Holiday in Clare
Festivals in county Clare
County Clare provides a large number of festivals. Some of them just take one day, others a weekend, a week or even a month. There is also a broad range of subjects: drama, nature, Law, traditional music, literature and so on. Something for everybody. And you can find the festivals in almost every corner of county Clare!
I hope that this overview gives you a good picture of the available festivals.
N.B.
All recommend accommodation is located within a range of about 10 kilometers as the crow flies. Other accommodation is located within a range of about 5 or 10 kilometers as the crow flies. I am working on it to bring the range to 10 kilometers for all festivals.
2008
April
Date: 2 April - 30 April [the better part of April]
Name: Burren in Bloom
Place: Ballyvaughan
On offer: A festival with music, folklore and craft-workshops to celebrate the botanic riches of The Burren. This festival aims on one side to show how beautiful The Burren is in spring and on the other side how the specific characteristics of The Burren influenced live and living now and in the past.
More information:
- website: http://www.ballyvaughanireland.com
- website: http://www.ballyvaughantourism.com
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 7077077
Recommended accommodation:
- Burren View (Newtown, B&B)
- Rusheen Lodge Guest House (Ballyvaughan, Guesthouse)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ballyvaughan and Newtown.
May
Date: 2 May - 4 May
Name: Burren Law School
Place: Ballyvaughan
Location: Burren School of Arts
On offer: A series of lectures upon Law in combination with music and entertainment.
More information:
- website: http://www.burrenlawschool.org
Recommended accommodation:
- Burren View (Newtown, B&B)
- Rusheen Lodge Guest House (Ballyvaughan, Guesthouse)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ballyvaughan and Newtown.
Date: 3 May - 5 May [early May]
Name: PJ Hayes Memorial Weekend
Place: Feakle
On offer: a weekend-festival of traditional music to commemorate the violin-player P. Joe Hayes, who died in 2001. On the program are amongst other activities a Memorial Service, several traditional sessions and a ceili with music of the Tulla Ceili Band, of which P. Joe Hayes was bandleader for several decades.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 924322
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Feakle. Scariff and Tulla are further away.
Date: 18 May - 26 May [starting the third Sunday in May]
Name: Fleadh Nua Ennis
Place: Ennis
On offer: A festival with traditional Irish entertainment like ceili, concerts, workshops, sessions and street-theatre.
More information:
- website: http://www.fleadhnua.com
- phone: 00 353 (0)86 8260300
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: 24 May - 2 June
Name: Iniscealtra Festival of Arts
Place: Mountshannon
On offer: A certain theme (not yet known) that reflects in art, music, performances, lectures, workshops, exhibitions and other activities.
More information:
- website: http://www.iniscealtra-artsfestival.org
- phone: 00 353 (0)87 2686764
Recommended accommodation:
- Hawthorn Lodge B&B (Mountshannon, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Mountshannon. Scariff is further away.
June
Date: 30 May - 2 June [Bank Holiday Weekend June]
Name: Doonbeg International Jazz Festival
Place: Doonbeg
Location: several pubs
On offer: performances of Irish and international Jazz artists
More information:
- website: http://www.doonbegjazz.com
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 - 9055039
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Doonbeg, Kilkee and Cree.
Date: not yet known
Name: Lá Na Lochannaigh (Viking Day)
Place: Tuamgraney
On offer: unknown
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)61 - 921351
Recommended accommodation:
- Clareville House (Tuamgraney, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Scariff, Tuamgraney and Ogonnelloe.
Date: 23 June
Name: Spancil Hill Fair
Place: Ennis
Location: Spancil Hill
On offer: A centuries old horse fair (probably held for the first time in 1600 AD), immortalized by the famous song. Concurrent with the horse fair there is a normal fair, farmers market, horse show, dog and cat show, show jumping, food and music.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 6835483
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Ennis.
