Shannon Region –

Festivals & Events 2009

Irish ceili band music at Ennis

Kate O’Brien Weekend
When: 27 & 28 February & 1 March
Where: Limerick Courthouse, Limerick City
What: An annual literary gathering recalling the works of Limerick-born novelist Kate O’Brien (1926 – 1974).
More Info:  Tel. +353 (0) 61-319866 or www.kobweekend.com

Ennis Book Club Festival
When: 6 – 8 March
Where: Ennis, Co. Clare
What:  A literary weekend of author readings, discussions, workshops and walking tours, along with sessions on how to run a book club and advice on reading lists, plus chocolate tastings, cookery demonstrations, and events in the Irish language.
More Info: Tel. +353 (0) 87-972-3647 or www.ennisbookclubfestival.com

St. Patrick’s Spring Fest - Limerick
When: 12 – 17 March.
Where: Limerick City
What: A fun filled week for all the family including a St. Patrick’s Day Parade and an international marching band festival.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 61 400225.

The Tullamore St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: 17 March at 12 noon.
Where: Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
What: A fun parade packed full of entertainment with bands, floats and on-street entertainment.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 86 389-2854

Slieve Bloom Annual Walking Festival
When: 2 - 4 May.
Where: Slieve Bloom Mountains, Co. Offaly.
What: Guided walks of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 509 37299; Web: www.slievebloom.ie

Fleadh Nua 2009
When: 17 – 25 May.
Where: Ennis, Co. Clare.
What: International festival of traditional Irish entertainment with céilí, concerts, workshops, sessions and street entertainment.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 65 684-0173; Web: www.fleadhnua.com

Clancy Brothers Festival
When: 12 – 15 June
Where: Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary
What: A three-day folk festival of music and song celebrating the legacy of the Clancy Brothers and other Tipperary musicians.
More Info:  Tel. +353 (0) 51-645588 or www.clancybrothersfestival.com

Féile Brian Boru
When: 1 - 8 July.
Where: Killaloe, Co. Clare.
What: A celebration of arts, heritage, music, sport and entertainment in honor of Ireland’s most revered king.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 86 358-6293; Web: www.feilebrianboru.killaloe.ie

Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy - Willie Clancy Summer School
When: 4 - 12 July.
Where: Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare.
What: An International summer school for traditional music, song and dance with 120 daily workshops.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 65 708-4148; Web: www.setdancingnews.net/wcss

Irish Coffee Festival
When: Mid-July.
Where: Foynes, Co. Limerick.
What: A celebration of the invention of Irish Coffee with the World Irish Coffee Making Championship.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 69 65416; Web: www.irishcoffeefestival.com

Tullamore Phoenix Festival
When: 17 – 19 July.
Where: Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
What: Highlights include hot air balloons, sky diving, bungee jumping and a French Market.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 506 24606; Web: www.phoenixfestival.ie

Shannon International Music Festival
When: Mid-July.
Where: University Concert Hall and St Mary’s Cathedral Limerick
What: The Irish Chamber Orchestra’s musical celebration of summer.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 61 202620; Web: www.irishchamberorchestra.com

Feakle International Traditional Music Festival
When: Second week of August.
Where: Feakle, Co. Clare.
What: Well established traditional music festival, now in its 19th year.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0 )61 924322; Web: www.feaklefestival.ie

Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival
When: 14 – 21 August.
Where: Birr, Co. Offaly.
What: An old time fair which includes a parade, exhibitions, theatre, sports, children’s events, live music, pub competitions and fireworks.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 86 855-1937; Web: www.birrvintageweek.com

Eigse Mrs. Crotty
When: 12 – 16 August.
Where: Kilrush, Co. Clare.
What: Traditional Irish music festival concentrating on the concertina, named after a famous local woman concertina player.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 87 294-0985; Web: www.eigsemrscrotty.com

Merriman Summer School 2006
When: Third week of August.
Where: Spa Wells, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare.
What: A leading scholarly gathering named after one of Ireland’s great poets.
More Info: Web: www.merriman.ie

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann
When: 16 – 23 August.
Where: Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
What: Ireland’s premier traditional festival, attracting musicians from far and wide .
More Info: Tel: + 353 (0) 57 932-5704, Web: www.fleadh2009.com

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
When: 28 August - 4 October.
Where: Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare.
What: Europe’s biggest singles event with music dancing, presided over by a genuine matchmaker in residence at the Matchmaker Bar.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 65 707-4005; Web: www.matchmakerireland.com

National and World Ploughing Championships
When: 22 – 24 September.
Where: Annaharvey Farm, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
What: One of the largest agricultural events in Europe.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)57-935-2617; Web: www.npa.ie

Lough Gur Story Telling Festival
When: Last Week of October/Hallowe'en.
Where: Lough Gur, Bruff, Co. Limerick.
What: A weekend of story telling, traditional music, song and dance.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 61 382698 or 385145; Web: www.loughgur.com/storytelling

Ennis Trad Festival
When: 6– 10 November
Where: Ennis, Co. Clare
What:  Focusing on traditional Irish music, this festival presents over 100 free music sessions, plus master classes, ceilis and dance classes.
More Info: Tel.  +353 (0) 87-625-8726 or www.ennistradfestival.com

Christmas at Bunratty Folk Park
When: First Three Weeks of December
Where: Bunratty Folk Park, Bunratty, Co. Clare.
What: Visit Santa Claus at Bunratty Folk Park which is transformed into a magical winter wonderland.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 61 711289; Web: www.shannonheritage.com

Ballyvaughan Christmas Carnival
When: 1 – 23 December.
Where: St John’s Hall, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare.
What: Community arts event of Christmas markets, workshops in Christmas decorations, cookery classes, choral recitals and concerts.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 65 707-7377.

Guinness Christmas Racing Festival Limerick
When: 26 – 29 December.
Where: Limerick Racecourse, Limerick.
What: Four days of national hunt racing with a holiday atmosphere.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 61 320000; Web: www.limerick-racecourse.com