Co. Wicklow & The East –

Festivals & Events 2009

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

Solas Bhride (Brigid’s Festival)
When: 31 January – 8 February
Where: Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
What: A festival (with ceili, concert and lectures/conferences) 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.

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, 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 2009 – Featuring Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National
When: 12 -15 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.fairyhouseracecourse.ie

Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival
When: 28 April - 2 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: 1- 4 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 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.visitwicklow.ie

Dundalk International Maytime Festival
When: 23 May – 1 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: 1 -3 May.
Where: Bray, Co. Wicklow.
What: International jazz music festival.
More Info: Tel: + 353 (0)1 287-3992, Web: www.brayjazz.com

Budweiser Irish Derby Festival
When: 26 - 28 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: 26 - 27 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) 49 854-1356, Web: www.loughcrew.com/opera

Drogheda Samba Festival
When: 26 - 28 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.solo.ie/samba

International Blue Grass Festival
When: 9-12 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: 10 - 12 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: 2 - 4 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