July
Date: 2 June - 6 June
Name: Feile Brian Ború Festival
Place: Killaloe
On offer: A yearly five-day festival to honour Irelands greatest and most famous High King. On the program amongst others a table quiz, streetparade, a hurling game between Killaloe (county Clare) and twin city Ballina (county Tipperary), craft-workshops, fireworks and a art trail.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)86 3586293
Recommended accommodation:
- Derg House (Killaloe, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Killaloe and O'Brienbridge. Ballina and Birdhill (both county Tipperary) are close by but not in the list of accommodation!
Date: 4 June - 13 June
Name: Armada International Week of Set Dancing
Place: Spanish Point
Location: Armada Hotel
On offer: 19 Ceili's in 10 days with international renown bands and performers.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 708 4110
Recommended accommodation:
- Burke's Armada Hotel (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, hotel, organizer)
- Atlantic Lodge (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- Barker's Bed & Breakfast (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, B&B and Camping)
- Blue Horizons (Ballyvaskin North/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- San Antone (Drummin/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- Sea Crest Farmhouse B&B (Quilty, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Milltown Malbay, Spanish Point and Quilty. Mullagh is a bit further away.
Date: 5 July - 13 July [start first Saturday in July]
Name: Willie Clancy Summer School
Place: Milltown Malbay, Spanish Point, Quilty and surroundings
On offer: lectures, seminars, recitals, more than 100 workshops and courses and roughly 200 traditional sessions
Price tag (2007): Lectures € 6, recitals and ceilis € 10, week-registration for workshops and courses € 140 (inclusive of 50% discount on ceilis), traditional sessions free
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 708 4148
Recommended accommodation:
- Atlantic Lodge (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- Barker's Bed & Breakfast (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, B&B and Camping)
- Blue Horizons (Ballyvaskin North/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- San Antone (Drummin/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- Sea Crest Farmhouse B&B (Quilty, B&B)
- Burke's Armada Hotel (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, hotel)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Milltown Malbay, Spanish Point and Quilty. Mullagh is a bit further away.
Date: 21 July - 16 August
Name: Summer Music on the Shannon
Place: Ennis [and Limerick]
On offer: This festival is dedicated to classical music. Musicians of all ages and levels of archievement will be able to take part in workshops and short courses under international renowned tutors. A string of concerts will take place in Ennis and Limerick.
More information:
- website: http://www.summermusicontheshannon.com
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: not yet known
Name: International Pipe Band Association Championship
Place: Ennis
Location: Ennis Showgrounds
On offer: A competition with around 80 pipe bands, who will compete for several international prizes. The championship will be closed with a street parade in full costume.
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: not yet known
Name: Ennis Street Festival
Place: Ennis
On offer: A multi-culturalfestival with street artist of every kind (amongst others living statues, musicians, acrobats, salsa dancers and storytellers) all over the centre of Ennis.
More information:
- website: http://www.ennisstreetfestival.com
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 6893966
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: 23 June - 27 June
Name: Chess Festival Summer Camp
Place: Knockerra Village (near Kilrush)
Location: Knockerra Hall
On offer: A week filled with chess. There will be two sessions each day. One for total beginners from 5pm to 6.30 pm each evening. The second session is for the "advanced group" and will be held from 7pm to 8.30pm. The second session is for players who already have the basic knowledge of chess and want to learn openings, tactics and endgames. Chess is taught in a fun way. At the end of the week kids will be awarded with trophies and medals.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)87 9777011 (Connie)
- e-mail: connie@westclarechess.com
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Burrane, Kilrush and Kilmurry McMahon, but these places are a bit further away.
Date: not yet confirmed [third weekend in July]
Name: Loop Head Gathering
Places: Kilbaha and Cross
On offer: A sporting festival with amongst others curragh-races on the Shannon, hay shelf throwing, a cultural parade and the John Kelly Memorial Concert.
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Kilbaha and Carrigaholt. Doonbeg. Kilkee and Doonaha are a bit further away.
Date: not yet known
Name: Sixmilebridge Summer Festival
Place: Sixmilebridge
Locations: marquee and pubs
On offer: A combination of music, arts and kids-activities.
