Ireland’s Festivals June – December 2022

Global Irish Festival Series

Some say 70 million people around the world claim to have Irish roots and many of them enjoy tracing those roots while holidaying in Ireland each year. The Global Irish Festival Series presents a truly unique opportunity for the thousands of Irish people around the world to reconnect with home. In 2022, festivals and events will take place north and south along the Wild Atlantic Way taking in Mayo (May), Donegal (September), Limerick (September/October), and Kerry (October). Each festival is sending an irresistible invite to the Irish abroad to make the trip back home and celebrate the culture of their own county, uncover shared histories and forge new, lasting connections.

For more, see Global Irish Festival Series

Ireland Bikefest Killarney

June Bank Holiday Weekend

Now in its 14th year, and a favourite of Golden Ireland, Bikefest is a must attend annual international festival attracting all brand bike enthusiasts in their tens and thousands from all over the world. As one of Europe’s premier free open motorcycle festivals, this 3-day motorcycle and music extravaganza takes place across Ireland’s June Bank Holiday weekend. From bikers to non-bikers, or even aspiring bikers, visitors, tourists, families and locals, Bikefest has something for all.

For more, see Ireland Bikefest Killarney

Rory Gallagher International Festival

Co Donegal

2nd – 5th June 2022

Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival offers Rory Gallagher and Blues Rock enthusiasts to explore top quality performers, at an affordable festival. The festival has built an international following over the past 18 years, from 25 countries worldwide. Each year the streets of one of Ireland’s oldest towns comes alive with non-stop gigs, busking, exhibitions and headline concerts. Relive the energy and passion that Rory Gallagher brought to the world; this is not just a music festival, it’s a celebration of Blues Rock in a special place, Rory Gallagher’s birthplace.

For more, see Rory Gallagher International Festival

Bloomsday Festival (Ulysses Centennial)

11th – 18th June 2022

The Bloomsday Festival is a unique celebration of the life and literature of James Joyce. In 2022, the Bloomsday Festival will be celebrating the centenary year of the publication of Ulysses. It will combine digital and physical events and activities in a fun and accessible way including audience participation, costume, food, theatre, music and visual art.

For more, see Bloomsday Festival

Galway International Arts Festival

11th – 25th July

Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) is a major cultural organisation which produces one of Europe’s leading international arts festivals, develops and produces a new work that tours nationally and internationally, and presents a discussion platform, First Thought Talks. In 2019, the festival saw 260,000 attendees at 200 events over 30 venues and 14 days. The Irish Times describes GIAF as “the biggest, most exciting, most imaginative explosion of arts activity this country has.”

For more, See Galway International Arts Festival.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

31st July – 7th August 2022

Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

In early March 2019, Mullingar was named as the host town for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉirann 2022. The event is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance. It attracts in the region of 500,000 visitors to the host town each year. This Fleadh Cheoil has been named ‘The Homecoming’ because of the enormous Comhaltas history of the county town of Westmeath.

For more information, see Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

RDS Dublin Horse Show

17th – 31st August 2022

The 147th edition of the Dublin Horse Show will take place from 17th – 31st August in the RDS. It is considered to be a pinnacle event in the annual Irish social and sporting calendar. The mission of the Dublin Horse Show is to promote the Irish breed horse on an international stage, as it has been doing for nearly 150 years. However, the event has evolved to become a relevant ‘must visit’ international festival that appeals to equestrian and non-equestrian visitors alike.

For more, see RDS Dublin Horse Show

Rose of Tralee

19th – 23rd August 2022

Connecting the Global Irish community since 1959, the annual Rose of Tralee International Festival is a celebration of Ireland, its culture and heritage and the modern Irish woman. Each year thousands of tourists visit the Kingdom to enjoy a week of festivities, alongside 32 young women of Irish descent from around the globe, one of whom is chosen live on Irish National Television as the winning Rose of Tralee and celebrated with a spectacular firework display to mark the end of the Festival.

 

For more information, see Rose of Tralee Festival 2022

Wexford Opera Festival

21st October – 6th November

Wexford Opera Festival is a truly world-leading international opera festival which has become synonymous globally for breathing new life into forgotten masterpieces and rare operatic gems. The festival has established a reputation for high quality productions that every year bring thousands of opera-lovers flocking to Wexford to support Irish and internationally renowned artistic talent. Wexford’s leading contribution to Ireland’s cultural tourism is underlined by the readers of Frommer’s Travel Guide voting Wexford as one of the top three destinations in the world for Opera lovers.

Púca Festival

Halloween Weekend (28th – 30th October 2022)

Púca is a spectacular fun and otherworldly festival celebrating Ireland as the authentic birthplace of Halloween, known as Samhain. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season, when all the crops were picked and stored for the Celtic “New Year.”

For more information, see Púca Festival

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

October Bank Holiday 2022

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is a series of concerts across core music venues in the city of Cork and Kinsale, as well as live music in over 70 pubs across the two locations. For more, see Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.

Bram Stoker Festival

Halloween Weekend

Bram Stoker is one of Ireland’s most revered and celebrate authors, and the Bram Stoker Festival celebrates his legacy, his works and his impact on literature and pop culture. From unforgettable spectacular parades to pop-up Victorian fun parks, with intimate performances in unusual places, live music, workshops, theatre, podcasts, audio tours and a whole range of of film, literary and once-off events, Bram Stoker Festival is full of surprises.  2022 will celebrate 125 years since the publication of Bram Stoker’s greatest creation, Dracula.

New Year’s Festival Dublin

31st December 2022 – 1st January 2023

Gather in the heart of Dublin as the city centre comes alive for fun-filled New Year’s festivities. Bringing together some of Ireland’s best talents, NYF Dublin offers a host of free and family friendly activities guaranteed to entertain and excite and attract thousands to the heart of Ireland’s capital city for a spectacular countdown event to ring in the New Year.

Thanks to Fáilte Ireland for assistance in compiling all of the above events.

Information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.