June Bank Holiday events across Ireland: Joanne McNally to Nathan Carter and everything in between

From music and motors to comedy and culture, there are events planned the length and breadth of the country so to find out what’s happening near you, simply click on the interactive map below.

Bloom & The Wizard of Oz

The ever-popular Bloom will see green-fingered plant lovers and wannabe gardeners flock to the Phoenix Park throughout the weekend, with the festival also boasting a broad offering of artisan Irish food and craft. For those who fancy something a little less outdoorsy in the capital, The Wizard of Oz hits the stage in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

For The Music Lovers

Music-lovers will be spoiled for choice this weekend. The legendary Rory Gallagher will be celebrated at the festival in his name in Donegal, while BICEP and Nelly Furtado are set to take to the stage at Forbidden Fruit in Dublin. Two brand new events will see The Whistlin’ Donkeys, Chasing Abbey and Nathan Carter among the line-up at the “What’s De Craic” festival in Kildare, while Bell X1, Susan O’Neill and Ye Vagabonds will kick-off the first “When We Next Meet” festival in Tipperary.

Elsewhere, there will be a feast of country and Americana at Cowboys and Heroes in Leitrim; Bach and Debussy will be floating on the breeze at the Killaloe Music Festival in Clare; Paddy Casey will hit the stage in Cavan; and Ben Rau and Ryan Elliott will be among those entertaining the crowd at Éalú Le Grá in Galway.

For The Comedy Lovers

For giggles galore, the Kilkenny Cat Laughs Festival will have performances by Joanne McNally, Des Bishop, Gearóid Farrelly, Karl Spain and many more. If you can’t make it to the Marble City, Mario Rosenstock will have Sligo in stitches, while the Rebel Comedy Club and The Craic Den will be tickling funny bones in Cork and Dublin respectively.

For The Literature Lovers

The Goldsmith Festival in Longford will provide food for thought for literature lovers, while Listowel Writers’ Week is already under way down in Kerry. Elsewhere in the Kingdom, K-Fest is set to again highlight emerging artists and musicians, while the Lasta National Arts Festival in Galway is an event for young people by young people and the Seek Urban Arts Festival promotes contemporary urban art in Dundalk.

For The Thrill Seekers

Fans of roaring engines and classic cars will no doubt be interested in attending the Circuit of Munster Rally down in Limerick or getting a good look at the vehicles taking part in the Gordon Bennett Irish Classic Run as it passes through Carlow, Kildare and Laois. Those who like horsepower of a different kind might find themselves keeping an eye on the odds at the Listowel Races in Kerry or satisfying their need for speed at the Galway Rowing Regatta or by trying out one of the new rollercoasters at Emerald Park in Meath.

For Those Who Like The Outdoors

For more leisurely outdoor adventures this bank holiday weekend, the Táin International Hillwalking Festival in Louth and the Dingle Way Challenge in Kerry provide the perfect excuses to stretch those legs while taking in some of Ireland’s breath-taking scenery.

Today’s News in 90 seconds – 31st May 2024

For The History Enthusiasts

History enthusiasts are also well catered for thanks to the Timahoe Heritage Festival in Laois, the Jamestown Heritage Festival in Leitrim and the very first Shannonside History Festival in Limerick.

Local Celebrations

Finally, towns and villages all over Ireland are planning their own bank holidays celebrations with Headfest in Galway, Buncrana Music Festival in Donegal, Carrick on Shannon Carnival in Leitrim and Enniscorthy Street Rhythms Festival in Wexford all due to take place, alongside Balbriggan Summerfest, Skerries Midsummer Festival and Dalkey Vintage Festival in Dublin.