The document discusses various festivals that take place across Ireland throughout the year. It notes that the Irish love to celebrate and festivals cover a wide range of genres from music, food, and cultural events. Some of the major festivals highlighted include the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, the Bulmers Comedy Festival in Clonmel, and the Shannonside Winter Music Weekend. Ireland offers festival lovers plenty of options all year round.

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Festivals Just for the Craic
From the aphrodisiacs of the sea in Galway to the year long party in Belfast, the Irish people definitely know
how to celebrate, well, pretty much everything! The Irish are festival-mad. Yes, if there’s any good excuse to
throw a festival it’ll happen - from crowning a goat to having a bit of a walk. Irish festivals can be raucous,
high-spirited flings, or they can be culturally rich arty affairs.
From music to food, Ireland
offers every type of festival you
could imagine. The famous
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking
Festival, Arthur’s Day, Dunfanaghy
Jazz and Blues Festival, the
Waterford Harvest Food festival
and the Banks of the Foyle
Hallowe’en Carnival in
Londonderry, are just some of the
highlights of the many festivals
happening across Ireland this fall.
If you want to sample Irish life
in its purest form with all its fabu-
lous characters, legendary craic and
excellent entertainment make sure
you get to a festival.
SLIGO LIVE SESSIONS
Oct. 27 - Oct. 31, 2011
Over 100 events with more than 300
artists. Intimate concerts, pub sessions,
cafe culture, club sessions and the
famous Fiddler of Dooney competition.
Much of the music is free — a great
way to hear the best of traditional, roots
and acoustic music while enjoying a few
pints or a pot of tea!
WWW.SLIGOLIVE.IE
The Hallowe’en Festival in Londonderry
The Appalachian and Bluegrass Festival at the
Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, Co. Tyrone

2. 37
BANKS OF THE
FOYLE HALLOWEEN
CARNIVAL
Oct. 29 to Oct. 31, 2011
Each year the city of Londonderry
celebrates Halloween like no-one else.
Over the past twenty years the Banks of
the Foyle Halloween carnival has wel-
comed thousands of visitors to the city
for this unique unrivalled occasion. From
Smurfs to Shreks, Witches to Warlocks,
the colour and costume of this carnival
event is second to none, capturing the
hearts and imaginations of everyone
who visits the city. With live music, a
wonderful carnival parade and a choice
of unrivalled family events across the
city leading up to the event, the only
place to spend some time this
Halloween is with us!
WWW.DERRYVISITOR.COM
Towers and Turrets
Ireland is as famous for its castles as for its Guinness. Dotted around the land, these monuments to the past
contain their own dark secrets and a trip through the Midlands gives a dramatic taste of treachery and skull-
duggery. The arrival of the Normans in the 12th century transformed the Irish landscape. You can’t go far
without seeing a castle in Ireland - from the operatic grandeur of the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary to
romantic ruins such as the keep of Kildownet Castle, once the Achill Island redoubt of the pirate queen Grace
O’Malley; or Narrow Water Castle in County Down, which guards over the inlet of Carlingford Lough. As
the writer Frank O’Connor said, “It would take more than one lifetime to discover the reason for all the ruins
in Ireland, but it sure makes for a diverting tour of discovery trying at least to scratch the surface.” Thankfully,
Irish castles aren’t all blood-soaked and ghoulish - lots of them have been wonderfully refurbished and trans-
formed into luxurious lodgings,
Dromoland Castle, Castle Leslie
and Ashford Castle to name just a
few. In these distinguished and
dramatic places to stay, you can
indulge your decadent side with
state-of-the-art facilities, four-
poster beds, book-lined libraries
and dungeon bars serving up a
host of pints instead of a host of
horrors!
Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo
Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare

