It’s August, and whatever the weather, you should be in a summery frame of mind. With many people on holidays, everything moves at a more leisurely and relaxed pace in August - except, that is, for the festivals. Every town and village in Ireland seems to have its own celebration during August, but the following are some that have stood the test of time and seem to get even better every year.

Feakle International Festival of Traditional Music

Running every August since 1988, Feakle International Festival of Traditional Music is now established on every music lover’s calendar as one of the best events of its kind in the world. Feakle may have a population of just 800, but this Clare town is a hotbed of musical talent. The festival creates a platform for local musicians to demonstrate their musical heritage and provides an opportunity for musicians from other traditional backgrounds to participate in a distinctive musical experience. Annual standout events include the homecoming performance by Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, the tutors’ recital, concerts by the Tulla Ceili Band, the singers session, and the workshops in various traditional instruments. The five-day event covers

music, song, dance, and poetry. For Clare hotels, as well as B&B’s in Clare, GoIreland can make sure you’re in the right place to hear the best traditional music this August.

Puck Fair

Ireland’s oldest festival, Puck Fair is also one of its most peculiar. Held in Killorglin, County Kerry, every August 10th, 11th, and 12th, Puck is probably the only festival in the world that centres on the crowning of a goat. From Gathering Day through Fair Day and Scattering Day (as well as an extra day in 2013 to commemorate four centuries of the event), Killorglin is a riot of colour and activity, as livestock are bought and sold, the streets and pubs ring out to music, and King Puck looks down on it all from his “throne” at the top of the town. The origins of the fair are hazy, but legend has it that the goat was chosen as the honoured guest because one of his ancestors warned the people of Killorglin of the approach of Oliver Cromwell’s marauding troops in 1649. With a range of B&B’s in Killorglin, GoIreland gives you no excuse to miss Puck this year.

Carlingford Oyster Festival

If mollusks are your thing, you’ll love the Carlingford Oyster Festival, which promises four days of oysters and family fun. A highlight is the “Morgan’s Fine Fish Carlingford Oyster Pearl Competition,” in which 12 women complete a range of quirky tasks - from oyster-eating contests to glamming up a sheep - to earn the Oyster Pearl crown. The weekend is packed with lively street entertainment, colourful craft and food stalls, fish-themed menus in local restaurants, a sailing regatta, and guided medieval tours of Carlingford. Kids can look forward to a magic show, sandcastle competitions, a teddy bear’s picnic, free kayaking, a funfair, and an oyster pearl welly hunt on the shores of Carlingford Lough. Sort out your hotel in Louth with GoIreland today. Alternatively, if you prefer the cosiness of a Louth B&B, we can take care of that too.

Kilkenny Arts Festival

Running since 1974, when a group of classical music enthusiasts got together, the Kilkenny Arts Festival has expanded since then to embrace theatre, dance, literature, visual art, craft, and a wide variety of music. The festival focuses on bringing unique and inspiring events in a variety of disciplines to a wide audience. Attracting some 28,000 visitors to Kilkenny each year, it offers ten days of artistic feasting for all. Kilkenny’s medieval setting provides the ideal backdrop for outdoor performances, particularly Shakespeare’s classics, with the world-renowned Globe Theatre Company making two consecutive visits in 2012 and 2013. These performances sell out early, so be sure to book your hotel in Kilkenny as soon as possible.

Rose of Tralee

Launched in 1959, the Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland’s most famous and enduring festivals. It centres on the selection of the Rose of Tralee, which attracts young women of Irish descent from across the globe to Kerry’s county town for a massive celebration of all things Irish. As well as the selection of the Rose, which takes place after two nights of interviews and party pieces at the Dome, the festival is packed with street entertainment, live concerts, theatrical productions, circus performances, a carnival, and fireworks - culminating in the Rose Parade, when the new Rose and her fellow contestants are brought through the town in a final extravaganza. Book your place at the Rose Parade today and let GoIreland take care of your hotel in Tralee. We also have a great selection of Tralee B&Bs.