August Festivals in Ireland

While we tend to picture Ireland as a place with gray skies unleashing rain onto soggy green turf, there is one time of the year when the island is a bit dryer and the skies a bit bluer. That’s the summertime, and Ireland likes to celebrate the good weather with festivals. And though summer is well under way, August is just starting, and the festivals abound.

Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival
August 5-12

The County Offaly village of Birr has been celebrating the Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival for 43 years now. They must be doing something right, as this is one of the longest running and most successful festivals in the country. From the spectacular opening parade to the entertaining busking competition, to the magical candlelit nights, this is a memorable festival set in a charming village. It’s also a great choice for family fun, as it features free children’s events, and the whole town gets involved, especially at night when there’s entertainment in the local pubs. Sporting and musical events round out the festival, along with lunch time theatre performances and art exhibitions. And don’t miss the Donkey Derby! You’ll want to stick around at night for the fireworks display as well, which is easy to do if you book a Birr hotel room.

Duncannon Sand Sculpting Festival
August 12-14

When was the last time you made a sand castle? We thought so. Time to head down to County Wexford on Ireland’s beautiful sandy south coast for the Duncannon Sand Sculpting Festival. You may not have time to get your hands sandy as you’ll be too busy gazing in awe at the castles, animals and the wide range of other objects sculpted by the professional sand sculptors. But if you do want to take part in the fun, the amateur sand sculpting competitions are open to the whole family. There’s also a beach party with live entertainment, and the setting of the sun means fireworks. Smaller kids can indulge in storytelling in Duncannon’s Historic fort, and there are also fancy dress competitions. And don’t forget the climbing wall and the tug o war. If you want to see a real castle, Waterford Castle isn’t far away, and Waterford itself, just 19 kilometres distant, offers many hotels whose showers are perfect for washing off the sand.

Terryglass Arts Festival
August 17-21

Heading north to County Tipperary, the Terryglass Arts Festival adds beauty to the already beautiful shoreline of Lough Derg. The Terryglass Arts Festival Committee has been busy through the winter planning a fresh and vibrant festival, and you can see it reflected in the visual arts, dance, theatre, music, poetry, film, storytelling and other performances on display for five days. There’s a gala concert in the Church with Tommy Fleming and many events happening in the pop-up marquee. Local food and drinks and the local shops and people of Terryglass add to the fun. This is simply rural Ireland at its best. The organizers advise you to take advantage of the on-line event booking, as the festival has become quite popular. You may also want to book your hotel room early in one of the many rural villages in the area.

National Heritage Week 2011
August 20-28

If you’re in Ireland the week of August 20-28, you are truly blessed with the luck of the Irish because the whole country will be celebrating! Chances are, no matter what part of the country you’re in, you’ll be near some event marking National Heritage Week, which is basically a country-wide week-long party. Hundreds of events take place in every county. The events run the gamut, from medieval fairs, night time bat walks, classical music, poetry, theatre, traditional music, storytelling, historical re-enactments, local history walks and talks, maritime and coastal events, food fairs, traditional skills workshops and archaeological digs. Most events are free, and many heritage sites and stately homes offer free admission. Just Ireland’s way of sharing its heritage Lucky you. See the website for details, and once you choose your event, you can choose your hotel.

Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival
August 25-28

Thousands of miles from Hollywood and hundreds of miles from London and Switzerland, you wouldn’t think that the County Kerry village of Waterville would have much of a connection with the great Charlie Chaplin. But the truth is that the Little Tramp just loved visiting this quaint seaside village, which has resulted in the first-ever Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival. Josephine Chaplin, Charlie’s daughter, is a patron to the event, giving it a further air of authenticity. The aim is for the Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival to quickly become an international fixture that will bring a smile to Kerry, Ireland and the World. Expect premieres, screenings, parades, talks, workshops, award ceremonies and lots of 1920s-style parties Filmmakers, particularly those working in comedy, are welcome to compete in the festival’s competition, and when the Tramp walks off into the sunset at the end of the night, your comfy bed in your Waterville hotel will be waiting.