Festivals this September 2018 on the Island of Ireland
There’s a bite in the air that’s for sure – and it makes sense that it’s already Autumn, well by the Gaelic Calendar anyway. Come on Indian Summer – you still have time! But if the sun decides it has given us enough of its warmth this year, we should be okay with it, after all this year we did have a heat wave that lasted most of our summer days.
The kids may be back to school. College is starting soon. My little three year old superstar is already dictating what he wants to wear for Halloween but before all that there are the festivals of September to enjoy!
Roll up, roll up, because these are my top festival picks for September 2018 on the Island of Ireland.
My Top Festival Picks in Leinster this September 2018
Festival: Vitality Expo
Where: RDS Industries Hall, Merrion Road, Dublin 4
When: September 8th and September 9th
Website: vitalityexpo.ie
Ireland’s largest natural health and wellbeing event will take place in Dublin’s RDS on the 8th and 9th September.
Sponsored by LifeForce and presented by Health Stores Ireland and INM Events, Vitality Expo will feature four stage areas where Irish and international experts on natural health, wellbeing, nutrition and natural skincare. Topics will include healthy living, natural remedies, stress management and mindfulness. There will also be 160 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and innovations in health and wellbeing. Other highlights over the weekend will include demonstrations and discussions on the cookery stage as well as yoga, Pilates and workouts in the outdoor entertainment area.
Festival: Dublin Fringe Festival
Where: Various Venues across Dublin City
When: September 8th – September 23rd
Website: fringefest.com
“Followed by fans and first timers alike, Dublin Fringe Festival draws more than 30,000 spectators for 16 days and nights each September, transforming Dublin into an exposé of great creative talent from around the globe. The scale and environment of the festival broadens arts participation, introducing artists and audiences and playing a pivotal role in the fabric of Dublin and Irish cultural life.
Dublin Fringe Festival is a platform for the best new, emerging Irish arts companies and a showcase for the finest international contemporary performing arts. For artists, Fringe facilitates opportunities to innovate, to cross boundaries and strengthen the conditions in which they work. For audiences, Fringe is the place to discover meaningful, exciting and unforgettable cultural experiences.” fringefest.com
Festival: Dublin VegFest
Where: Griffith Conference Centre, South Circular Road, D 8
When: September 22nd and September 23rd
Website: dublinvegfest.com
“Dublin Vegfest takes place in Griffith College on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd September 2018 @ 11:00-18:00. It is a two-day celebration of a vegan lifestyle, the country’s biggest vegan food event with a large outdoor area, Speakers area, Vegan Food Village and Chill Zone. Expect vegan cheeses, falafels, burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, ice cream, chocolates, healthy salads, cakes and drinks. There’ll be cruelty free cosmetics and body care producers too. Diet and nutrition talks by experts, demo’s, performances & lots more! We’re expecting thousands of people to flock down over the weekend.
You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy the event! Everyone is welcome to try new foods, take a talk or hangout among a super friendly environment. Activities on the day include demo’s, talks by diet experts and stars of the plant based world, award winning bloggers, live music.” dublinvegfest.com
Festival: Dublin Theatre Festival
Where: Various Venues, Dublin
When: September 27th – October 14th
Website: dublintheatrefestival.com
“Established in 1957, Dublin Theatre Festival is Europe’s longest running theatre festival, running for 3 weeks each autumn. We bring world-class theatre to Dublin, support artists in creating outstanding work and provide a platform to showcase the best of Irish theatre to the world. The 2018 Dublin Theatre Festival will take place from September 27 – October 14.
At the heart of the festival is the city of Dublin – its people and its stories – and a commitment to contributing to the vibrant social and cultural life of our capital. Our mission is to present a programme of exceptional theatrical experiences that will appeal to the diverse communities that make up our city.” dublintheatrefestival.com
My Top Festival Picks in Munster this September 2018
Festival: Clonakilty International Guitar Festival
Where: Mainly The Showgrounds, Clonakilty, West Cork
When: September 17th – September 23rd
Website: clonguitarfest.com
Celebrating the 14th edition “From the Mon 17th – Sun 23rd September 2018 some of the world’s greatest guitarists will descend on a small seaside town in the southwest of Ireland.
