Live podcasts, Culture Night, and festivals of everything from arts and theatre to walking, oysters and literature — September’s event schedule is packed. Here’s the best of what’s on…
Cork Podcast Festival
4-15 September, various locations in Cork city, more info here
Celebrating the best and most captivating podcasts in Ireland, Cork Podcast Festival brings together a diverse lineup of thought-provoking shows, engaging discussions, comedy gold and intimate live recordings. Highlights include Young Hot Guys, The Creep Dive, The Blindboy Podcast, and Keep it Tight with Deirdre O’Kane and Emma Doran.
Armagh Food & Cider Festival
5-8 September, various locations in Armagh, more info here
Imagine the autumnal sunset sky meeting the apple-laden branches of the orchards. Imagine the heady aroma of a perfect oak barrel, fermented cider. Imagine cooking your lunch over an open fire with a bounty of treats. Imagine intimate 5-star dining with old friends under the canopy of apple trees. Imagine making freshly baked bread, nestled amongst the gnarled decade-old branches. Imagine top class produce and flavours in buzzing showcases and artisan markets.
Harvest Time Blues
5-9 September, Monaghan town, more info here
With over 40 acts performing across eight stages, Harvest Time Blues is a melting pot of musical talent, drawing performers from Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe, and the USA. The lineup includes Crow Black Chicken, Dom Martin, and Ghalia Volt, and there’s even a Harvest Beard Championship, which prizes to be had for the best in show.
Waterford Harvest Festival
6-8 September, various locations in Waterford, more info here
Returning for its 15th instalment, Waterford Harvest Festival celebrates great food and the people who produce it. A treat for the senses, there’ll be food demos and talks, honey making, storytelling, fine dining experiences, fantastic food offerings from local restaurants, live music and lots of free family entertainment across the city.
The Seán Corcoran Series
6-8 September, Drogheda, more info here
The Seán Corcoran Series returns to the heart of Drogheda’s historic walled town with a vibrant three day programme of the finest in traditional and multi-disciplinary arts. This year’s lineup includes Niamh Bury, Naseem Alatrash, Sorcha Glackin, and The Armagh Rhymers.
Trí Raon Studio 8 exhibition
6-11 September, the Cornstore, Galway, more info here
Galway-based artist collective Studio 8 will be hosting a pop-up exhibition from their current artists in residence, Cadhla Forde, Grace Wallis, Katie Lynch and Liam McHale. Selected works from these emerging artists will be on display just opposite Outset Gallery, and a number of art prints and postcards will be available to purchase from its opening evening on Friday 6 from 6pm.
Paradigm Shift
6-22 September, 126 Artist Run Gallery, Galway, more info here
This solo exhibition from visual artist Tom McLean reflects on the changes that have taken effect within his practice and approach to art. Made up of a collection of experimental drawings, monoprints, collages, paintings, digital works, and wall-based installations, Paradigm Shift, explored scale, space, and form.
Dublin Fringe Festival
7-22 September, various locations in Dublin city, more info here
From form-busting theatre productions, electric dance performance, immersive installations to epic party nights out, every event is curated to ignite your mind and leave an indelible mark on your soul. Stand out events include a cabaret show from SexyTadhg, new comedy routines from Shane Daniel Byrne and Killian Sundermann, and queer coming of age rollercoaster ride, Cortisol.
Rocio Dominguez’s MANY MEs
13 September, Black Box Theatre, Galway, more info here
MANY MEs explores Rocio’s experiences of transit, loss and rebirth. Rocio delves into an unending quest for the completion of a rite of passage, where echoes of a sister’s death, the lingering wounds of a violent love relationship, and the ache of a distant home intertwine. Rocío immerses herself in the liminal space of mourning and uprooting, navigating a realm suspended in time.