3. Ireland - Home of Champions
In September the cream of women’s golf will be at Killeen Castle, Co. Meath for the 2011 Solheim Cup - the
Ladies’ equivalent to the Ryder Cup. Killeen Castle is situated in a 600-acre estate close to the picturesque vil-
lage of Dunsany in County Meath. And where better than the newly appointed “Golf Capital of the World”
after the recent successes of Northern Irish men, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy, in both the British Open
and the US Open in 2011. The area also hosts some of the country’s most spectacular historic landmarks,
including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Newgrange and the Hill of Tara.
Holding six majors between them, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Padraig
Harrington have boosted Ireland’s reputation in the golfing world, and it is not hard to believe that it has
become a one of the most exclusive destinations for high quality golfing.
The Royal Portrush Golf Club, the only course in Northern Ireland to have ever hosted the Open
Championship, boasts two champi-
onship courses with impressive views
across the North Atlantic with breathtak-
ing views of Scotland and Donegal but
the golf is even more spectacular.
Or meander south to superb Druids
Glen Golf Course, located in the idyllic
Garden of Ireland, Druids Glen parkland
is a truly challenging course, and has
played host to some of the world’s most
accomplished players. Situated on a
38
GUINNESS CORK JAZZ
FESTIVAL
Oct. 28 - Oct. 31, 2011
The annual Guinness Jazz Festival in
Cork has grown in leaps and bounds
since its inception over 30 years ago. It
is now one of Ireland’s flagship festivals
and attracts jazz fans from all over the
world. Over the years the Festival has
featured a galaxy of jazz ‘greats’
including Ella Fitzgerald, George
Shearing, Cleo Laine, Art Blakey, Gerry
Mulligan, Mel Torme, Sonny Rollins,
Wynton Marsalis, B.B. King, Dave
Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy
Gillespie, Joe Lovano, Michael Brecker,
Jan Garbarek, Chick Corea, Herbie
Hancock and a host of other top jazz
names. In 2010, over 50,000 people
attended the event and listened to great
jazz which featured over 1,200 musi-
cians from 35 countries. The spread of
world-class stars performed in most of
the city’s major theatres. There’s also
non-stop music, day and night, in 90
clubs, pubs and hotels citywide, plus
master classes and many fringe events.
Over 90% of the music is free of
entrance charges.
WWW.CORKJAZZFESTIVAL.COM
Royal Portrush Golf Club, Co. Antrim
Adare Manor, Co. Limerick

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uniquely beautiful piece of land, with spectacular vistas over the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea,
Druids Glen has been described as Nature’s Gift to God, but it’s also a gladly received gift to golfers.
As well as this, Adare Manor Golf Course in County Limerick is a renowned championship course and
Waterville Golf Links in County Kerry, is listed in the top 20 Links courses in the world, Ireland is the prime
golf destination and with great value and great golf there has never been a better time to take a golf vacation.
Fringed by the sea, with a landscape that is spectacularly varied, a golf break in Ireland is one you’ll never
forget. Courses sweep across mountains and skirt seas, each one different from the next. So if you’re teeing
off under shade of a mountain or with the sound of surf as your soundtrack, golfing in Ireland is an experi-
ence that will stay with you.
WATERFORD
INTERNATIONAL
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Nov. 1 - Nov. 13, 2011 (TBC)
Twelve days celebrating what’s best
about music, from popular musicals to
soulful gospel and alternative sounds.
2011 promises a return to some old
favorites and a new twist for the more
adventurous.
WATERFORDINTLMUSICFESTIVAL.COM
BULMERS COMEDY
FESTIVAL
Nov. 16 - Nov. 20, 2011
The Bulmers Comedy Festival in Clonmel
will celebrate its 5th anniversary with
five days of world class comedy. Top
Irish and international stand up comedi-
ans will descend on O’Keeffes Clonmel
as the Bulmers Comedy Festival promis-
es to be an action packed comedy
extravaganza showcasing the crème de
la crème of international comedy. The
Bulmers Comedy Festival will host over
30 comedians with the hottest tickets of
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2011 coming
to Clonmel.
WWW.CLONMELCOMEDY.COM
Druids Glen Golf Resort, Co. Wicklow

