Ready for a party? You’d want to be if you’re planning on coming here. There’s always a festival around the bend in Ireland, usually closely followed by bunting, dancing, eating, singing and most definitely laughing.  Scanning our calendar, or indeed walking into our major towns half the time, you’d probably think we put on a [...]

St Patrick’s Day is a day of pride, heritage and celebration. It’s the day the whole world channels the fun and merriment of Ireland in their own way whether dressing up Leprechaun style, dying an entire river green or just chomping on a novelty green bagel for lunch. So, I think you can understand that [...]

Dublin is in for a shock. A real culture shock. Visitors and locals alike will be chewing their lips in indecision at how to choose between an entire galaxy of cool events. Here’s what I’m looking at… Jameson Dublin International Film Festival First on the line-up of fabulous distraction is this 10-day film festival, kicking [...]

“Exquisite”, “visually stunning”, “as funny, free and beautiful a piece of theatrical entertainment as you will ever see”;  the reviews of ‘Donka: A Letter To Chekhov’ had me itching to see it. Critics were light-headed with delight after the dreamy, spectacular Cirque de Soleil-style show and I wanted to join them. One small problem: its [...]

September is oyster season here in Ireland, and you know we couldn’t let that go by without a festival… or three. Yep, no less than three festivals will be celebrating the moreish molluscs next month, with tastings, music, parades and some competitions to break a world record or two. It’s the Atlantic Ocean and Irish [...]

Few things catch the imagination like the glimpse of a looming castle or a wander through weaving medieval lanes. As guest blogger, Rick le Vert discovers, the castles and alleys come steeped in mystery, especially in the undisputed heart of medieval Ireland – Kilkenny City. ’s urban fabric is a Norman maze of twisting narrow [...]

Ok, yes – we are in love with our Summer Festivals. It’s a love that demands to be expressed through song – and not just any song either. Summer festivals had us a blast, but summer festivals happen so fast… So with sincerest apologies to Mr Travolta, Ms Newton John, assembled cast, musicians and writers [...]

As the Tall Ships Race prepares to dock in Waterford City again this June, guest blogger David Power recalls the tastes, sights and sounds as everything sea comes on land for a special four days. Now, it’s not every day that you stroll down your city’s promenade to see the place transformed into the set [...]

It’s our national day of pride, heritage and celebration. It’s the day the whole world channels the fun and merriment of the Irish in their own way (whether picking up a hurley like Governor Schwarzenegger, dying an entire river green or just chomping on a novelty green bagel for lunch). So can you forgive us [...]