From the last of this summer’s music and arts festivals, to exhibitions, gigs, and food-focussed workshops, August is going to be a busy, busy month…
All Together Now
1-4 August, Curraghmore Estate, Waterford, more info here
The biggest and best weekend of the year for many, All Together Now 2024 is Ireland’s largest independent festival, endeavouring to take us on a weekend of exploration, escapism, and togetherness. This year’s line-up features headliners like Jorja Smith, The Prodigy, Natasha Bedingfield and Slowdive, Irish talent like Kojaque, NewDad, Soda Blonde and The Sprints, and many, many more homegrown and international music and comedy acts.
GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival
1-5 August, Dublin, more info here
For the 2024 instalment of GAZE film festival, you can expect 25 international features and 10 eclectic shorts, including Irish, European, and world premieres. There will be masterclass conversations with filmmakers, actors, musicians and gamers taking place over five days, with highlights including a genre-busting documentary exploring the diversity of contemporary trans masc experiences in the form of TOPS, a screening of Corey Sherman’s Big Boys, and a first look at Close To You, starring Elliot Page.
Spraoi International Street Arts Festival
2-4 August, Waterford, more info here
Madam Cavalcade has travelled the globe collecting and curating the most unique creatures imaginable for her infamous travelling show. From mythological beasts to strange hybrids, the audience will gaze in wonder at this legendary collection. This year’s Spraoi parade features a cast of nearly 200 performers and a collection of beautifully crafted puppets and floats.
Jony Easterby’s Garden of Shadows
2-5 August, Skibbereen, West Cork, more info here
As part of Skibbereen Arts Festival, Liss Ard Estate will host a series of immersive sound and light installations set along a stunning 1km trail through the grounds. Created by UK artist Jony Easterby, this exclusive nighttime adventure brings you on a profound sensory journey through the mysteries of the night. An unforgettable experience as you navigate this intriguing woodland, where nature is seen on the edge of darkness and light.
Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival
2-10 August, Offaly, more info here
Featuring professional, national and international artists bringing visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop-up performers, workshops, exhibitions and lots more to Offaly, Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival’s 2024 lineup includes a parade, a food market, a fireworks display, and a historical walking tour.
Cork Pride
Until 4 August, Cork, more info here
This year’s theme is ‘Unity in Community’, and the lineup is nothing short of stunning, rounding off with a performance from local Eurovision hopeful, Bambie Thug. In addition to the parade—which kicks off at 1pm on Sunday—there’s also the Big Queer Debs, drag brunch, bike rides and a wrap party to look forward to.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024
4-11 August, Garman, Wexford, more info here
Traditional musicians of all ages are invited to gather in Wexford for this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, and the line-up is jam packed. There’ll be a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest group playing tin whistles over a continuous 5-minute period, talks, awards, sessions and competitions aplenty.
We’ve Only Just Begun Festival
8-10 August, Whelan’s, Dublin, more info here
This annual three-day music festival takes place across two stages in Whelan’s, and this year, the line-up is entirely made up of female and queer solo acts and female and queer-fronted bands. Showcasing some of the most exciting up-and-coming acts in the Irish music scene at the moment, the line-up includes Niamh Bury, The Cliffords, Annie-Dog, and Ezra Williams.
Waterford Walls Festival
9-18 August, Waterford, more info here
Ireland’s largest international street art festival, Waterford Walls invites national and international artists to create large scale mural artworks around the city and surrounding areas, with live art, music, workshops, guided tours and much more taking place over ten days. This year’s artists include Zippy, Shane O’Malley, Nasca Uno, and many more.
Happenings’ Remembering screenings
9 & 30 August, Herbert Park, Dublin, more info here
Having previously hosted a Remembering screening to mark a year since Sinéad O’Connor’s passing, Happenings will continue their tributes with two more special events in August. The first will be paid to the legendary Shane MacGowan with an open-air screening of the documentary Crock of Gold, followed by a special tribute screening of the documentary Songs for While I’m Away at the end of the month in celebration of the life and music of Phil Lynott, the iconic frontman of Thin Lizzy, who would have turned 75 this year.