Recommended accommodation:
- Bunratty Arms (Bunratty, B&B)
- Balally House B&B (Shannon, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Sixmilebridge, Cratloe, Shannon (partly within range) and Bunratty.
Date: not yet known
Name: Clarecastle Ceili at the Crossroads
Place: Clarecastle
On offer: Originally a set-dancing festival but nowadays there is also room for singing and music, still in the open air (weather permitting).
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 - 6820232
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: not yet known
Name: Peadar Clancy Festival
Place: Cranny
On offer: A street parade, field day, disco (the DJ is the parish priest!), music and dancing.
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Kilmurry McMahon, Lissycasey and Kilmihil but these places are a bit further away.
August
Date: not yet confirmed [start of August]
Name: Kildysart Cultural Festival
Place: Kildysart
On offer: car treasure hunt, table quiz, Dermot Power Memorial 5k Road Race, fancy dress parade, cultural parade, music and dancing
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Ballynacalla. Lissycasey is a bit further away.
Date: 1 August - 3 August [first weekend in August]
Name: Scariff Harbour Festival
Place: Scariff
On offer: A three-day open air festival promoting the many (water-related) amenities and attractions around Lough Derg. Because the Shannon crosses the border on his way to the sea, is there also ample attention to the North-South-relations.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)61 921028
Recommended accommodation:
- Clareville House (Tuamgraney, B&B)
- Hawthorn Lodge B&B (Mountshannon, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Scariff and Tuamgraney. Mountshannon and Ogonnelloe are a little bit further away.
Date: 3 August - 8 August [starts first Sunday in August]
Name: Rose of Clare
Place: Cooraclare and Cree
On offer: one of the oldest family-festivals in county Clare around the selection of the "Rose of Clare" (beauty pageant) for the "Rose of Tralee Festival". Also Bonny Baby and Glamorous Granny pageant. Other activities include bingo, kiddies disco, football and a song contest.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)86 - 0536615
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Cooraclare and Cree. Kilmihil and Kilrush are a bit further away.
Date: not yet confirmed [Bank Holiday Weekend August]
Name: Festival of Fun
Place: Kilmihil
On offer: among others a vintage rally, field day, bonham racing and a parade
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)86 3633998
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Kilmihil. Cree and Cooraclare are a bit further away.
Date: not yet confirmed [Bank Holiday Weekend Augustus]
Name: Merriman Festival
Place: Killanena
On offer: A mixture of popmusic and traditional music
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)61 925148
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Feakle and Scariff, but these places are a bit further away. Maybe there is accommodation closer by in county Galway but I have not listed that.
Date: nog niet bevestigd [Augustus]
Name: Kilfenora Cultural Festival
Place: Kilfenora
On offer: among others guided botanical tours, set dancing, workshops and a monster ceili.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 7088004
Recommended accommodation:
- Kilfenora Hostel (Kilfenora, Hostel)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Kilfenora. Kilshanny, Ennistymon, Corofin and Lisdoonvarna are a bit further.
Date: 6 August - 12 August
Name: Feakle International Traditional Music Festival
Place: Feakle
On offer: 5 days of traditional music, singing, dancing and drama with workshops, lectures, concerts, ceilis, set dancing, sessions and open air activities
More information:
- website: http://www.feaklefestival.ie
- e-mail: info@feaklefestival.ie
- phone: 00 353 (0)61 924322
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Feakle. Scariff and Tulla are further away.
Date: 11 August - 17 August
Name: Doonbeg Family Festival
Place: Doonbeg
On offer: not yet known
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Doonbeg, Kilkee and Cree.
Date: 13 August - 15 August [mid August]
Name: Eigse Mrs Crotty
Place: Kilrush
On offer: A festival and courses dedicated to the art of playing the concertina and the musical heritage of Elizabeth Crotty
More information:
- website: http://www.eigsemrscrotty.com
- phone: 00 353 (0)87 2940985
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Kilrush.
