Popular events and gigs in the West of Ireland

There are dozens of Irish Festivals in the West of Ireland for locals and visitors. These include traditional Irish music and dance and international musicians who come to soak up the atmosphere of the area. Here are just some of the popular events and gigs in the West of Ireland taking place in various locations.

Feakle International Traditional Music Festival Co. Clare

7 - 12 August 2019

In the West of Ireland, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Ennis, and Feakle are renowned for their lively entertainments and festivals of traditional Irish music. Feakle is at the center of traditional music in Ireland and from humble beginnings has become an international event celebrating its 32nd year. It includes workshops and tutoring schools as well as concerts by some of the most gifted musicians in Ireland.

Willie Clancy Festival, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare

6 - 14 July 2019

Willie Clancy was an accomplished whistle player, flute player, singer, story-teller, philosopher and wit, though he was most famous for playing the Uilleann Pipes, similar to Scottish bagpipes, but the wind is generated by a bellows attached to the musician’s elbow (uileann) to produce a sweeter sound. This festival gathers together the cream of Irish musicians, singers, songwriters and dancers for Craic agus ceol (fun and music). There is music to be heard in pubs, kitchens, streets, and the local Spanish Point beach.

Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF)

15 – 28 July

Named by The Guardian as ‘One of the Top Five Summer Festivals in Europe’, the 42nd Galway International Arts Festival features Irish and international theatre, opera, dance, circus, music, street spectacle, talks and visual arts and more than 250,000 visitors are expected to what will be the European capital of culture in 2020. The summer 2019 line-up includes the Irish National Opera premiere of Least Like the Other: Searching for Rosemary Kennedy, plus Robert Plant’s new project, Saving Grace, is taking place in the intimate setting of St Nicholas’ Church. Gigs in the big top include Villagers and John Grant, Bell X1, The Academic and Wild Youth, Macy Gray and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Burt Bacharach, Two Door Cinema Club, Orbital, and The Coronas. For something a bit more unusual, there will be Guru Dudu’s silent-disco walking tour to hits from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival

30 August -29 September, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare

The small village of Lisdoonvarna hosts Europe’s biggest singles festival which attracts around 60,000 visitors looking for love through music and dancing from morning from 11:00 until the early hours of the next morning. The festival is more than 160 years old, and with the tagline “Where Music’s Played, and Matches Are Made” you can find matchmaker Willie Daly at the Matchmaker Bar.

Bars and pubs will headline some of the top names in country music, offering a chance to gather and celebrate life, love, good music and great times

Rory Gallagher International Festival

28 – 31 May 2020, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal

For the last 19 years, fans and tribute acts from across the world congregate in Rory Gallagher’s hometown to celebrate the blues guitarist who passed away in 1995. The 2019 festival hosted open-air street gigs, free pub gigs, exhibitions, films, busking, Rory Gallagher statue gigs and the nightly Big Top Concerts featuring an incredible line-up including Glenn Hughes Band, Band of Friends, Bernie Marsden Band, Wishbone Ash, and many others.

Earagail Arts Festival

10 – 28 July

This bilingual (Irish and English) festival showcases 19 days of music, theatre, visual arts, film, literature, circus & carnival from artists native to the area and provides opportunities for cultural exchange, in venues from purpose-built theatres and galleries, to village halls, forests and beaches, creating a unique cultural experience in the most unlikely of magical places. The program covers the county of Donegal, from Arranmore Island, Letterkenny to Malin.

Scariff Harbour Festival, Scariff, Co Clare

1 - 4 August 2019

This open-air, street-based event showcases the attractions of Scariff, particularly Lough Derg and the East Clare countryside. There is a varied program of activities, arts, music with headliners including Aonghus McAnally, Sean and Conor Price, The Riptide Movement, Na Fianna and the Shandrum Céilí Band. The Riverside Activity event includes a climbing wall, mobile mountain bike course, archery tag, hover ball archery, water walking zorbs and stand up paddleboarding. Great for all the family, this festival also showcases local arts and crafts, with a chance to see displays of traditional craft making.

Vodafone Comedy Carnival Galway

22 - 28 October 2019

Now in our fourteenth year, the 2019 Vodafone Comedy Carnival is a mix of more than 80 live stand-up, improv and sketch comedy in various venues throughout Galway City and County. The Festival aims to deliver an extensive and eclectic program of the best of Irish and international comedy each year. Featuring established and emerging talent in venues of varying intimacy throughout the city & county. Six major headliners have already been announced including John Bishop, Dermot & Dave, Ardal O’Hanlon, Reginald D Hunter, Enya Martin, and Rich Hall.

Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival

27 July - 5 August 2019

Running for a 52nd year, this community festival celebrates the best of Donegal through events focused on local traditions, heritage, and culture. There are goods from local artists and food producers as well as traditional Irish music from big bands to solo artists, classical to country, and dancing to view and take part in. Enjoy an exhibition of Donegal history, delve into your own family history and enjoy outdoor adventures, street food, a carnival and gala ball. All culminating in the main event, the crowning ceremony for the new Mary of Dungloe for 2019.

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