Opera, Wexford Town (October)

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Cork city (October)

Cork Film Festival, Cork city (November)

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

Winter Solstice, County Meath (December)

Explore more of Ireland's Ancient East

Explore the tales of the tide

Peel back the layers of history

Discover where legends come to life

Offers

Enjoy a 15% saving on your Luxury, Dream Seaside Cottage Escape with Cottages Ireland, prices from €63 per person, per night sharing

Experience a 2 day Mindful Eating Retreat, at Abhainn Ri, Co Wicklow from €350 pp

Take the First Class route with a Waterford Crystal, Kilkenny City & the Suir Valley tour with Railtours Ireland from €119 pp

SAVE 5% on Cooley & Mourne Self-guided walking holiday with Walking Holiday Ireland, from €499 pp

Join the adventure with an Electric Fatbike Tipi Camping Package, with Fatbike Adventures, Co Wicklow from €170 pppn

Treat the whole family with a Seaside Family Escape with Family Pass for Dublin Zoo with Cottages Ireland from €75 pppn sharing

Pre-book and save! Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny - home to Ireland's most popular ale

Enjoy 10% off guided tours at Newbridge House & Farm, Co Dublin. Just 10 minutes from Dublin Airport

Your dream Christmas Cottage by the sea awaits with Cottages Ireland from €75 per person per night sharing

Spoil yourselves with a Romantic 3 night beach cottage escape at The Cottages Ireland for €250 pps

Begin a tour of Ireland's Ancient East with a 7 Day Private Tour with Butlers Tours from €995 pps

Getting here

Places to stay

Find out more about Ireland

Don’t be a stranger. Keep in touch on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Take a moment

Don't miss out

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Welcome to Ireland.com!