September is chock-full of festivals and events as Ireland strives to enjoy the last of the pleasant summer weather.
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare – August 29 – October 5, 2014
Despite the TV-movie cliches, Ireland’s premier matchmaking festival has long moved with the times. The modern matchmaking festival features six weeks of music, entertainment, and opportunities for those seeking romance to mix and mingle in the heart of Co. Clare. From country music, to techno, to nostalgia acts from the 1960s, there’s something for every age group — and yes, there’s even gay weekend to help same-sex singles meet their mate.
Sky Road TV+Film Festival
Clifden, Co. Galway – September 5-7, 2014
A new festival pledging to bring the best new Irish film and television to a wider audience.
Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival
Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork – September 5-7, 2014
Cape Clear is Ireland’s southernmost inhabited island situated 8 miles off the coast of Baltimore in West Cork. Now in its 20th year, the Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival has become one of the most renowned festivals in the world storytelling calendar, featuring some of the most accomplished storytellers from Ireland and around the world.
Monaghan Rhythm & Blues Festival
Monaghan, Co. Monaghan – September 5-7, 2014
What started as a small project to enrich the cultural life of County Monaghan has grown into a blue festival that enriches the whole country by attracting top rhythm and blues from around the world to Ireland every year.
Dublin Fringe Festival
Dublin City, Co. Dublin – September 5-20, 2014
Dublin Fringe is a curated, multi-disciplinary festival and year-round organization focusing on new and innovative approaches to the arts.
GAA All-Ireland Finals
Croke Park, Co. Dublin
Hurling: Sunday, September 7 (Kilkenny vs. Tipperary)
Football: Sunday, September 21 (Kerry vs. Donegal)
If you’re visiting Ireland, I don’t fancy your chances of getting a ticket to the finals, but be sure to watch them in a local pub. If you can arrange to be in one of the competing counties, so much the better.
Mountains to Sea DLR Book Festival
Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin – September 11-14, 2014
The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area was either the birthplace or home of a large number of celebrated Irish writers, from J. M. Synge to James Joyce, and up to Marian Keyes and Hugo Hamilton. The DLR Book Festival keeps that great tradition alive.
Dingle TradFest
Dingle, Co. Kerry – September 11-14, 2014
Dingle Tradfest is Ireland’s newest innovative Trad-Fusion Music Festival.
Waterford Harvest Festival
Waterford, Co. Waterford – September 12-14, 2014
A weekend of fun and foodie activities for all – markets, barbecues, picnics, feasts, gigs, street parties, cookery demonstrations, taste workshops, craft villages and much, much more!
Culture Night
All Over the Country! – Friday, September 19, 2014
Culture Night is an annual all-island public event that celebrates culture, creativity and the arts. Venues large and small will open their doors late into the evening and put on special programs to celebrate culture in all its guises.
Dublin Theatre Festival
Dublin City, Co. Dublin – September 25 – October 12, 2014
18 days of world-class theatre from around the world.
Clifden Arts Festival
Clifden, Co. Galway – September, 18-28, 2014
A great celebration of the arts including poetry readings, lectures, recitals, traditional music, concerts, comedy, and more, all enjoyed in a wonderful relaxed atmosphere in one of the most beautiful places on the West Coast.
Kinsale Arts Festival
Kinsale, Co. Cork – September 19-28, 2014
This arts festivals takes over many non-traditional venues around the beautiful seaside town of Kinsale to introduce new arts to the population, and bring a new perspective on seemingly familiar material and formats.
National Ploughing Championships
Stradbally, Co. Laois – September 23-25, 2014
Europe’s largest outdoor exhibition and agricultural show, the National Ploughing Championships brings farm families and rural folk from all over the country to meet, mingle, and be entertained. It’s a one-of-a-kind event, and something quintessentially Irish.
Limerick Jazz Festival
Limerick City, Co. Limerick – September 25-28, 2014
This international music festival is now in its third year.
Galway Oyster & Seafood Festival
Galway City, Co. Galway – September 25-28, 2014
The oldest oyster festival in the world, and Ireland’s most recognizable holiday after St. Patrick’s Day, the Galway Oyster Festivals is one of Europe’s longest-running food extravaganzas.
Sligo Festival of Baroque Music
Sligo, Co. Sligo – September 26-28, 2014
Now in its sixteenth year, the festival aims to present high quality performance of baroque chamber music in a notably friendly and informal context.
Tags: Irish events, irish festivals, september 2014, whats on in ireland