The West –

Festivals & Events 2009

Street music from many lands during Galway Arts Festiva

Ted Fest

When: 27 February – 1 March

Where: Inishmore, Co. Galway

What: A fun-filled commemoration of the characters and events on the classic “Father Ted” BBC-TV program, in a “Craggy Island” atmosphere.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: 17 March.
Where: Galway City.
What: Pipe bands, dance groups and performance artists from all over the world gather fort his parade, regarded as the best in the West.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 91 536829; Web: www.stpatricksgalway.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parades
When: 17th March.
Where: Athlone, Kiltimagh, Longford, Mullingar
What: Colourful floats, bands and clowns will entertain both young and old.
More Info: (Athlone) Tel. +353 (0) 90 649-4555 ; (Kiltimagh) Tel: +353 (0) 94 938-1494; (Longford) Tel: +353 (0) 43 47455.; and (Mullingar) Tel: +353 (0) 86 805-2609

Connemara International Marathon
When: 22 March.
Where: Maam Cross, Connemara, Co. Galway.
What: Three runs - a marathon, half-marathon, and ultra-marathon - through Co. Galway’s most scenic area.
More Info: Tel: + 353 (0) 91 565 154; Web: www.connemarathon.com

Cúirt International Festival of Literature
When: 21 – 26 April.
Where: Town Hall Theatre, Galway.
What: A literary festival, now in its 21st year.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 91 565886; Web: www.galwayartscentre.ie

Strokestown International Poetry Festival
When: 1-3 May.
Where: Strokestown, Co. Roscommon
What: Poetry readings, competitions and performances.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 71 963-3759. Web: www.strokestownpoetry.org

Fleadh na gCuach – The Cuckoo Festival
When: First weekend of May.
Where: Kinvara, Co. Galway.
What: Traditional music and community festival which features poetry, drama, art and children’s events.
More Info: Web: www.kinvara.com

Achill Island Walking Festival (Féile Siúlóidi Acla)
When: First weekendof May.
Where: Achill Island, Co. Mayo.
What: Walking via guided and self-guided walks in a very scenic area.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 98 47353; Web: www.achilltourism.com/walksfest.html

Galway Early Music Festival
When: 15 – 17 May.
Where: Galway City.
What: Spotlighting early music of long ago.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 87 9305506. Web: www.galwayearlymusic.com

Volvo Ocean Race 2009

When: 23 – 24 May

Where: Galway City Harbour

What: Final stages of the 108-day race – Galway is one of an elite global network of 10 international ports (other ports include Cape Town; Kochi, India; China; Singapore; Rio de Janeiro; Boston, and Stockholm) that are hosting the 35,000-nautical-mile race which started in Allicante, Spain, on October 8, 2008, and finishes in St. Petersburg on June 27, 2009. The Galway Harbour stopover is the only stopover for Ireland and the UK (originally known as the Whitbread Round the World Race). In addition, Galway is hosting a two-week festival focusing on this race which is the biggest sporting event in Ireland  since the Ryder Cup at the K Club, Co. Kildare, in 2006.

Guinness Castlebar Blues Festival
When: 29 May – 1 June.
Where: Various Venues, Castlebar Town, Co Mayo.
What: International blues festival with free entertainment.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)9 4 902-3111. Web: www.castlebarblues.com

The Galway Sessions
When: 14 – 21 June.
Where: Galway City, Co. Galway.
What: A celebration of traditional music, with 150 musicians playing in 80 sessions at 9 different pubs.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0 )87 243-2644; Web: www.galwaysessions.com

Castlebar International 4 Days’ Walks
When: 2 - 5 July.
Where: Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
What: Four days of walking, talking, rambling, music, song and dance.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 94 902-4102; Web: www.castlebar4dayswalks.com

Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School of Traditional Irish Music
When: 4 - 11 July.
Where: Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.
What: Traditional Irish music, sean nos singing, and Irish language speaking.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 94 986-0013; Web: www.douglashyde.com

Ballina Salmon Festival
When: 10 – 19 July.
Where: Ballina Town, Co. Mayo.
What: Ten days of family fun and entertainment with music, song, crafts, and more including a Mardi Gras, Teddy Bear Picnic, and Salmon Run Triathlon.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 96 79815; Web: www.ballinasalmonfestival.ie

