No matter what the time of year, Ireland offers plenty to see and do. Jeanne Quigley reports
Apart from scenery that ranges from the drama of the cliffs in the west, to the roll of the Wicklow Mountains, the beaches of Donegal and the spectacular Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, there is a never-ending season of festivals and things to do.
Visitors can choose from music festivals that include traditional Irish music, pop concerts and folk; food festivals offering seafood, oysters and mussels; and sporting activities including surfing, car racing, sailing and rock climbing.
Adventure Tour, County Kerry
The Adventure Kerry Tour brings many outdoor activities together in a packed week-long itinerary that is aimed at people of average fitness, so you don’t need to be Superman.
This guided adventure tour takes you around the Ring of Kerry, combining walking in Killarney National Park, mountain biking around the world-famous Gap of Dungloe, sea kayaking in Kenmare Bay, climbing Ireland’s highest mountain Carrauntoohill (1,039 metres) and visiting the Skelligs, eight miles from the coast.
Tour dates for this year are May 10, June 14, July 19, August 16 and September 6.
Web:Irish Adventures
Nearest airport:Kerry
Horse-drawn Caravan Holidays, County Mayo
Taking a horse-drawn caravan holiday allows you to leave all your cares and worries behind. The covered wagon has self-catering facilities for four people, and you and your horse decide the pace.
Every day, a three-hour journey will bring you to a small village or selected farm sites for the overnights, while at night you can enjoy the music in real Irish pubs.
Web:Cresta Holidays | horsedrawn.mayonet
Nearest airport: Knock
Strawberry Fair Festival, County Wexford
Luscious strawberries are the reason for this festival that takes place every year during June and July in Enniscorthy town. As well as strawberry tasting and eating, there is street entertainment, music, theatre and markets.
The festival is very family friendly with entertainment for the kids, a farm and craft market. Highlights include the Festival Ball and the Crowning of the Festival Queen. The main festival takes place from June 23-25.
Web: Strawberry Festival
Nearest airport: Waterford
Smithwicks Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, County Kilkenny
June bank holiday weekend sees the summer festival season get off to a flying start with the Smithwicks Cat Laughs Comedy Festival.
From May 29 to June 2, the city of Kilkenny will be choc-a-bloc with some of Ireland’s best stand-up talent, including Barry Murphy, Dara O’Briain, Ardal O’Hanlon and Ed Byrne, who will be joined by an international line-up.
Don’t miss the comics’ football match between Ireland and the rest of the world.
Web:Smithwick’s Cat Laughs Comedy Festival
Nearest airport: Waterford
Sean Nos Traditional Festival, County Sligo
This is a little hidden gem festival. Its first outing last year was an outstanding success.
Although Sean Nos implies unaccompanied Irish traditional singing, this festival embraces all things traditional and Irish.
Some of the country’s finest singers, musicians, poets and storytellers will descend on the small town of Rathcormac for the three-day event from May 9-11.
Web: Cos Cos Sean-Nos Festival
Nearest airport:Sligo
International Oyster Festival, County Galway
The Galway Oyster Festival began way back in September 1954, with just 34 guests. This year, thousands of people will travel to Galway City to celebrate the oyster.
Special events include the Irish Oyster Opening Championships, the Mardi Gras party and a line-up of top-class Irish and International artists for a week of non-stop entertainment and partying.
The Oyster Pearl competition offers a chance for a personable and talented young lady to become the face of the festival and win a string of cultured pearls.
The festival runs from September 25-28. The official opening is on September 27 with a parade through Eyre Square.
Web:Galway International Oyster Festival.
Nearest airport: Galway
Fourth Annual ‘Folk in the ark’ Music Festival, County Tyrone
Celebrate traditional music, story-telling, song and dance as the Ulster American Folk Park museum in Omagh is transformed into a haven for musicians and music lovers.
By day, stroll around the museum, which tells the story of emigration during the 18th and 19th centuries, and enjoy performances of a host of international acts or book your ticket for the ceilidh supper on May 17.
Web:Ulster American Folk Park
Nearest airport: City of Derry
Electric Picnic, County Laois
This three-day festival (August 29-31) began as a one-day event in 2004.
The rolling lawns of Stradbally Hall, just an hour from Dublin in the quaint little town of Stradbally, County Laois, provide the perfect setting for a feast of music, entertainment and food.
The music is eclectic and the emphasis is on quality festival services, such as food and sleeping arrangements. Other attractions include the 24-hour cinema tent, the Body and Soul area and an international comedy event.
Web:Electric Picnic
Nearest airport:Dublin
Auld Lammas Fair, County Antrim
Did you treat your Mary Ann to some dulse and yellowman,
At the Auld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle-O?
This famous song introduces not just the Auld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle but two of the traditional delights available, dulse, dried edible seaweed and yellowman – deliciously sweet chewy toffee.
Originally this 400-year-old event was a place where masters hired servants. Events now include horse trading, street entertainment and 400 market stalls.
This year’s festival takes place between August 23 and 25.
Web: moyle-council.org
Nearest airport:Belfast International
Learn to surf, County Antrim, Cork, Waterford, Donegal or Kerry
If festivals aren’t your thing, how about heading out to the coast and catching some waves?
Surfing has become a major sport in Ireland and there are approved surfing schools from Portrush in County Antrim around Donegal and all along the west coast, to Kerry and Cork in the south and Waterford in the southeast.
Beginner and intermediate surfers use Tullan, Streedagh and Rossnowlagh beaches, while there are plenty of quality reef breaks for the more experienced.
Web:Irish Surfing Association
Nearest airport:Derry, Donegal or Knock.
