Summer is a time for sunny weather, having fun and most importantly…festivals! Here’s Emerald’s list of festivals happening in Ireland this summer!
1. Beatyard
This festival is all about music, art and food! It’s taking place in Dún Laoghaire, which is easy to get from the city centre by bus or DART. The festival is happening over the August bank holiday weekend (2-4 August) and features some big name artists such as CHVCHES, Jungle and Soulé. It’s not to be missed!
2. All Together Now
New to the festival game, All Together Now will be hosting its festival in Tullamore, Waterford for the second time. It’s a smaller festival with approximately 15,000 people attending, with more indie, contemporary artists headlining. It’s easy enough to get to from Dublin, there are a number of trains that go every few hours from Heuston and Connolly station to Waterford, and they are usually cheap. In terms of accommodation, no need to worry about that. This is a camping festival so that’s covered! ATN will be on during the bank holiday weekend too. Definitely worth the trip!
3. Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular
Taking place in Dublin’s Merrion Square, Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular is a completely free festival. With over 150 street performances, live music and numerous activities for all ages, this festival is jam packed with fun! It’s taking place from the 12th to the 14th of July, so go with your friends and have a spectacular day!
4. Galway International Arts Festival
Galway International Arts Festival is one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. It attracts crowds from all over the country due to its magnificent performances and displays. With a wide variety of acts such as theatre, music and visual arts, there’s bound to be something for everybody! GIAF has many attractions all around the county, but many of the best ones are based in the city centre. The festival takes place from 15-28 July.
5. Loco Land Festival
Loco Land Festival is Irelands first immersive entertainment festival, with musicians, DJ’s, comedians and of course a game of the famous bingo loco! There will also be carnival rides, a marathon and a Christmas market…yes that’s right, a Christmas market! Come and join the fun on the 13th of July, tickets are from €52 and the event will take place in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.
6. Love Sensation
Love sensation is Dublin’s new, LGBT+ focused, music and arts festival. For its first year, they are boasting a phenomenal line-up, including artists such as Lilly Allen, Clean Bandit and Kelis, as well as some world famous drag queens. It will take place in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham on the 17th & 18th of August. It’s very easy to get to the event, you can get the luas and a number of buses there. Or you can walk! It’s 30 minutes from the city centre on foot.
7. Electric Picnic
Electric Picnic is a music and arts festival that takes place every year in Stradbally Hall in Stradbally, County Laois. This year, the festival begins on the 30th of August and ends on the 1st of September. Headliners include The 1975, Hozier and The Strokes. It is a camping festival so accommodation is covered, all you’ll need is your camping materials. There’s usually a number of bus companies that bring you to and from the festival also, so it’s pretty easy to get there. Due to high demand, tickets are sold out officially, but usually closer to the time people sell their tickets, so keep an eye out!
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