If the sound of revving engines is music to your ears, head to Killarney for the May Bank Holiday weekend. One of Ireland’s biggest rallying events, Killarney’s Rally of the Lakes has been attracting leading drivers since 1979, with its promise of exciting action on what must be among the most scenic rally routes in the world. The event takes place over two days, with the focus on the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Now with FIA status, the rally is starting to attract increasing interest from European and American competitors, …
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St. Patrick’s Day 2013: What’s On Where
Whether you’ll have the entire family kitted out in green, white, and gold this St. Patrick’s Day or you’re just looking forward to the opportunity of a day off, March 17 is a big day for everybody in Ireland. And it’s not even just St. Patrick’s Day any more - now the festival can last up to five days, with everything from drumming and dancing to comedy and cooking slotting into the colourful annual arts festival. Wherever you are in the country this St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll find a carnival …
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Best Hotels for Cork Jazz Festival
It’s not all about jazz at this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Runnning from October 26th to 29th, the annual extravaganza has secured such international names as the Roy Hargrove Quintet, Miles Smiles (who plays a double-bill with drumming prodigy Chris Dave), Phronesis, Christine Tobin and Anna Maria Jopek. But you can also hear eclectic alternatives like De La Soul, Cathy Davey, The Walls, The Hot 8 Brass Band, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, and Prince Fatty with Hollie Cook.
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Ballina Salmon Festival 2012
Even if you don’t know one end of a fishing rod from the other, the renowned Ballina Salmon Festival has something for everyone. The annual event attracts thousands of visitors to this picturesque corner of north Mayo for a week of family-friendly fun and entertainment, starting July 8th. The festival is especially popular among visitors from Northern Ireland, with many of them scheduling their family holiday to coincide with the event. And it’s easy to see why: The wide-ranging programme of events includes the Lady of the Moy contest, Mayo’s …
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Bray Summerfest 2012
Most towns are content to run their festivals over one weekend – but not Bray, County Wicklow. The Bray Summerfest runs over five weekends, starting on July 6th 2012, with the final weekend of events starting August 5th. Ireland’s biggest free summer festival, the Summerfest is one of north Wicklow’s main tourist draws and attracted more than 120,000 people in 2011. Even better – it’s free! Enjoy musical acts including Ryan Sheridan, Royseven, and the Original Rudeboys, and much more in a lively, community atmosphere. Themed “Your Summer, Your Festival,” …
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Cairde Festival Sligo 2012
Celebrate diversity in Sligo with the Cairde Festival, from July 1st to 8th. Watch Sligo come alive with a vibrant weeklong explosion of music, theatre, dance, family events, visual art, and much more. Some of this year’s highlights include Yungchen Lhamo in concert with Liam O’Maonlai, Madu, Delicious O’Grady, The Cool Mules, Papagena Puppet Theatre, and a whole lot more. Annual highlights include The Shelly River Boat Race, also part of the Season of Yeats, which is inspired by Jack B. Yeats’s love of model boats. Park Fest is another …
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Kenmare Food Carnival July 2012
Kenmare Food Carnival July 2012 The first Kenmare Food Carnival, July 13 – 15, sounds like a food lover’s fantasy: Imagine a picturesque town set in lush sub-tropical surroundings at the nexus of two famous scenic drives. Imagine that this town is renowned for gourmet cuisine and fresh artisan produce. Now imagine that this Irish food capital decides to mix food with fun and showcase its mouth-watering delights in a festive atmosphere. Welcome to the 2012 Kenmare Food Carnival! The carnival starts on Friday July 13th with afternoon tea at …
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Galway Volvo Ocean Race Finale July 2012
Volvo Ocean Race Finale 3rd - 8th July 2012 Recently voted Ireland’s top holiday destination, Galway welcomes yet more visitors when the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 reaches its dramatic conclusion on Tuesday July 3rd, 2012. This mammoth nine-month race began in Alicante, Spain, on October 29th, 2011, forging its way through the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans before charging to its scheduled finish in Galway on July 3rd. From July 3rd to 8th, the medieval city will become one giant festival venue, anchored by the Race Village and …
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Cork Food Festivals 2012
Cork Food Festivals 2012 Renowned the world over as the gourmet capital of Ireland, Cork leads the way when it comes to food festivals. Spend the rest of the year in a state of culinary bliss by sampling some of the finest locally-grown produce in season prepared by craftspeople who are passionate about food. Throw in spectacular scenery and you’ve truly got a mind-blowing foodie experience! A fine example is the Baltimore Seafood Festival, from May 25th to 27th. Run in conjunction with the Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival, it combines the …
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Live at the Marquee Cork 2012
In a year when music fans will be gasping without Oxegen, Cork’s Live at the Marquee provides a welcome month-long injection of entertainment, with everybody from Tom Petty and Christy Moore to Jedward and Olly Murs set to take to the stage between June 7 and July 7, 2012. Football fans are not forgotten either. Big screens will broadcast Ireland’s European Championship group matches against Croatia, Spain, and Italy on June 10th, 14th, and 18th , accompanied by live music and pre-kick-off and half-time family entertainment. Tickets for the soccer …
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