Ireland’s biggest and most famous racing festival, the Galway Races are the highlight of many a summer diary. From July 30th to August 4th, the racecourse at Ballybrit radiates excitement, as heart-thumping action, adrenaline-pumping finishes, and eyebrow-raising fashion set pulses racing. For racing enthusiasts, the cream of the world’s horses promise seven days of unrivalled action. The festival features 49 races, with the prize fund topping €2 million for the first time this year. The renowned Galway Plate, on the third day of the meeting, is the central race in …
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Pig ‘N’ Porter Tag Rugby Festival 2012
Now in its 11th year, the Pig ‘N’ Porter festival in Rosbrien, Limerick, features the biggest tag rugby event in the world. Held by Old Crescent RFC, in association with the Irish Tag Rugby Association, the 2012 event will be held on Saturday July 14th and involve 130 teams. If you are one of the 4,500-plus people expected to attend, you will be welcomed with live music and great food. The all-important pig will be kept roasting on a spit in anticipation of the legendary Pig ‘n’ Porter BBQ. This …
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Westport Best Place to Live in Ireland
Westport, Co Mayo, has been declared the Best Place to Live in Ireland. Irish Times judges selected the so-called Venice of the West from a shortlist featuring Cork city, Rathmines in Dublin, Ardara in Donegal, and Killarney, Co Kerry. The Irish Times asked readers to explain the appeal of the place they lived, resulting in the nomination of 563 towns from Ireland’s 32 counties, but, when the shortlist was drawn up, Westport’s scenic beauty, organised community, and sustainability gave it the ultimate advantage. John O’Callaghan made what judges described as …
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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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Clonmel Junction Festival 2012
Clonmel hosts its 12th annual arts festival this July 6th to 15th. The Clonmel Junction Festival offers an eclectic mix of theatre, family fun, comedy, circus, dance, rock, world music, and plenty of free entertainment. This year marks a new departure for the festival because, instead of using the Chadwicks building as a hub, performances will be held in a range of venues around the town, as well as in a selection of interactive café spaces. With the London Olympics looming, the theatre programme centres on British theatre and features …
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Make a Move Festival Limerick 2012
The country’s most dynamic dance, rap, and street artists are preparing to flock to Limerick City for the Make A Move Hip-Hop festival from July 5th to 8th this year. Local dance crew Limerockers have invited such international dance collaborators as breakdancer Bboy and Tommy Guns, from the Renegade Rockers. A major street art exhibition will light up the Pery Square area, and the Peoples Park will host the Park Paint Parade on July 7th. Look forward to DJs, fire eaters, food stalls, and demonstrations by the country’s best graffiti …
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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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Irish Open Portrush 2012
The Irish Open returns to Northern Ireland this summer when the high-profile event is staged at Royal Portrush from June 28th to July 1st. The prestigious competition has not been held in Northern Ireland since 1953, but this year it’s Royal Portrush’s chance to shine, with its world-class links course set to showcase the talents of some of the world’s best golfers. Northern Irish natives Rory McIlroy (2011 US Open Champion), Darren Clarke (the Open Champion 2011) and Graeme McDowell (2010 US Open Champion) will all be competing against the …
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Westport Festival of Music & Performing Arts 2012
Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts is a grown-up festival for genuine music lovers. Staged on Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th in the grounds of the historic Westport House in Mayo, this festival celebrates the very best local and international rock, folk, Celtic, and acoustic sounds. Enjoy everything from crowd-pulling rock concerts on the main stage to intimate singer-songwriter performances in the acoustic arena. Acts include Ray Davies, Jools Holland and his special guest Marc Almond, Seasick Steve, Imelda May, The Chieftains, Beth Orton, Lloyd Cole, Tom …
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