Events across Ireland this September
The summer might be coming to an end but luckily September is one of the most fun-filled months of the year, with loads going on in every corner of Ireland. Here’s our pick of the best.
August 31st – September 2nd: Electric Picnic, Stradbally, Co. Laois
This festival is probably known to most people and this year the line-up is one of the best ever. Apart from world class music, the Laois based festival offers everything from comedy to theatre and interactive art and holistic health to world cuisine.
https://www.electricpicnic.ie
September 7th-9th: Waterford Harvest Festival, Waterford City, Co. Waterford
A city wide festival celebrating food heritage and culture in Waterford. It’s a fun filled foodie weekend. There’s something to suit all tastes, with cookery demonstrations, tastings, workshops. It’s a wonderful weekend of street parties, with a picnic, a market, and lots more besides- all basking in the glory of the delicious food on offer in the city by the coast.
http://www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie/
September 7th-16th: A Taste of West Cork, Multiple locations in Co. Cork
This is a festival that celebrates all that is unique about West Cork - the food, the producers, the landscape and the people. It brings together a unique mix of food markets and cooking demonstrations, food tastings and cookery competitions, special dinners, brunches and banquets, talks and exhibitions, children's events, adventures and more.
It is one of Ireland's longest running food festivals offering up world renowned food combined with the most idyllic landscape, making it the perfect festival for all the family.
There is something to tempt every palate and many of the events are free.
http://www.atasteofwestcork.com/
September 8th & 9th: Athlone Shannon Feastival, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Don't miss a weekend of fun on and off the water this September at the Athlone Shannon Feastival.
Be there as the River Shannon in the heart of Athlone comes alive with this fun-filled, family-oriented, two-day event. Activities will include food experiences, fashion events, whiskey tasting, walking tours, BBQs, cookery demonstrations, water activities, wellness, music and entertainment events, and much more.
http://athlone.ie/visit/athlone-shannon-feastival/
September 8th-23rd: Dublin Fringe Festival, Dublin City
Fringe is home to bold ideas, brave performing arts and adventurous audiences. Presenting some of the most cutting edge dance, theatre, comedy and loads more.
Some of the brightest lights of performing arts have gotten their break in the Fringe, so go and see the next big thing. 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 city and the globe.
http://www.fringefest.com/
September 13th & 14th: Ocean Film Festival, Dublin, National Concert Hall & Cork, The Everyman Theatre
Showcasing the best short films from around the globe, Ocean film Festival is a mesmerising celebration of the power and beauty of the marine world and its crucial place in the lives of every living thing on earth. This collection of short films celebrates divers, paddlers, surfers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray. Be wowed at the mind blowing marine life; exhilarated by the power of the waves, and inspired by the characters who dedicate their lives to answering the call of the ocean.
https://goo.gl/9eQPW4
September 13th-16th: Shorelines Arts Festival, Portumna, Co. Galway
A festival designed to foster the arts in the communities of Lough Derg and the Slieve Aughties, Shorelines Arts Festival celebrates art in all forms. There’s a strong emphasis on literature, visual arts, drama and music, and their film game is particularly solid — the festival even spurred a weekly film club.
www.shorelinesartsfestival.com
September 18th-20th: National Ploughing Championships, Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
The National Championships is now no longer just for ploughing or machinery enthusiasts, this huge, modern event now features something for just about every walk of life. From a massive array of food, loads of fun events and of course the ploughing, there is so much to see and do, you’ll be walking for miles! Children will never get bored with picnic areas, a playground, baby changing and feeding facilities, a funfair and bandstand entertainment to cater to children.
http://www.npa.ie/
September 20th-23rd: Cashel Arts Festival, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
This four-day festival features a fine selection of contemporary arts events set amongst the dramatic backdrop of significant heritage sites in the town.
Take your pick from music, dance, visual arts, film, theatre, workshops, family events and literature events. Involving and encouraging visitors and the local community to participate in a wide variety of arts is key to this festival.
Whether you want to sit back and be entertained or get stuck in and learn something new, there's something for you in Cashel this autumn.
www.cashelartsfest.com
September 21st: Culture Night, Multiple locations Nationwide
A late night of FREE family-friendly entertainment across the island of Ireland! There is a packed programme in store for Culture Night 2018, which takes place across the State on September 21st. Events across arts, music, history, heritage and science are in store for people of all ages.
The free annual event encourages more people to visit cultural venues and to experience culture in their own locality.
Culture Night is promoted by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with regional arts offices, local authorities and cultural organisations throughout the island of Ireland. See what’s on in your area here >
https://culturenight.ie/
September 22nd: Harvest Moon Celebrations, Hook Lighthouse, Hook Head, Co. Wexford.
The Harvest Moon gets its name from it being the traditional time at which farmers would start gathering their crops to prepare for winter under the bright full moon which would allow them to work a little longer out in the fields.
From 5.30pm on the night, visitors will be invited to gather around on the lawns of Hook Lighthouse where there will be straw bales to sit on and fire pits to keep everyone warm. There will be traditional harvest fare on offer from the Hook Lighthouse Café from a Wexford baked potato to Hook Chowder and even some locally produced craft beer, such as the Hook Pilsner from Arthurstown Brewing Company.
There’ll also be live music at this magical event, and a photography competition open to all.
http://hookheritage.ie/events/
September 28th: Battle for the Lake, Achill, Co. Mayo
A gathering of kite surfers from all around Ireland and beyond, Battle for the Lake marks the culmination of the Irish Kitesurfing Tour. One for the outdoorsy folk, Battle for the Lake is the brainchild of Pure Magic, home of adventure on Achill. The big event? The Burning Lake on the final night, with a huge fireworks display.
www.battleforthelake.com
September 28th-30th: Galway International Seafood & Oyster Festival, Galway
Launched in September 1954, this is “Irelands longest running and greatest gourmet extravaganza” according to the Rough Guide.
During this fun food festival, you can expect to experience a wide variety of tantalising events from seafood trails, oyster hot spots, the Oyster 'Olympics', foodie talks & tasting events in some of Galway’s finest restaurants, a Mardi Gras style Gala event through the streets of Galway, Best Dressed Lady competition, live music and much more in and around ones of Ireland’s most laid back places.
http://galwayoysterfestival.com/
September 29th & 30th: Hell & Back, Kilruddery Estate, Co. Wicklow
Fans of the TV show Ireland’s Fittest Family will recognise the crazy mud of the country’s largest and most popular obstacle course adventure run.
Set in the spectacular working farm of Killruddery House, which is converted into an adventure playground, where to survive, you must conquer all the elements thrown at you. Participants must cross rivers and lakes, climb hills and mountains and crawl through bogs and swamps, as well as overcome the infamous man-made obstacles, including the Water Jump, 10 Foot Wall and Ice Baths. This can be a real family affair too, with courses for all ages and athletic abilities.
http://hellandback.ie/Current-Events.aspx
We hope this guide will help you get ready for real fun this September. And remember, if you are a Liberty insurance customer, we’re there to help you be Ready for the Real World too.