An tSuca Fiáin – River and Arts Festival
When: Second week of July.
Where: Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
What: Floating theatre, live music, visual arts, etc.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)87 278-8402; Web: www.ballinasloe-arts.com

Galway Film Fleadh
When: 7 – 12 July.
Where: Galway.
What: A showcase of the best in new and classic Irish and world cinema.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 91 751 655; Web: www.galwayfilmfleadh.com

Galway Cathedral Recitals
When: Late-June – mid-August.
Where: Galway.
What: Evening concerts in Galway’s magnificent stone cathedral.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 91 563577; Web: www.galwaycathedral.org/recitals

Galway Arts Festival
When: 13 – 26 July.
Where: Galway City and County.
What: A program of theatre, dance, music, visual art, literature, comedy and parades.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 91 509700; Web: www.galwayartsfestival.ie

Boyle Arts Festival
When: 23 July – 1 August.
Where: Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
What: Music, visual arts, drama, reading, children’s events and workshops.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 71 966-3085; Web: www.boylearts.com

Féile Iorras
When: 17 - 26 July.
Where: Belmullet, Co. Mayo.
What: An international folk arts festival in the Gaeltacht of the Erris Peninsula.
More Info: Tel: + 353 (0) 97 81418; Web: www.feileiorras.org

Síamsa Sráide Street Festival
When: 1 - 4 August.
Where: Main Street, Swinford, Co. Mayo.
What: A street festival of traditional music with open-air ceilís and an international busking competition.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 86 8059172.

O’Carolan Summer School & Festival in Traditional Irish Music Song and Dance
When: First weekend of August.
Where: Keadue, Co. Roscommon.
What: A gathering in honor of Ireland’s legendary harper, Turlough O’Carolan, with classes for playing the harp, flute, tin whistle, button accordion, concertina, bodhran, bango and fiddle, sean nos singing and set dancing. It is followed by a three-day traditional music festival.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 96 47204; Web: www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie

Galway Races
When: 27 July – 2 August.
Where: Racecourse, Galway.
What: The west of Ireland’s most popular summer horse racing festival.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 91 753870; Web: www.galwayraces.com

Connemara Pony Show
When: 20 August.
Where: The Showgrounds, Clifden, Co. Galway.
What: The largest national and international show for Connemara ponies with up to 500 ponies on show.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 95 21863; Web: www.cpbs.ie

Roundstone Summerfest
When: Third weekend of August.
Where: Roundstone, Connemara, Co. Galway.
What: Traditional Irish music festival set on the scenic Connemara coast.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 87 9962424; Web: www.roundstonesummerfest.com

Clarenbridge International Oyster Festival
When: 11 - 13 September.
Where: Clarenbridge, Galway.
What: A celebration of the start of the oyster season.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 86 226153; Web: www.clarenbridge.com

Galway International Oyster Festival
When: 24 - 27 September.
Where: Oyster Festival Marquee, Nimmo’s Pier, The Claddagh, Galway City.
What: A world class festival featuring the Guinness world oyster opening championship. More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 91 587992; Web: www.galwayoysterfest.com

Westport Arts Festival

When: 2 – 11 October

Where: Westport, Co Mayo

What: An exciting blend of events – ranging from Irish traditional music, poetry, dance, theatre and children's events to West African music.

More Info: 087-412-0176 or www.westportartsfestival.com

Ballinasloe Great October Fair
When: 3 - 11 October.
Where: Ballinasloe.
What: Horses and pony events, show jumping, street stalls, fireworks, tug-o-war and much more.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)909 643453; Web: www.ballinasloeoctoberfair.com

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
When: 12 – 18 October.
Where: Galway City.
What: If you are traveling with kids, plan to bring them to this junior arts festival.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 91 562667; Web: www.baboro.ie

Maam Cross Big October Fair
When: End of October.
Where: The Crossroads, Maam Cross, Connemara, Co. Galway.
What: Connemara ponies are bought and sold, in traditional way with lots of local color.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 91 552306.

Last Sunset in Europe 2009 – Achill Island
When: 31 December.
Where: Minaun Heights on Achill
What: Europe’s most westerly point provides the venue for this spectacle.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 98 47353; Web: www.achilltourism.com