Date: not yet confirmed [starts the third Sunday in August]
Name: Merriman Summer School
Place: Lisdoonvarna
On offer: The Merriman Summer School offers, since 1967, a package of lectures, seminars, dancing lessons and music to honour the 18th century poet Brian Merriman. With the festival one like to encourage interest in the poet, the history and traditions of Thomond (the ancient Munster district that among others includes county Clare) and the Irish culture.
More information:
- website: http://www.merriman.ie
- e-mail: eolas@merriman.ie
- phone: 00 353 (0)86 3820671
Recommended accommodation:
- Ritz, The (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
- Kincora House & Artgallery (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
- Blackbridge House (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
- Trildoon House (Doolin, B&B)
- O'Connors Guesthouse (Doolin, Guesthouse)
- Seascape B&B (Doolin, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Lisdoonvarna, Kilshanny and Doolin.
Date: 8 August - 11 August [not yet confirmed]
Name: Kilmurry Harvest Festival
Place: Kilmurry
On offer: Activities will include dancing on the crossroads, bingo, street bowling and for the kids five-a-side mixed soccer blitz and arts & crafts.
More information:
- website: http://www.kilmurry.com
Recommended accommodation:
- Bunratty Arms (Bunratty, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Sixmilebridge.
Date: 21 August - 25 August [not yet confirmed]
Name: Carrigaholt Family Festival
Place: Carrigaholt
On offer: among others open air dancing sessions, West Clare Mini Triathlon, Donkey Derby and sheaf throwing
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Carrigaholt. Kilbaha, Doonbeg, Kilkee and Doonaha are a bit further away.
Date: 24 August - 1 September
Name: National Heritage Week
Place: several places throughout the county
On offer: This Week is an European Project to promote the rich and varied cultural heritage in Europe and county Clare in particular.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 1850 200878
September
Date: 5 September - 6 October [the whole month of September]
Name: Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
Place: Lisdoonvarna
Location: every hotel, pub and restaurant
On offer: A varied program of music, dance and entertainment with the aim of matchmaking between singles. (Still successful and resulting in marriages).
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 7074005
Recommended accommodation:
- Ritz, The (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
- Kincora House & Artgallery (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
- Blackbridge House (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
- Trildoon House (Doolin, B&B)
- O'Connors Guesthouse (Doolin, Guesthouse)
- Seascape B&B (Doolin, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Lisdoonvarna, Kilshanny and Doolin.
Date: 5 September - 7 September [first weekend of September]
Name: Nell Galvin Festival
Place: Moyasta
On offer: workshops for beginners and improvers on fiddle, tin whistle, bodhrán and flute; a Memorial Mass and several concerts
More information:
- website: http://www.westclare.com
- e-mail: maryhaughmoyasta@eircom.net
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 9051597
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Lisdeen and Kilrush. Cooraclare, Kilkee and Doonbeg are a bit further away.
Date: 5 September - 7 September [first weekend of September]
Name: Dan Furey Set Dancing Festival
Place: Labasheeda
On offer: streetparade, ceilis and set dancing workshops
More information:
- website: http://www.labasheeda.net
- phone: 00 353 (0)87 9672441
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Kilmurry McMahon.
Date: not yet confirmed [second weekend in September]
Name: Cois Fharraighe
Place: Kilkee (music and water sports) and Spanish Point (surfing)
Location: Marquee at the G.A.A.-grounds (Kilkee), the beach (Kilkee and Spanish Point)
On offer: A three-day surf- and music festival. A wide range of water sport activities will be held in Kilkee Bay while an official "Surfing Event" will be held in Spanish Point.
More information:
- website: http://www.coisfharraige.com
Recommended accommodation Kilkee:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Kilkee. Doonbeg, Doonaha and Carrigaholt are a bit further away.
