Festivals: The best Irish events in August, from music and comedy to literature and science
travel abroad
this summer when there is so much culture and fun to be had at home?
August is jam-packed with events to meet all tastes all across the country; from music to
food
to
art
. This list will bring you right up to September so you'll have no excuse for missing anything.
Belfast TradFest
July 27th – August 3rd
This year brings the seventh annual
Belfast TradFest
, a week-long celebration of traditional music, song and dance at various venues around the city. You'll be spoiled for choice with 17 concerts, 105 pub music sessions, a Highland piping competition and much more. belfasttraditionalmusic.com
All Together Now
July 31st – August 4th
Kiasmos at last year's All Together Now. Photograph: Aiesha Wong
The
line-up at Curraghmore Estate in Co
Waterford this year
includes CMAT, Wet Leg, Fontaines DC, London Grammar, Blindboy and Primal Scream alongside talks and live podcast recordings by the likes of Tommy Tiernan and Moth stories. alltogethernow.ie
READ MORE
Ballyshannon Folk & Traditional Music Festival
July 31st – August 4th
The oldest folk and traditional music festival is celebrating its 48th year this year with a weekend of live performances at venues across Ballyshannon,
Co Donegal
. ballyshannonfolkfestival.com
Birr Vintage Week & Arts Week
August 1st – 9th
Birr Vintage Week Arts Festival in 2023.
The 56th edition of this annual community arts festival in Birr,
Co Offaly
, offers a week of plays, concerts, workshops, exhibitions and other community events. Great festival for whole the family to enjoy. birrvintageweek.com
Spraoi International Street Arts Festival
August 1st – 3rd
The organisers of this festival say it will transform Waterford city into a giant stage where artists around the world giving free performances. There will be music, dance, comedy, fireworks, circuses and other spectacles. spraoi.com
Fleadh Cheoil
August 3rd – 10th
Eilish (5) and brother Senan (8) McCormack from Athlone at last year's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
This celebration of traditional music is set to attract some 500,000 visitors to
Wexford town
for a week of unforgettable dance and music performances and competitions. There will also be a number of exhibitions, walking tours, film screenings, food markets and children's story times on offer. fleadhcheoil.ie
Kilkenny Arts Festival
August 7th – 17th
Martin Hayes performing at last year's Kilkenny Arts Festival. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Now in its 51st year, the
Kilkenny Arts Festival
will once again fill its city's historic churches, castle, courtyards, townhouses and gardens with performances by renowned musicians, performers, writers and artists. There will also be talks from world famous journalists, poets and filmmakers. kilkennyarts.ie
Howth Roots and Blues Festival
August 8th – 10th
Over three days, the Howth Roots and Blues Festival in the north
Dublin
seaside village will put on more than 40 roots and blues gigs, with the majority at no charge. There's something for everyone as the festival promises to cater for fans of country, bluegrass, americana, blues and, for the first time, afrobeat. howthrootsandblues.com
Waterford Walls Festival
August 8th – 17th
For nine days, more than 40 Irish and international artists will create large-scale mural artworks around Waterford city. There will also be music, workshops, talks, guided tours and other activities on offer. wallsproject.ie/waterford-walls-festival
Puck Fair
August 10th – 12th
King Puck, a wild mountain goat, on his throne overlooking the Killorglin town square following his 'coronation' ceremony last year. Photograph: Don MacMonagle
One of Ireland's oldest fairs, this three-day festival in Killorglin,
Co Kerry
, is centred around a goat known as the King Puck. Every year a local goat is taken from the nearby mountains, crowned and then paraded through the streets. puckfair.ie
Cork on a Fork Fest
August 13th – 17th
A children's food trail at Cork on a Fork in 2023. Photograph: Chani Anderson
The fourth edition of
Cork
on a Fork Fest promises five days of food, talks, tastings, demos, kids' events and more, celebrating Cork's incredible food scene and local produce. cork-on-a-fork-fest/what-s-on/
Chamber Music on Valentia
August 14th – 17th
Now in its 12th year, this chamber music festival takes place on the beautiful Valentia Island off the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula, Co Kerry. chambermusiconvalentia.com
Love is a Stranger
August 16th
The team behind the Another Love Story festival, which has been running for the past 11 years, are hosting a day festival in Ballyvolane House, Co Cork. The organisers promise a carefully selected line-up of contemporary Irish and international artists performing in intimate and atmospheric settings. eventbrite.ie/e/love-is-a-stranger-ballyvolane-house-2025-tickets-1334664349999
Wider Than Pictures 2025
August 16th– 24th
This annual open-air summer concert series held at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, is back for a six-day run. This year's edition includes performances by Sharon Van Etten, Human League, Kaiser Chiefs and more.
widerthanictures.ie
Masters of Tradition
August 20th – 24th
Over four days in Bantry, west Cork, acclaimed fiddle player
Martin Hayes
curates a celebration of Irish musicianship, dance and other, international traditions. A great place to see emerging talent in the trad music scene. westcorkmusic.ie/masters-of-tradition
Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival
August 22nd – 24th
Now in its 30th year, this bluegrass music festival is held annually in Dunmore East,
Co Waterford
. Over three days, the village teems with live performances and jams at all hours of the day and night. discoverdunmore.com/events
Another Love Story
August 23rd – 24th
The idyllic grounds of Kilyon Manor in
Co Meath
provide the setting for this bespoke festival of music, art, conversation, food and fun. anotherlovestory.ie
Electric Picnic
August 29th – 31st
Kneecap fans at last year's Electric Picnic. Photograph: Alan Betson
Ireland's largest yearly gathering of music and artists held in the grounds of Stradbally Hall,
Co Laois
, this year includes Hozier, Chappell Roan, Sam Fender, Conan Gray, The Kooks, Fatboy Slim and Suki Waterhouse in its stellar line up. electricpicnic.ie
Desmond O'Halloran Music Weekend
29th August – 31st August
Every year, this trad music festival takes over the small island of Inishbofin,
Co Galway
for a weekend of live performances in intimate venues. desmond-ohalloran-music-weekend-3
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