Boyne Valley Trails September Walking Festival
15-22 September, Boyne Valley, more info here
Hikes, Nordic walking, whiskey tours, history walks, family storytelling walks, myths and legends tours, crafting, evening lectures and more — Boyne Valley Trails September Walking Festival has it all. Hike off the beaten track, through forest trails and along unspoilt riverbanks.
Franco-Irish Art Exhibition
17-30 September, St Anne’s Park, Dublin, more info here
Clémence Prosen and Rebecca Fitzsimons, esteemed artists known for their exploration of Irish and French sceneries, bring the third edition of the Franco-Irish Exhibition to The Red Stables in St. Anne’s Park. This year’s exhibition showcases an array of captivating and diverse paintings that offer a glimpse into the shared cultural heritage and natural beauty of both nations.
Clifden Arts Festival
18-29 September, various locations in Clifden, more info here
The longest-running community arts festival in Ireland, Clifden Community Arts Festival is heading into its 47th year, promising to have something to excite everyone in this year’s programme. Highlights include a celebration of the creativity of older people, poetry evenings, walking tours, live music, theatre, and more.
Clonakilty International Guitar Festival
19-22 September, Clonakilty, Cork, more info here
The 20th edition of the Clonakilty International Guitar Festival returns with another diverse lineup of performances, workshops and jam sessions, showcasing a wide range of guitar styles such as punk, blues, noise, rock, classical, folk, and trad. Highlights include Niamh Regan, John Spillane, and The Kates.
Culture Night
20 September, various locations across Ireland, more info here
Returning for its 19th edition, Culture Night is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts while actively promoting the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day. It is delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages and rural locations as well as online. The lineup is huge and diverse, so make sure you look into what’s happening in your local community.
Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships
21-26 September, Tullamore, more info here
The Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships has been on the go for over 50 years now, visiting many different locations around the country. This is a unique and spectacular event featuring up to 30 hot air balloons and their crews from around the world. This year, the aim is for the balloons to fly twice daily from a location in the vicinity of Tullamore town, creating an amazing and colourful spectacle for all to see as the balloons inflate and fly overhead.
Dublin Theatre Festival
26 September – 15 October, various location in Dublin city, more info here
Dublin city, its people and their stories are at the heart of Dublin Theatre Festival. Presenting a programme of exceptional theatrical experiences in a bid to see more people participating in culture and more artists creating bold new work that challenges and inspires, events to look forward to include Reunion, featuring Robert Sheehan, Lourdes! The Musical!, and the darkly comic Content.
Write by the Sea Literary Festival
27-29 September, Kilmore Quay, Wexford, more info here
A weekend of readings, conversations, workshops and interviews with local, Irish and international performers and authors, Write by the Sea is inspiring, engaging, and thought-provoking. Authors appearing over the weekend include Lucy Caldwell, Colin Walsh, Colin Barrett, Cathay Sweeney, Sinéad Gleeson, and Emilie Pine — to name but a few.
Galway International Oyster Festival
27-29 September, Nimmo’s Pier, Galway, more info here
Having grown astronomically in size, scope and popularity since its inaugural event was hosted in 1954, Galway International Oyster Festival features live music throughout, a variety of the freshest seafood you will ever taste, oyster shucking competitions, family fun and cookery demos with celebrated national and local chefs.
Shane Lynam’s Pebbledash Wonderland
All month, Photo Museum Ireland, more info here
This exhibition is a photographic account of Shane Lynam’s adopted home city, Dublin. Building on Lynam’s long-term engagement with urban space across Europe, pushing his practice in new subjective and narrative directions, Pebbledash Wonderland is Lynam’s third major body of work.
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
All month, Lisdoonvarna, more info here
Europe’s biggest singles festival takes place in the small village of Lisdoonvarna, welcoming 60,000 people from all over the world for a festival of music, fun, and maybe even love?! Over 165 years old now, it couldn’t be more different from online dating, and you can meet Ireland’s only traditional matchmaker Willie Daly — legend has it that if you touch his ‘lucky book’ with both hands, you’ll be married in six months!
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