If you search what to do in Ireland this summer 2024, you’re in luck: the Wild Atlantic Way is celebrating its first decade and among the things not to be missed in this important anniversary year are certainly its numerous festivitiesL. It starts in spring and continues all summer.
It’s worth a rundown at least ten unmissable events which are excellent opportunities to plan a trip at any time of the year in one of the counties that host them.
Check them out in the gallery!
What to do in Ireland this summer 2024: 10 events not to be missed
Whether, therefore, for an immersion in music, a ride among the waves or a feast of oysters, the Wild Atlantic Way with its events it is always an excellent idea for a trip that smells of Ireland and the Atlantic!
There really is something for all tastes: the inevitable music, with different genres and styles, the delicacies of land and sea, sport, art, astronomy and even love! Yes, love can also be found along the Wild Atlantic Way!
1. Ireland BikeFest Killarney (31 May – 2 June), County Kerry
Motorbike enthusiasts from all over the world flock to scenic Killarney for three days of motorbikes and rock music at the Bike Village located less than two kilometers from Killarney town centre, on Muckross Road, in the grounds of the Gleneagle Hotel and INEC Arena . An event that is a party even for those who don’t have a motorbike, but want to grasp its charm and experience the unique warmth of the gatherings. To discover the coast by bike, ride along the Wild Atlantic Way and feast your eyes on the Custom Bike Show.
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2. Sea Sessions (21-23 June), County Donegal
Every summer, a unique mix of music, surfing and sport brings a wave of good vibes to the seaside town of Bundoran on Donegal’s south-west coast, which with its immense beach is a surfing Eden. Be careful, though, the festival is not just about surfing, but lots of other sports: beach volleyball in the sun, knockout football, rugby with friends, morning yoga, swimming…
The musical calendar is super with historical names such as, for example, Johnny Marr, ex Smiths, or the director and DJ Don Letts and emerging artists such as the Irish Kehli and Grooveline. You listen and dance and you can experience the free spirit of the festival even while camping. www.seasessions.com
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3. Earagail Arts Festival (13-28 July), County Donegal
An eclectic and lively mix of music, theatre, circus and entertainment carnival that lights up the far north of the Wild Atlantic Way. The program of the 37th edition is stellar and literally puts Ireland in contact with the world, ranging from the circus arts of Catalonia to the capoeira of Bahia, from the traditions of Tory to the stories of Arranmore, from the blues of Bamako to the blues of Ballybofey. Added value: Letterkenny is the largest town in Donegal, with a rapidly growing cultural vocation, and its proximity to Northern Ireland invites you to take a trip to nearby Derry.
4. West Cork Chamber Music Festival (28 June – 7 July), County Cork
The key word is atmosphere: musicians classics Of fama world they perform in intimate venues, from historic churches to the evocative Bantry House, with its spectacular garden bordering the ocean. Not only concerts, but also master classes and an exhibition-workshop with the possibility of testing dedicated to the art of violin making, with Irish and international artisans.
5. Galway International Arts Festival (15-28 July), Galway city
In 2023, over 400,000 people participated in this creative collision between artists, performers, musicians and more. The numbers shouldn’t be scary: there’s room for everyone in a week. This year too the program boasts stars who have made music history such as, to name a couple, the Police drummer Stewart Copeland or the kings of dance Leftfield.
Eclecticism is the philosophy of this event and an important part will also be that of the theater with titles such as Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece “Endgames”, directed by the extraordinary Irish director, awarded with the Tony Award, Garry Hynes. www.giaf.ie
6. Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival (1-30 September), County Clare
Love is in the air when Europe’s biggest singles festival lights up the colorful village from which it takes its name every year. Who wants to do a meeting has time: the event lasts a month, with music and dancing from 11 in the morning until late, in the company of the best Irish country musicians. Distinctive elements, the endless opportunities to be together and meet new people, between parties at the traffic lights, dances and sessions in pubs. With singles from all over the world, from 18 to 80 years old, everyone is welcome! And to propitiate the magic, daily matchmaking with Matchmaker Willie Daly, the event’s historic matchmaker, in his “office” at the Matchmaker Bar.
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7. Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival (27-29 settembre), citta di Galway
Born in 1954, it inaugurates the new season of indigenous oysters (the Galway flat) and offers a program full of initiatives for everyone: from events of a more culinary nature, with national and international chefs, to the more spectacular ones such as the world oyster opening competition. You can also delight in champagne pairings and have fun with another thing that the Irish excel at: the parade. In this case it is called Masquerade Mardi Gras and fills the medieval streets of the city with colour.
8. Dingle Food Festival (4-6 October), County Kerry
The seaside village that hosts it is an Atlantic enchantment of rare beauty with a passionate vocation for food to be discovered among its alleys that they host shops, pubs, restaurants and shops. During the festival weekend: workshops, cooking demonstrations, courses dedicated to taste and much more. The goal of 2024 is zero waste also with the reusable Festival Pack, accompanied by the motto “Be a Taster, not a Waster”. www.dinglefood.com
9. Guinness Cork Jazz Festival (24-28 October), County Cork
All music in Ireland finds high-level events and the Cork event dedicated to jazz has earned an international echo thanks to a calendar of high-calibre events. The city is the southern gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, with places of great beauty such as the Triskel Art Centre, transforms into a concert hall spread seamlessly between pubs and institutional spaces. Among the names in sight for 2024, the American Grammy Gregory Porter. The direct flight from Italy is an opportunity to plan a weekend in which to discover the unique atmosphere of this event. Strongly recommended to book in advance.
10. Mayo Dark Sky Festival, (1-3 November), County Mayo
Among the records linked to Irish nature there is also that of the very low light pollution which, in particular along the Wild Atlantic Way, offers the possibility of finding some of the best places in the world in which to observe the stars, enjoying, for example, all the wonder of the milky way which in many parts of the globe can only be partially understood due to too much light. The first festival focused on astronomy, but the event has since expanded to cover all topics related to dark skies, including culture, wellbeing and biodiversity, also to raise awareness of the impact of light pollution and on its effects. In addition to astronomy sessions, therefore, moments of meeting, walks to observe the stars, music, art and moments of observation and listening dedicated to nocturnal fauna
Photo www.irlanda.com
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