Puck Fair
10-12 August, Killorgan, Kerry, more info here
Ireland’s oldest festival, Puck Fair has roots in the Gaelic calendar and is held without fail on 10-12 August every year with free family-friendly street entertainment daily. ?This year, King Puck will be raised on his stand for a short period following his coronation. He will then not be seen again until the final day of Puck Fair, when a brief dethroning ceremony will take place.
Galway Pride
10-18 August, Galway, more info here
From the flag raising and awards night, to candlelit vigils, trans nights out and the grand parade, Galway Pride 2024 is a true celebration of love and community. Though official event dates have not yet been revealed, mark the dates in your calendars so you can make sure you get to join in on the festivities during the week out West.
Cork on a Fork Festival
14-18 August, Cork, more info here
Cork has always been known for its rich culinary heritage and vibrant food scene, and now you can get a taste of all that the region has to offer over five days as the city centre turns into a gastronomic paradise, celebrating the vibrant and diverse food culture of the region. Expect unique dining events, pop-up restaurants, chef collaborations, live cooking demonstrations from top chefs, interactive workshops, food and drink pairings events, bite-sized talks, and plenty of kids’ food activities.
Electric Picnic
16-18 August, Stradbally, Laois, more info here
A weekend that requires little introduction, EP is a music and arts festival looked forward to by many, despite the annual likelihood of muckiness. This year’s headliners are Kylie Minogue, Noah Kahan, and Calvin Harris, with plenty of superb homegrown talent making appearances across the weekend, including the likes of Kneecap, The Scratch, Jazzy, and NewDad.
The Defender Puissance at the Dublin Horse Show
17 August, The RDS, Dublin, more info here
This year, the Defender Puissance celebrates its 20th year of sponsorship as it returns to the Dublin Horse Show with a bigger presence than ever before. On each day of the show, visitors to the Family Area can enjoy a unique drive experience in Mini Defenders. Kids with an appetite for adventure can get behind the wheel of a miniature Defender as they learn to steer and navigate a bespoke course designed just for them. The Defender Puissance wall starts at a height of 1.80m, which steadily climbs for each round until it reaches the dizzying height of 2.20m. Each competing horse must clear the Defender Puissance wall, leading to an exciting knock-out finish!
The Big Grill
22-25 August, Herbert Park, Dublin, more info here
Europe’s biggest BBQ and food festival returns to Dublin, bringing the very best Irish and international chefs, restaurants and barbecue experts together to celebrate and explore the delicious challenges, skilful techniques, and pure magic of cooking over live fire.
Another Love Story
23-25 August, Killyon Manor, Meath, more info here
Another Love Story is a bespoke festival weekender of music, art, conversation, food and fun nestled amongst the graceful charm of the 18th Century home, Killyon Manor. This year’s line-up includes Sampa the Great, Modeselektor, Jape, David Kitt, Qbanaa, and many more. Having grown from previous years, there is now a grand total of eight little worlds for you to experience, so get ready to enter a whole new realm.
Wider Than Pictures’ Summer Series
23-27 August, National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, more info here
Fast becoming a staple of summer in Dublin, Wider Than Pictures Takes brings a diverse roster of world-class live acts to the National Museum of Ireland, curated by the folks at Singular Artists. The 2024 edition features James Blunt, Gossip, The The, Deacon Blue, and James.
A tribute to Jeff Buckley’s Grace
23 August, Whelan’s, Dublin, more info here
To mark the 30th anniversary of Jeff Buckley’s seminal debut album, Turning Pirate & Hibernacle are presenting a special tribute show, playing the record live from start to finish with the help of some incredible singers, including Ailbhe Reddy, Faye O’Rourke of Soda Bonde, Rhob Cunningham and Diane Anglim.
Wicked
Until September 14, Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin, more info here
Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire, Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Riverdance
All month, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, more info here
Riverdance returns with a powerful and stirring reinvention of the global phenomenon, celebrated for its Grammy Award-winning score and the extraordinary energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. Composer Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerising soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the ground-breaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage and costume designs.
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