Weekend Guide: 11 of the best events happening around Ireland
Culture Night shenanigans, festivals of sea swimming and storytelling and art exhibitions are among the best events taking place across Ireland this weekend.
Vitamin Sea Festival
20-22 September, Tramore, more info here
Celebrating the food and great outdoors of Tramore, this experienced-based and community-centred festival is all about that good old vitamin sea. Beach cleaning, outdoor yoga sessions, wine tastings, picnics, coffee mornings, sunrise paddle boarding, live music — there’s a little bit of everything happening in Tramore this weekend.
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 Fringe Festival
Until 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 theatre from Eibhleann Caffrey, new comedy routines from Shane Daniel Byrne and Killian Sundermann, and one-woman show, Bird About Town.
Franco-Irish Art Exhibition
Until 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.
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!
Listowel International Storytelling Festival
19-22 September, Listowel, Kerry, more info here
A great storyteller will always be rooted in the people, primarily in a milieu of craftsmen. Listowel International Storytelling Festival is an initiative from Kerry Writers’ Museum, bringing together a wealth of Irish and international storytellers and musicians. Inspired by the Irish Rambling House tradition and its sense of togetherness, this festival serves as a community gathering full of tales, recitations, music, songs and ballads.
Bere Island Arts Festival
19-22 September, Bere Island, Cork, more info here
In 2023, Bere Island held its inaugural arts weekend, welcoming people to the island to become part of something very special. A festival like no other, the island becomes the setting for music, song, visual, performing and spoken art inspired and adapted for this one-of-a-kind setting. There will be pop-up craft shops, exhibitions aplenty, and film screenings, to name but a few of the fantastic events on their 2024 programme.
Clifden Arts Festival
Until 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
Until 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.
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