Recommended accommodation Spanish Point:
- Burke's Armada Hotel (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, hotel, organizer)
- Atlantic Lodge (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- Barker's Bed & Breakfast (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, B&B and Camping)
- Blue Horizons (Ballyvaskin North/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- San Antone (Drummin/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- Sea Crest Farmhouse B&B (Quilty, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Milltown Malbay, Spanish Point and Quilty. Mullagh is a bit further away.
Date: not yet confirmed [second weekend in September]
Name: Tulla Traditional Music Festival
Place: Tulla
On offer: music, singing and dancing with ceilis, workshops, Sean Nos style dancing and sessions.
More information:
- website: http://www.tullatradfestival.com
- e-mail: bpmol@eircom.net
- phone: 00 353 (0)87 8350996
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placename Tulla. O'Callaghansmills is a bit further away.
Date: not yet confirmed [third weekend in September]
Name: Clare Shout Festival - Gair An Chlair
Place: Kilkishen
On offer: amongst others a field day, fireworks, lectures, storytelling, music, dancing and of course the 'Clare Shout' Competition
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)61 367516
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Tulla and O'Callaghansmills, but these places are a bit further away.
Date: 26 September - 28 September [last weekend in September
Name: Seisiun na h-Eireann
Place: Quin
Location: several pubs with the final round in the Community Hall
On offer: a weekend filled with traditional music. The pub session competition has prizes for the winner, the runner-up and the best Foreign Contestant. Besides that there are several other activities like a duck race, tug of war, historical tour and ceili.
More information:
- website: http://www.besttradsession.com
- e-mail: festival@besttradsession.com
- phone: 00 353 87 6371163
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Quin and Dromoland. Newmarket on Fergus and Ennis are a bit further away.
Date: 26 September - 28 September
Name: Leon XIII festival
Place: Quilty
On offer: A festival to commemorate the loss in 1907 of the French sailing ship "Leon XIII" and the following rescue of the crew by the Quilty fishermen, who braved the storm in their fragile curraghs. Het program contains among others sport for the kids, set dancing workshops, music, curragh racing and a commemorative Mass.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)87 1355738
Recommended accommodation:
- Sea Crest Farmhouse B&B (Quilty, B&B)
- Burke's Armada Hotel (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, hotel)
- Atlantic Lodge (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, B&B)
- Barker's Bed & Breakfast (Spanish Point/Milltown Malbay, B&B and Camping)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Quilty, Spanish Point and Milltown Malbay. Mullagh is a bit further away.
October
Date: 3 October - 6 October
Name: Queen of The Burren Festival Weekend
Place: Lisdoonvarna
On offer: pageant for Mr. Lisdoonvarna and the Queen of the Burren
Recommended accommodation:
- Ritz, The (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
- Kincora House & Artgallery (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
- Blackbridge House (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
- Trildoon House (Doolin, B&B)
- O'Connors Guesthouse (Doolin, Guesthouse)
- Seascape B&B (Doolin, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Lisdoonvarna, Kilshanny and Doolin.
Date: not yet confirmed [whole month of October]
Name: The Burren Project
Place: Ballyvaughan
On offer: yet unknown
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)86 2409080
Recommended accommodation:
- Burren View (Newtown, B&B)
- Rusheen Lodge Guest House (Ballyvaughan, Guesthouse)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ballyvaughan and Newtown.
Date: not yet known
Name: Children's Book Festival
Place: the whole of county Clare
Locations: Public Libraries
On offer: Activities will include readings, storytellers, workshops and author visits; all with the purpose to promote reading and childrens books.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 684 6363 (De Valera Library, Ennis)
Date: 20 October - 25 October
Name: Ennis Fashion Week
Place: Ennis
On offer: exact program not yet known
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: 24 October - 27 October [last weekend in October]
Name: Willie Keane Memorial Weekend
Place: Doonbeg
On offer: A weekend to promote traditional music, singing and dancing in remembrance of Willie Keane, one of de leading man in set dancing and sean nos style dancing. On the program amongst others concerts, pub sessions and ceilis.