5. 40
A Good Stretch of the Legs
From the mountains and glens to the loughs and canals, there’s a whole host of outdoor options to keep those
feet moving. In fact, Ireland can offer a great diversity of walks across a range of exciting themes, including
coastal, island, mountain and hill, , historical, archeological and even the wonderful world of mythology.
Everywhere you go, you’ll be surrounded by the physical beauty of the island and will never find yourself
too far from much-needed amenities.
Walkers can interact with local communities and savor the relaxed pace of life in rural Ireland. And if
you’re not sure where to start, there’s a plentiful selection of linear walks available across the countryside.
Take to the Water
Listen to the roar of the waves in your ears or the hush of the barge as it passes you by, and you’ll know why
Ireland is a water-lover’s haven.
With unparalleled spots like Brandon Bay, Clew Bay, Portrush, and Portstewart, and over 5,600km of
pristine coastline, temperate conditions, masses of lakes, rivers and waterways, Ireland is ripe for a water
world discovery.
Local and international surfers take to the waves around the island along a coastline that’s big on thrills with
exhilarating swells and pristine beaches. Meanwhile, windsurfers adore the steady winds and countless safe,
clean beaches that make Ireland a number one destination.
There are thousands of kilometers of coastline waiting to be discovered by the intrepid scuba diver with
sheltered harbors for the beginner, and steep rocky cliff faces for the more experienced diver. Water-skiers and
wake boarders can also enjoy great facilities around the country. I
CORONA CORK FILM
FESTIVAL
Nov. 6 - Nov. 12, 2011
The finest of cinema comes to Cork —
an eclectic program with features, docu-
mentaries, exhibitions, retrospectives
and new Irish cinema. And, of course,
the short film programs for which the
festival has an international reputation.
WWW.CORKFILMFEST.ORG
TASTE OF CHRISTMAS
Dec. 2 - Dec. 4, 2011
Start the festive season with a Wow in
the Convention Centre Dublin! The best
of seasonal food and drink, gourmet
gifts, master classes, specialist wines,
food sampling and fine dining — the
perfect way to get the festive season off
to a cracking and stylish start
WWW.TASTEOFCHRISTMAS.IE
THE SPIRIT OF
CHRISTMAS PAST
Dec. 11, 2011
Come to the Ulster Folk Park and
Transport Museum on December 11th
and experience the atmosphere of a
1900s Christmas with storytelling, brass
bands, carol singing, craft activities and
the taste of traditional fayre.
WWW.NMNI.IE
Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh

6. GUINNESS CHRISTMAS
RACING FESTIVAL
Dec. 26 - Dec. 29, 2011
The annual four day Christmas Festival
at Limerick Racecourse is synonymous
with great National Hunt Racing, a
great atmosphere and of course great
fun! There are a number of excellent
packages and general admission offers
to service the racing public and provide
superb value for money.
WWW.LIMERICKRACES.IE
SHANNONSIDE
WINTER MUSIC
WEEKEND
Jan. 12 - Jan. 16, 2012
Folk, roots, bluegrass, jazz, gospel and
traditional music and more in a pro-
gramme of over 30 events in intimate
venues around the village of
Sixmilebridge and Bunratty. The pro-
gramme features acoustic acts of all
hues: Irish, bluegrass, blues, country,
gypsy, classical and much more, making
this intimate festival a treat for both its
dedicated regular crowd and the new-
comer. The variety of music and loca-
tions, the close link between musicians
and the audiences, and the welcome
from the locals all help to make this fes-
tival unique. 12 venues including the
atmospheric Courthouse and the com-
forts of Bunratty Castle Hotel host almost
40 scheduled gigs, sessions, and con-
certs—most of them free. Top that off
with a gospel choir at Sunday Mass, set
dancing in the GAA hall, and you have
a weekend that provides something for
every music lover.
WWW.WMW.IE
Beara Peninsula, Co. Cork
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