Co. Wicklow & The East –

Festivals & Events 2011

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

Feile Bhride (Brigid’s Festival)
When: 30 January – 6 February
Where: Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
What: A festival (with music, song, dance and more) about  St. Brigid, one of Ireland’s two prime patron saints.
More Info: Tel.  +353 (0) 45-522890 or www.solasbhride.ie

The Navan Shamrock Festival
When: 12 – 17 March
Where: Navan, Co. Meath
What: A community-based celebration of St. Patrick’s Week.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 86 822-7822 or www.navanshamrockfestival.com.

The Kells and Trim St. Patrick’s Day Parades
When: 17 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) 46 924-7840.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades
When: 17 March.
Where: Arklow, Wicklow, Bray, Gretstones, and Rathdrum, 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) 1 276-1439, Web: www.braychamber.ie

Easter Festival 2011 – Featuring Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National
When: 24 - 26 April.
Where: Fairyhouse Racecourse, Co. Meath.
What: One of the greatest racing and social occasions of the year.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)1 825-6167, Web: www.fairyhouse.ie

Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival
When: 3 - 7 May.
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: 29 April - 2 May.
Where: Drogheda, Co. Louth.
What: A colorful five-day arts festival, now in its third year.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 41 987-6100, Web: www.droghedaartsfestival.ie

Wicklow Arts Festival

When: 26 – 29 May

Where: Wickow Town

What: A weekend of classical and popular music plus an arts trail, theatre performances, poetry and comedy.

More Info: www.wicklowartsfestival.ie

Wicklow Gardens Festival
When: Easter to 30 September.
Where: Gardens throughout County Wicklow.
What: Tours of public and private gardens.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)404 20070, Web: www.visitwicklow.ie

Irish Derby Festival
When: 24 - 26 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: 8 & 9 July.
Where: Loughcrew Gardens, Oldcastle, Co. Meath.
What: Die Fledermaus is performed in the magical garden setting.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0) 49 854-1356, Web: www.loughcrew.com/opera

Drogheda Samba Festival
When: 24 - 26 June.
Where: Drogheda, Co. Louth.
What: All the pubs and clubs of Drogheda rock to a samba beat.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)41 983-8332, Web: www.droghedasamba.com

International Blue Grass Festival
When: 7 - 10 July.
Where: Athy, Co. Kildare.
What: A three day celebration with concerts, informal sessions, workshops by top American bands.
More Info: Tel: +353 (0)59 862-5266, Web: www.athy-bluegrass.com

Oxegen Festival
When: 7 - 10 July.
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: 30 September - 2 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: http://carolanfestival.com