Popular months for visiting Ireland are July and August, though Belfast tends to close down in July for the marching season. June and September can be pleasant but never count on the weather, for Ireland’s lush beauty is the product of a wet climate. Most tourist sights are open from Easter to September but have restricted opening hours or close in the low season. During spring and summer, festivals are held in honour of everything from food to religion. A common thread is music, and few festivities are complete without musical accompaniment.
Ireland is at its best when it has something to celebrate, so is an inspired choice for Christmas and New Year. Look out for the word fleadh (festival) on your travels but remember, too, that the Irish are a spontaneous people: festivities can spring from the air, or from a tune on a fiddle.
SPRING
St Patrick’s Day is often said to mark the beginning of the tourist season. Later, the spring bank holiday weekend in May, when accommodation is in short supply, is celebrated with music in most places. After the quiet winter months, festivals and events start to become more common.
MARCH
St Patrick’s Day (17 Mar). Parades and pilgrimages held at Downpatrick, Armagh, Dublin, Cork, Limerick and many other places. Jameson International Dublin Film Festival (Feb). International film festival.
Horse Ploughing Match and Heavy Horse Show, Ballycastle (17 Mar). This popular annual competition is more than 100 years old.
APRIL
Feis Ceoil, Dublin (end Mar or early Apr). A classical music festival held at many different venues throughout the city.
Pan Celtic Festival, Letterkenny (mid-Apr). A lively celebration of Celtic culture, with music, dance and song.
Cork Choral Festival (late Apr–May).
MAY
Belfast Civic Festival and Lord Mayor’s Show (mid-May). Street parade with bands and floats. Royal Ulster Agriculture Society Show, Belfast (mid- May). A three-day show with diverse events ranging from sheep-shearing competitions to fashion shows.
“A Taste of Baltimore” Shellfish Festival (end May). Fleadh Nua, Ennis, end May). Four days of traditional Irish music, songs and dance.
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Holidays in Ireland - How to Choose Where To Go, 9 months ago
[...] on life this island is a great place for an activity holiday. It goes without saying that a walking holiday in Ireland will be great. If you’re looking for something a bit different many of Ireland’s [...]
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The Music of Ireland, 9 months ago
[...] and Scottish influences, the music is unmistakably Irish. Dance is an equally important aspect of Irish traditional music, and some of the most popular airs are derived from centuries-old reels, jigs and hornpipes. [...]
[...] on life this island is a great place for an activity holiday. It goes without saying that a walking holiday in Ireland will be great. If you’re looking for something a bit different many of Ireland’s [...]
[...] and Scottish influences, the music is unmistakably Irish. Dance is an equally important aspect of Irish traditional music, and some of the most popular airs are derived from centuries-old reels, jigs and hornpipes. [...]