Top Seven Reasons to Visit Ireland!

Music and Dance! Kilkenny Arts Festival, Aug. 5 - 14
A 10-day feast of literature, jazz, indie, classical music, visual art, theatre, dance, traditional Irish music, craft, and lots of good craic. Many events take place inside St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny Castle, and other historic attractions, turning the medieval town of Kilkenny into the destination of choice each August.

Storytelling! Cape Clear Island  Storytelling Festival, Sept. 2-4
This unique storytelling festival is set against the stunning scenery of Cape Clear Island. In its 17th year, the festival is celebrated with performances, workshops, tales in island homes and hostels, and story-swaps late into the night.

Literature! West Cork Literary Festival, July 3 - 9
Leading poets, novelists, playwrights, and journalists come to Bantry for an extensive program of literary events and readings. The core of the festival are the writing workshops, including novel, short story, poetry, and writing for the stage complimented by bookshop readings, afternoon seminars, and late night story sessions.

Flowers! Bloom, June 2 - 6
Ireland's largest gardening, food, and family event takes place in Dublin for 5 days in June. Show gardens, floral displays, and a large scale artisan farmers market are all part of the event. Enjoy live cookery and craft demonstrations, free gardening advice/workshops, and dedicated children's activities.

Oysters!  Galway International Oyster Festival, Sept. 21 - 25
The native oyster is celebrated in Galway at both the Galway International Oyster Festival (Sept. 21-25) and the Clarenbridge Oyster Festival (Sept. 9-11). Oyster tastings and trails, a few drinks along the way, and of course the World Oyster Opening Championships at the Galway Festival.

Bluegrass! Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival, Aug. 25 - 28
Music pilgrims come from all over the world come to Dunmore East to listen to authentic bluegrass music. Bands play to ecstatic crowds, spread out comfortably at six venues, both indoors and outdoors. Enjoy fine dining, dancing, and jamming all day and night - a Bluegrass picker's paradise.

Horses! Dublin Horse Show, Aug. 3 - 7
A celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse. The festival includes the best of international show jumping, including the Meydan FEI Nations Cup, the Landrover Puissance, and the Longines International Grand Prix, live music, and the glamour and fashion of Ladies' Day.

We would be happy to help you create a custom itinerary that combines one or more festivals from the list above. Contact us at 1-800-832-1848,  All of our itineraries can be custom designed to cater to your unique interests.


For a 3-minute YouTube video on Ireland, click here.