More information:
- website: http://www.williekeanememorialweekend.com
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 9055208
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Doonbeg, Kilkee and Cree.
November
Date: 7 November - 10 November [second week of November]
Name: Ennis Trad Festival
Place: Ennis
Locations: Auburn Lodge Hotel, Temple Gate Hotel, Queen's Hotel, Old Ground Hotel, The Barge Rooms, Glór, West County Hotel and a large number of pubs
On offer: concerts, CD-launches, workshops for music, dance and singing, table quiz and over hundred sessions.
More information:
- website: http://www.ennistradfestival.com
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: Not yet known
Name: Doonbeg One-Act Drama Festival
Place: Doonbeg
Location: Doonbeg Hall
On offer: 9 different one-act plays in three nights by groups from county Clare and elsewhere in Ireland.
More information:
- e-mail: ritamcinerney@vodafone.ie
- phone: 00 353 (0)87 6774907
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Doonbeg, Kilkee and Cree.
Date: Not yet known
Name: One World Week
Place: Scariff
On offer: An arts festival with the theme of human rights, power and justice, organized by the Fishbowl Youth Club
Recommended accommodation:
- Clareville House (Tuamgraney, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Scariff and Tuamgraney. Mountshannon and Ogonnelloe are a little bit further away.
December
Date: yet unknown [December]
Name: Ballyvaughan Christmas Festival
Place: Ballyvaughan
On offer: a three-week festival with Christmas Market, workshops in Christmas decorations, cooking classes, choir recitals and concerts.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 7077377
Recommended accommodation:
- Burren View (Newtown, B&B)
- Rusheen Lodge Guest House (Ballyvaughan, Guesthouse)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ballyvaughan and Newtown.
2009
January
Date: 11 January - 13 January
Name: Winter Music Festival Weekend
Place: Sixmilebridge
On offer: a weekend filled with music in several styles (o.a. blues, classical, jazz, bluegrass, set dancing, morris dancing, folk, traditional) and singer sessions
More information:
- website: http://www.wmw.ie
- telephone: 00 353 (0)86 845 4509
Recommended accommodation:
- Bunratty Arms (Bunratty, B&B)
- Balally House B&B (Shannon, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Sixmilebridge, Cratloe, Shannon (partly within range) and Bunratty.
February
Date: 27 February - 1 March [weekend starting on the last Friday of February]
Name: Russell Memorial Weekend
Place: Doolin
On offer: This yearly music festival started in 1995 as a memorial ceremony for Micho Russell, the world famous musician who died in 1994. Nowadays it is a mix of memorial (inclusive of a visit to the graveyard where Micho and his musical brothers are buried) and pleasure with music and dance in every location available in Doolin.
More information:
- website: http://www.micho-russellweekend.ie
- e-mail: info@michorussellweekend.ie
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 7074595
Recommended accommodation:
- Trildoon House (Doolin, B&B)
- O'Connors Guesthouse (Doolin, Guesthouse)
- Ritz, The (Lisdoonvarna, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Doolin and Lisdoonvarna (partly within range).
Date: 22 February - 1 March (not confirmed) [week starting on last sunday of February]
Name: Corofin Tradidional Music Festival
Place: Corofin
On offer: An one-week festival for traditional music
More information:
- website: http://www.corofintradfest.com
- phone: 00 353 (0)86 6070941
Recommended accommodation:
- Coher House (Corofin, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Corofin and Kilfenora.
Date: not yet known if the festival was a once-off or not
Name: Ted Fest Kilfenora 08
Place: Kilfenora
On offer: activities will included an Opening Ceremony & Blessing, a Chinese Reception, Ecumeniceili Dance, Milk Float & Banger Parade, 1st All-Ireland Blondes-only Snakes and Ladder Championship, Acoustic Karaoke, Elvis Lookalike contest and a Ted Trail Day. This second Father Ted-festival is organized in Kilfenora because several episodes of the series were shot nearby and many people from Kilfenora played there part as extras in the series.
