5 of Ireland’s lesser-known festivals

Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit, Bloomsday… we all love the big festivals that bring Ireland to life each year. But for those seeking something a little different, it pays to look beyond the mainstream to some of our island’s more idiosyncratic cultural celebrations.

Closely guarded and under-the-radar, these are the gatherings that get people talking about places with names like Lisdoonvarna, Dalkey, and Killorglin, and inspire countless off-the-beaten-track travel itineraries and spontaneous weekend road trips.

Ours is the country with a matchmaking festival still going strong after 167 years, after all, so we know a thing or two about the thrill of discovering the unexpected!

These lesser-known Irish festivals offer a delightful escape from the conventional, inviting us to look a little deeper to find the true meaning of the word ‘festivity’.

There’s something truly special about stumbling upon a lesser-known festival gem, so if you’re feeling curious, take a look through some of our top picks:

For music, tune in to Uke Fest in Galway

Entering its fifth year in 2024, Galway’s quirky Uke Fest has become a cherished local tradition, with tickets selling out in no time.

Each June, attendees flock to the city’s Latin Quarter to enjoy a vibrant line-up of concerts, workshops, street performances, and competitions, all featuring the unmistakably lively sounds of the ukulele.

A highlight of each year is the huge flashmob (that you can join!) that takes over the streets for one ukulele-driven song only before mysteriously dispersing as though nothing ever happened.

For food, take a bite out of Applefest in Tipperary

Clonmel’s Applefest is an annual celebration of the local culture and heritage of Tipperary’s buzzing riverside borough of Clonmel.

Built around the annual apple harvest fair, the festival originated in 2017 with the 'Apple Treasures' project by 2CanDo Arts, intertwining Clonmel's apple-growing traditions with collaborative projects led by national and local artists to showcase the town's rich cultural landscape.

Applefest not only honours Clonmel's past but also envisions a future where its unique identity flourishes. Expect live music, exhibitions, storytelling, and lots more.

For literature, check out the Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin

A festival for horror fans in the heart of the capital? Look no further than the Bram Stoker Festival, honouring the iconic Irish writer of Dracula with dark spectacles and immersive experiences across Dublin over the October Bank Holiday weekend.

From Gothic parades to eerie banquets in sacred crypts, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t want to miss.

For sport, give Poc Fada in Louth a whack

Meaning “long puck” as Gaeilge, Poc Fada is like nothing you’ve seen before.

This annual all-Ireland championship draws quite the crowd for a day of festivities as the skills of top Hurling and Camogie players are tested with a challenge of epic proportions: competitors must strike a sliotar (Irish hurling ball) with a hurley (camán in Irish) to the summit of Annaverna Mountain, and then onward over a 5km course to Aghameen.

Originating in 1960, the competition has evolved, welcoming legends like Kilkenny goalkeeper Ollie Walsh and showcasing the skills of both men and women in a spirited celebration of Ireland's sporting heritage and community.

For local culture, get your goat at Puck Fair in Kerry

Finally, is there a festival that inspires more intrigue and excitement than the iconic Puck Fair? Held each August, Ireland's oldest festival brings the young and old alike out onto the streets of Killorglin for free family-friendly street entertainment rooted in Gaelic traditions.

Of particular interest is of course the crowning of King Puck – a Kerry mountain goat – to mark the start of the festivities and to symbolise camaraderie and a brief respite from daily worries.

In 2023, the festival evolved, with King Puck's role shifting to brief appearances, maintaining tradition while adapting to modern sentiments.

Though its origins are shrouded in mystery, historical references from the early 17th century hint at Puck Fair’s long-standing presence in the community. And it’s always a roaring good time.

Discover more from Irish culture around the world here.