Summer Celebrations Sweep Ireland
Ireland is going to be packed with summer festivals and events for tourists, so if you are planning to go over, get your calendar out and mark these dates.
Literary types would be ashamed to miss the Bloomsday Festival on June 16, which is hosted by the James Joyce Cultural Centre on 35 North Great Georges Street in Dublin. But because you can’t do Joyce justice in a day, the festival actually begins on June 12, culminating in a full day of events on June 16.
The Joyce Tower at Sandycove will be open all day from 8am-6pm.
The Ballybunion Bachelor Festival in Kerry promises to be a hilarious time for all, with 20 shortlisted bachelors all competing for the title of Bachelor of the Year. The festival lasts about two weeks and is expected to take place in June, but the dates are not yet confirmed. Check with the Irish Tourist Board for the latest scheduling announcements, their number is 1-800-223-6470.
The Galway Arts Festival is one of Europe’s biggest and most exciting cultural events. This summer it celebrates its 25th year. Taking place across the city from July 15 - July 27, the festival is packed with music, theatre and dance.
The Rose of Tralee turns 45 this year, and has been getting progressively more popular with age. Considering that last year an Italian Rose won, and the previous year an Aussie took the prize, perhaps this year will see a return to form with an American Rose taking the crown. In any case, the five-day contest begins August 22 and runs until August 26 in Tralee, Kerry.
If you have any luck on your side, then you want to head to the West of Ireland to place your bets. The legendary Galway Races kicks off on July 28 and runs until August 3. Aside from lots of excitement, food and drink there is also something for the highbrow horsie-types. The best-dressed award is handed out each year, and some of the ladies could put the runways of Milan to shame.
The Witnness Festival is Ireland’s biggest concert festival of the year. Taking place at Fairyhouse racecourse in Ratoath, Co. Meath, this year’s lineup includes Coldplay, The Manic Street Preachers, Badly Drawn Boy, The Revs, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Underworld.
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