Festivals and Events [amended 28 November 2009]

There is always something to celebrate from the past in Ireland - most events are just an excuse for drinking! Here are some relevant to the greater Dublin area and beyond:

• January: BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 15-16 Jan 2010. The cream of Irish talent can be seen at the RDS (near Landsdowne Road DART station) and it is well worth a look.
• March: Arklow Music Festival 4-12 March 2009. This is primarily a schools competition and the choral competitions are well worth attending. Arklow is on the Dublin-Rosslaire rail line.
• March: St Patricks Festival. The big one at a town or city in Ireland but especially Dublin. The Saint's day is 17 March.

• May: Dublin International music festival
• May: Vale of Avoca Melody Fair, Co. Wicklow [Avoca is the BBC's location for "Ballykisangel" - end of May] NOTE: This festival is sadly defunct, following a fire at the Vale hotel.
• May: Fleadh Nua, Ennis, Co. Clare. Trad Irish music & culture.
• May: Cork International Choral Festival
• May: West Cork Chamber Music, Bantry. Top artistes and fantastic settings.
• June: Skerries Arts Festival, Co. Dublin
• June: Kildare Derby festival (coincides with Irish major horse race)
• July 1-5 2009; The sixth Walton’s Guitar Festival of Ireland featuring Los Romeros, Grammy award winner David Russell, Flavio Cucchi, KRZYSZTOF Krzysztof Pelech, John Feeley, Andy McKee and many more.
• July: Liberties Festival, Dublin [The Liberties is an area west of St. Patrick's Cathedral).
• July 18-25 2009; Joe Mooney Summer School in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim. Plenty of Ceol agus craic (music and fun)!
• July (end of): Donabate/Portrane Summer Festival, Co. Dublin (easy access by train)
• Late July: Galway Arts. What better excuse to visit the west in July?
• July 31 - August 2: Waterford's Spraoi Street Festival, with plenty of music and entertainment.
• August: Bray International Festival of Dance and Music, Co. Wicklow (easy access by DART). I hope it is happening this year.
• August: Kilkenny Arts Festival 6-15 August 2010
• August 21-23: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann at Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Weekend of trad and the craic is mighty - less than an hour by train from Dublin.
• October: Wexford Opera Festival 20-31 October 2010
• October: Guinness Jazz Festival, Cork 22-25 October 2010
• October: Dublin Theatre Festival 24 September- 11 October 2009
• October: Belfast Festival at Queen's 16-31 October 2009
• December 2-3: Messiah, 8pm at St Patrick's Cathedral, performed by the Culwick Choral Society. NEW

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