Co. Wicklow & The East –

Festivals & Events 2008

St. Kevin’s Church at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow,
a popular stopping place during many walking festivals.

The Navan Shamrock Festival
When: 13th – 19th March
Where: Navan, Co. Meath
What: A community-based celebration of St. Patrick’s Week.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 86 822 7822.

The Kells and Trim St. Patrick’s Day Parades
When: 17th March.
Where: Kells and Trim, Co. Meath.
What: St. Patrick’s Day Parades with fun for all the family and the opportunity to see the replica “Crozier of Kells.”
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 46 9247840.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades
When: 17th March.
Where: Arklow, Wicklow, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
What: St. Patrick’s Day Parades and celebrations,with traditional music, colourful floats, dancing and marching bands.
More Info: (Arklow) Tel: +353 (0) 402 32299; (Wicklow) Tel: +353 (0) 404 622921; and (Bray) Tel: +353 (0) 1 2761439, Web: www.braychamber.ie

Easter Festival 2007 – Featuring Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National
When: 22nd to 25th March.
Where: Fairyhouse Racecourse, Co. Meath.
What: One of the greatest racing and social occasions of the year.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)1 8256167, Web: www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie

Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival
When: 22nd - 26th April.
Where: Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co. Kildare.
What: Four days of championship racing and social events.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)45 897704, Web: www.punchestown.com

Drogheda Arts Festival
When: First weekend of May.
Where: Drogheda, Co. Louth.
What: A colorful five-day arts festival, now in its third year.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 41 9876100, Web: www.drogheda.ie/artsfest

Wicklow Gardens Festival
When: May -August
Where: Gardens throughout County Wicklow.
What: Tours of public and private gardens.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)404 20070, Web: www.castlesgardensireland.com/wicklow-gardens.html

Dundalk International Maytime Festival
When: 24th May – 1st June.
Where: Various venues Dundalk, Co Louth.
What: International drama festival with art exhibitions, children’s events and more.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 42 933 4613, Web: www.dundalk.com

Bray Jazz Festival 2008
When: 2nd - 5th May.
Where: Bray, Co. Wicklow.
What: International jazz music festival.
More Info: Tel: + 353 (0)1 2873992, Web: www.brayjazz.com

Budweiser Irish Derby Festival
When: 27th - 29th June.
Where: The Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare.
What: Ireland’s premier annual horse race.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 45 441205, Web: www.curragh.ie

Loughcrew Garden Opera
When: 28th - 29th June.
Where: Loughcrew Gardens, Oldcastle, Co. Meath.
What: La Boheme, Puccini’s most lyrical and best loved opera, is performed in the magical garden setting.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 49 8541356, Web: www.loughcrew.com/opera

Drogheda Samba Festival
When: 27th - 30th June.
Where: Drogheda, Co. Louth.
What: All the pubs and clubs of Drogheda rock to a samba beat.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)41 9838332, Web: www.solo.ie/samba

International Blue Grass Festival
When: 10th - 13th July.
Where: Athy, Co. Kildare.
What: A three day celebration with concerts, informal sessions, workshops by top American bands.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)59 8625266, Web: www.athy-bluegrass.com

Oxegen Festival
When: July 11 - 13
Where: Punchestown, Naas, Co. Kildare.
What: Hailed as “the greatest rock ‘n’ roll weekend of the year.”
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)1 284-1747
Web: www.oxegen.ie

O’Carolan Harp, Cultural and Heritage Festival
When: 3rd - 6th October.
Where: Nobber, Co. Meath.
What: Harp and instrumental workshops, harp competition, traditional concerts, lectures, historical tours, arts & crafts exhibition and traditional music sessions.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 46 9052115. Web: www.nobberfest.com

Tain Rhythm & Roots Festival
When: Last weekend of October.
Where: Dundalk, Co. Louth.
What: An eclectic range of folk, traditional and leftfield rock.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)42 9329649, Web: www.tainfestival.com