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February
May
June
July
August
September
Oct
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Festivals And Events in 2008
Area Attractions
Festivals
ANNUAL FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS for 2008
February
February (TBD)
Micho Russell Festival (Doolin, County Clare) (Doolin, County Clare)
This annual festival is held in Doolin in remembrance of Micho Russell,
the world-famous traditional musician. Organised by the Doolin community
since 1995, it is a landmark on the traditional festival calendar
as one of the earliest festivals of the year.
It also hosts some of the best of traditional entertainment and
attracts musicians from around the country.
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May
May
18 - 26, 2008
Fleadh Nua (Ennis, County Clare)
Fleadh Nua moved to Ennis, County Clare in 1974. The festival's
programme of activities include educational workshops in music,
song and dance, exhibitions, lectures, film shows, and more, with
something for every one of the 50,000 patrons to enjoy. For more
information, log on to www.fleadhnua.com.
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June
June (TBD)
Doonbeg International Jazz Festival (Doonbeg, County Clare)
The International Jazz Festival attracts visitors from all over
to enjoy a weekend of swing, Dixie, and jazz featuring bands from
Ireland, Britain, and Europe. All the pubs and restaurants in the
Doonbeg village will have non-stop music throughout the weekend.
In addition to the scheduled performances (which are all free of
charge), there will be jam sessions, open air music, barbeque, and
street entertainment.
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July
July
(TBD)
Willie Clancy Summer School (Miltown Malbay, County Clare)
The Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy is Ireland's largest traditional
music summer school, held annually since 1973 in memory of the piper
Willie Clancy. During the school, nearly a thousand students from
every part of the world attend daily classes taught by experts in
Irish music and dance. In addition, the school runs a full program
of lectures, recitals, dances, and exhibitions. All events are held
in and near Miltown Malbay, County Clare.
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July 14 - 27
Galway Arts Festival (Galway City)
Galway, long considered a centre of cultural excellence, is proud
to host Ireland's largest and most prestigious annual arts festival.
A stunning fortnight of cultural activity and celebration, the festival
features writers, artists, performers, and musicians from Canada,
England, France, Scotland, and the USA who join those from Ireland
in creating theatre, spectacle, street art, music, comedy, literature,
and music. For more information, log on to www.galwayartsfestival.ie
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July
28 - August 3
Galway Races (Galway City)
The Galway Races is one of the greatest and most lavish Irish Racing
Festivals - a fixture in the Irish Racing World Calendar. It is
not only a fabulous sporting event, but also a unique social occasion,
with great atmosphere and craic, attracting both the racegoer and
non-racegoer alike. For more information, log on to www.galwayraces.com
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August
2nd week in
August
Family Festival (Doonbeg, County Clare)
For more than 30 years the Family Festival has been a part of Doonbeg's
rich tradition. Activities include a cultural parade, barbeque,
talent contest, children's fancy dress competition, and the once
seen, never forgotten, donkey derby.
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August
(TBD)
Feakle International Festival (Feakle, County Clare)
The Festival, based in the homely village of Feakle, East Clare,
Co. Clare, started in 1988 and is now respected worldwide as one
of the best of it's kind in the country. A wonderful five days of
music, song, dance, Céili's, workshops, lectures, recitals,
and sessions.
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August (TBD)
Eigse Mrs. Crotty (Kilrush, County Clare)
Eigse Mrs. Crotty, now in its 12th year and held in Kilrush, Co.
Clare, is a five day celebration of the life and music of one of
the outstanding figures of traditional Irish music.
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August (TBD)
Merriman Summer School (Lisdoonvarna, County Clare)
Cumann Merriman, located in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, was founded
in 1967 in honour of Brian Merriman, author of the eighteenth century
Rabelaisian poem, Cúirt an Mheán Oíche (The
Midnight Court). The school encourages interest not only in the
poet and in the history and tradition of Thomond, the ancient Munster
district that includes parts of Tipperary and Limerick, along with
all of County Clare, but also in every aspect of Irish culture including
the language, history, literature, dance, and music.
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August (TBD)
Surfing Blitz International (Spanish Point, County Clare)
This weekend festival highlights the seaside resort of Spanish Point,
Co. Clare and its excellent surfing. There are events for all the
family including "music on the beach," crab races, a lifeguard
expo, sand sculpting, and other beach activities.
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September
September
Clarinbridge Oyster Festival (Clarinbridge, County Galway)
The first Oyster Festival in Clarinbridge (Co. Galway) took place
in September 1954, and it continues to be an integral part of life
in this area. The programme includes a market day, golf tournaments,
yacht races, art and photographic exhibitions, a fine wine and gourmet
evening, talks, and lectures, all culminating in an action-packed
weekend of top tier entertainment. Tradition guarantees visitors
the very best in oysters and seafood.
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September 25 - 28
Galway International Oyster Festival (Galway City)
For four days and nights, Galway celebrates as guests from all over
the world down oysters, Guinness, and gourmet delights with the
pubs hosting a variety of exciting and lively music to cater for
every taste. More information is available at www.galwayoysterfest.com
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October
August
29 - October 5
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival (Lisdoonvarna, County Clare)
The Matchmaking Festival takes place every year during September
and October in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare. The matchmakers of old
would attend street fairs, getting to know the farmers with eligible
sons and daughters around the country. The matchmakers would then
invite the farmers to attend the Festival the following September,
collecting the generous dowries when the matches were made. Today,
though the festival is more about the craic than the matchmaking,
there are still two matchmakers in County Clare. More information
is available at www.matchmakerireland.com/festival.html
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