The Clonakilty International Guitar Festival is a celebration of the guitar. It is not starch collared or stuffy nosed, from virtuosos to noodlers, all are welcomed and exalted!
The Festival is run by a not for profit voluntary organisation of music lovers and we are very proud of the rich, relaxed, educational, exciting & artistic environment our festival creates in our beautiful seaside town.
90% of the events are free over the majority of the weekend with only 4 shows Ticketed. One each day of the festival.” clonguitarfest.com
Festival: Féile Classical
Where: Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
When: September 21st and September 22nd
Website: feileclassical.ie
Originally a one day festival to be held on Saturday September 22nd, Féile Classical became a two day festival after the tickets to Saturday sold out swiftly. Féile Classical is a nod to the Féile festivals that took place in Semple Stadium in Thurles from 1990 to 1997 -the famous Trip to Tip.
This years Trip to Tip, curated and hosted by Tom Dunne will feature music from The Stunning, Hothouse Flowers, An Emotional Fish, Something Happens, The 4 of Us, The Frank & Walters, Hot House Flowers – all performing with the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
Tickets for Saturday 22nd are sold out but some tickets are still available for the Friday 21st.
My Top Festival Picks in Connacht this September 2018
Festival: The Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festivall
Where: Festival Marquee, Nimmo’s Pier, Galway City
When: September 28th – September 30th
Website: galwayoysterfestival.com
The Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival is “the oldest oyster festival in the world and the most internationally recognised Irish festival after St Patrick’s Day. Deemed one of Europe’s longest-running food extravaganzas, the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival was launched in September 1954 by Brian Collins, the manager of the Great Southern Hotel (now called Hotel Meyrick).
Growing ever since, The Irish and World Oyster Opening or ‘shucking’ Championships are held during the Irish food festival, as well as top class entertainment, street parades, seafood trails, celebrated hospitality, the start of many new friendships, flowing champagne and of course, rich, creamy Irish stout.” galwayoysterfestival.com
My Top Festival Picks in Ulster incl. Northern Ireland this September 2018
Festival: Aspects Festival
Where: Various Venues, Bangor, Co. Down
When: September 1st – September 30th
Website: aspectsfestival.com
This year’s Aspects Festival “offers something for everyone and every age, from poetry to prose, from journalism to wellbeing, from drama to the visual arts”. Events take place in the Festival Yurt in Bangor’s beautiful Walled Garden with a highlight of Northern Irish author Maggie O’Farrell making her first appearance at the festival at her event at Bangor Castle.
“This year’s Young Aspects offers a wonderful weekend of family-friendly creative events aimed at inspiring young imaginations. While those of you looking to enhance and improve your own writing skills need to look no further than our professional development for writers’ weekend.” aspectsfestival.com
Festival: Armagh Food & Cider Festival
Where: Various Venues in Armagh
When: September 20th – September 23rd
Website: visitarmagh.com
“The Armagh Food & Cider Festival promotes the best of Armagh cuisine combined with the delicious local apple juices and award-winning Ciders. The Festival features a blend of bespoke, site-specific Orchard events combined with taste experiences and lively city centre events all with the PGI Armagh Bramley Apple at their heart.
Festival highlights for 2018 will include: Artisan Food and Cider Markets: a Festival highlight will be the Orchard Markets, bringing the best of fresh produce and taste sensations together in bustling markets in Armagh and Banbridge.
High quality artisan food, beverage and craft producers will gather to showcase their exceptional products in a unique setting.” visitarmagh.com
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Edwina O'Connor
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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The only thing I have about festivals in Ireland is the food offerings. Especially harvest style festivals. You always have the same guys doing the rounds. I’ve only been to food festivals down south but would love to see the ones in the more northerly counties to see if the stalls etc are different. Nice post …. sorry , should have started with that !!
Thanks Shane – I find it’s the smaller festivals that you find something different because there will be locals selling their wares, but I do hear you on seeing some of the same stands – just shows how popular they are though! Yeah you should give the North of Ireland a go! Would love to head up for a ‘foodie’ ramble myself! Thanks for commenting fellow blogger 🙂