Shannon Region –

Festivals & Events 2010

Irish ceili band music at Ennis

Russell Memorial Weekend

When: 26 – 29 February

Where: Doolin, Co. Clare

What: Traditional Irish music, song and dance in memory of Micho Russell, one of Ireland’s most well-known traditional musicians who and lived in Doolin.

More Info: www.michorussellweekend.ie

Kate O’Brien Weekend
When: 26 &- 28 February
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: 5 - 7 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: 1 - 4 May.
Where: Slieve Bloom Mountains, Co. Offaly.
What: Guided walks of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 57 913 7299; Web: www.slievebloom.ie

Fleadh Nua 2010
When: 23 - 31 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

Féile Brian Boru
When: First week of 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: 5 - 11 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 & Foynes Flying Boat 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: 7 - 10 May.
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

Feakle International Traditional Music Festival
When: 4 - 10 August.
Where: Feakle, Co. Clare.
What: Well established traditional music festival, focusing on the music of East Clare.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0 )61 924917; Web: www.feaklefestival.ie

Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival
When: 13 - 20 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) 87 922 6961; 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
When: 18 - 22 August.
Where: Glor Theatre, Ennis, Co. Clare.
What: A leading scholarly gathering named after one of Ireland’s great poets.
More Info: Tel. 353 (0) 86-382-0671; Web: www.merriman.ie

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
When: 3 September - 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: 21 - 23 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

Ennis Trad Festival
When: 4 - 8 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