Recommended accommodation:
- Kilfenora Hostel (Kilfenora, Hostel)
Other accommodation within about 5 kilometer can be found on the searchpage under the placename Kilfenora. Killshanny, Ennistymon, Corofin and Lisdoonvarna are a bit further.
Date: 28 February - 2 March [not yet confirmed]
Name: TedFest 08 (Father Ted Festival)
Place: Inis Mór (Aran Islands)
On offer: A weekend full activities to honour the famous TV-series Father Ted. Activities include a cabaret Night, a Dermot Morgan Memorial, Priest and Nuns five-a-side soccer, Buckaroo Speed dating, Lovely Girls Competition, The Old Grey Whistle Hunt, "Dunk the Monk in the World's Biggest Cup of Tea" competition and a Ferrero Rocher Quiz Extravaganza.
Many people assume that the Aran Islands are synonymous with the islands on which the series plays, but the produces claim that the islands are completely fiction. Interesting enough is that a large part of the filming is done near Ennistymon and nothing on the Aran Islands...
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accomodation available.
Other accommodations that are possibly usefull can be found on the searchpage under the place name Doolin (starting point of the ferries)
Date: 29 February - 2 March (2008, new date not yet known)
Name: Ennis Book Club Festival
Place: Ennis
Locations: Glór Irish Music Centre, De Valera Library and several hotels, restaurants, pubs and bookshops
On offer: Among others author visits, readings, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, cookery demonstrations, musical entertainment and chocolat tasting. Authors present will include Joanne Harris (author of best seller "Chocolat"), Roddy Doyle (o.a. dramatist and screenwriter), Hugo Hamilton (winner of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature), Morgan Llywelyn (writer of historical fantasy and fiction), Dermot Bolger (winner of the Samuel Becket Award) and Nuala O Faolain (columnist of the Irish Times).
Other participants will include Neven Maguire (award winning chef), Lorna Landvik (actor and playwright), Thomas Lynch (essayist and poet), Meda Ryan (historian), Nuali Ní Chonchúir, David Rice, Ré O Laighlís and poet Mary O'Donnell.
More information:
- website: http://www.ennisbookclubfestival.com
- e-mail: info@ennisbookclubfestival.com
- phone: 00 353 (0)87 9723647
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: 29 February - 15 March (2008, new date not yet known)
Name: Seachtain na Gaeilge
Place: county Clare
On offer: a wide array of activities spread over the whole of county Clare to promote the Gaelic language
Date: 8 March - 18 March (2008, new date not yet known)
Name: West Clare Drama Festival
Place: Doonbeg
On offer: A competition of short plays performed by drama-groups out of county Clare and elsewhere out of Ireland.
More information:
- phone: 00 353 (0)65 9055288
Recommended accommodation:
- No recommended accommodation in the vicinity.
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Doonbeg, Kilkee and Cree.
Date: 2 March - 9 March (2008, new date not yet known)
Name: Féile na hInse Silver Jubilee
Place: Ennis
On offer: A festival of music, singing, poetry, art and storytelling through Irish (Gaelic). The festival will be organized around a competition for children.
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: not yet known
Name: CHORD-Ennis International Music Festival
Place: Ennis
On offer: music from all parts of the world.
More information:
- website: http://www.chordfestival.com
- phone: 00 353 (0)86 8055307
Recommended accommodation:
- Sycamore House (Ennis, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Ennis, Clarecastle and Inch.
Date: 25 March - 3 April (2008, new date not yet known)
Name: Clare Drama Festival
Place: Scariff
On offer: A series of full length plays by drama-groups from county Clare and elsewhere out of Ireland.
More information:
- website: http://www.glor.ie
- phone: 00 353 (0)87 2686764
Recommended accommodation:
- Clareville House (Tuamgraney, B&B)
- Hawthorn Lodge B&B (Mountshannon, B&B)
Other accommodation can be found on the searchpage under the placenames Scariff and Tuamgraney. Mountshannon and Ogonnelloe are a little bit further away.
