Festivals this October on the Island of Ireland
We’ve had our Indian Summer red skied nights, and that ‘grand stretch in the evening’ is no more. October brings with it garden lawns laced with frost, and doorways dusted with fallen leaves. That familiar wood and turf burning scent that fills the chilled air tells us the fires are lit. It’s time to get cosy and get that geansaí ready.
This month’s poem is ‘October’ by Irish poet Harry Clifton. Enjoy.
The island of Ireland is not hibernating, it’s still awake and full of energy this October 2019 with festivals to tickle every fancy. Take inspiration from this guide to get out and experience places you’ve never been, or revisit the ones you love. And remember to keep an eye out for the many ‘Taste the Island’ across the island.
Top Festival Picks in Leinster this October 2019
Leinster: Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
What’s On – Things to Do in Dublin | October 2019 | Full Listing here
Kilkenny Animated | Kilkenny | Oct 4th – Oct 6th | kilkennyanimated.com
Abbeyleix Apple Fest | Abbeyleix, Laois | October 6th | facebook.com/applefest.abbeyleix
Eugene O’Neill Theatre Festival | New Ross, Wexford | Oct 9th- 13th | eugeneoneillfestival
Offline Film Festival | Birr, Offaly | Oct 9th – Oct 13th | offlinefilmfestival.com
The Big Chisellers Festival | Enniskerry, Wicklow | Oct 11th – 13th | schoolhouseforart
Wexford Spiegeltent Festival | Wexford Town | Oct 8th – Oct 28th | wexfordspiegeltent
Wilderland Film Festival | Bray, Wicklow | October 16th | mermaidartscentre.ie
Savour Kilkenny Food Festival | Kilkenny | Oct 22nd – Oct 28th | savourkilkenny.com
Puca Festival | Athyboy, Trim, Drogheda | Oct 31st – Nov 2nd | pucafestival.com
Top Festival Picks in Munster this October 2019
Munster: Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford.
Small Roads Theatre Festival | Kenmare, Kerry | Sept 26th – Oct 14th | smallroads.com
Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival | Nenagh, Tipperary | Oct 1st – Oct 6th | dnlf.ie
Cork Folk Festival | Cork City | Oct 3rd – Oct 6th | corkfolkfestival.com
Open House Cork | Cork City | Oct 4th – Oct 6th | openhousecork.ie
Indie Cork Film & Music Festival | Cork City | Oct 6th – Oct 13th | indiecork.com
Kinsale Gourmet Festival | Kinsale, Cork | Oct 11th – Oct 13th | kinsalerestaurants
Viva la Vida Festival | Limerick City | Oct 25th – Oct 26th | facebook.com/vlvfestival
Spleodar Halloween Arts Festival | Nenagh, Tipperary | Oct 26th – Oct 31st | spleodar.ie
Féile an tSolais ‘Festival of Light’ | Listowel, Kerry | Oct 31st – Nov 2nd | feileantsolais.com
Top Festival Picks in Connacht this October 2019
Connacht: Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo.
Ballinasloe Fair & Festival | Galway | Sept 29th – Oct 6th | ballinasloeoctoberfair
Ballina Fringe Festival | Ballina, Mayo | Oct 4th – Oct 20th | ballinafringefestival.ie
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children | Galway | Oct 14th – Oct 20th | baboro
Westival Music & Arts Festival | Westport, Mayo | Oct 23rd – Oct 28th | westival.ie
Achill International Harp Festival | Achill, Mayo | Oct 25th – Oct 28th | achillharpfestival
Top Festival Picks in Ulster incl. Northern Ireland this October
Ulster (including Northern Ireland): Antrim, Cavan, Donegal, Down, Armagh, Derry, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Tyrone.
Walled City 400 | Derry / Londonderry | Mar 19 – Mar 2020 | walledcity400.com
Oktoberfest Belfast | Belfast City | Oct 4th – Oct 19th | oktoberfestbelfast.com
Slow Food Festival | Derry / Londonderry | Oct 9th – Oct 13th | derrystrabane.com
Belfast International Arts Festival | Belfast City | Oct 15th – Nov 3rd | belfastinternational
Derry Halloween | Derry / Londonderry | Oct 26th – Nov 1st | derryhalloween.com
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She's a mother, wife, dog and home owner - a travel writing, creative, design and imagery driven, art and music lovin', sustainable living, coffee (and sometimes whiskey) drinking Irish woman.
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