Midsummer magic
returns to Cork
Cork Midsummer Festival returns for 10 days of Irish and international theatre, music, dance and more from 13-22 June.
Your festival journey could include a 4am visit to Cork Opera House, a one-on-one encounter with an actor on Emmet Place or a visit to a dazzling sun installation at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
There are shows you won’t see elsewhere in Ireland, art that will be viewed for the very first time and moments that will never be repeated, according to the organisers.
Some of the many highlights include an unmissable 24-hour theatrical marathon, A Second Woman, featuring the acclaimed Cork actress Eileen Walsh and Les Girafes: An Animal Operetta through Cork city centre.
Bottlenose: A Mystery For Modern Ireland is also a new production described as Hollywood noir meets contemporary Ireland, all wrapped up in a mystery after Fungie the Dolphin is assassinated.
See corkmidsummer.com
Ballyhean Goes Country
in Castlebar
Country superstar Nathan Carter headlines the Ballyhean Goes Country Music Festival in Mayo.\Claire Nash
Ireland’s biggest country stars will converge on Ballyhean, just a short hop from Castlebar, from 6-8 June for a weekend of toe-tapping fun in Co Mayo.
Ballyhean Goes Country Music Festival will feature top names like Nathan Carter, Jimmy Buckley and Derek Ryan in the Big White Barn Dance, as part of one of the west’s biggest country music events.
This is an over-18s festival with a full bar in the marquee, and a chipper on-site. Tickets from €26.50 to €36.50.
See ballyheanegoescountry.com
Walking in the Cooley
Mountains
Enjoy walks in the scenic Cooley Mountains as part of the Táin International Hillwalking Festival on 14 and 15 June.
Walk back in time and enjoy some of Ireland’s best scenery as you hear all about the legends of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Cuchulainn, Queen Méabh and the great brown bull of Cooley at the fifth annual Táin International Hillwalking Festival, taking place over the weekend of 14-15 June.
Tour guides will lead walkers to ancient ringforts, cairns and megalithic tombs, along with boolies and sweathouses from our more recent past in the scenic Cooley Mountains in Co Louth.
There are a variety of Grade 1 (strenuous), Grade 2 (less strenuous but still requiring a good level of fitness) and Grade 3 (easier and shorter) walks to choose from, varying from over 7km to just over 16km.
A one-day ticket costs €15, and a two-day ticket is €25, which includes transport to and from the walks. New walkers most welcome. Registration each day takes place at Dundalk Tourist Office.
See eventbrite.ie/e/tain-international-hillwalking-festival
Classic Car Show
in Wexford
The picturesque Wells House and Gardens in Wexford plays host to the south-east’s largest classic car exhibition on Father’s Day (15 June). Now over 10 years running, the Classic Car Show event – in conjunction with Gorey Motor Club – will feature hundreds of vintage cars, sports cars, trucks and steam engines along with some modern-day classics.
In addition, there will be live music, a food village and family activities on display at the estate, located at Ballyedmond, between Wexford and Gorey, from 10am-4pm. And if that’s not enough, there are woodland walks, an adventure playground, an arboretum and tours of the house and gardens detailing its 400-year history.
See wellshouse.ie
Mike Denver in Midleton,
Co Cork
Country star Mike Denver will entertain revellers at Midleton RFC outdoors on 21 June. /David Ruffles
Summer means great music gigs outdoors, and what could be better than jiving or line dancing to Mike Denver and his band at Midleton Rugby Club, Co Cork on the longest day of the year, 21 June?
The Portumna singer, also known as ‘The Galway Boy’, will entertain over 1,000 revellers at Townspark with his lively brand of country hits from his 20-plus albums at the club’s eagerly awaited fundraising concert so it can continue to grow and develop to safeguard the future of rugby in the area.
The gig also features support from The Joe Dolan Tribute, aka Pascal Brennan, Barry Darcy of Ireland’s Got Talent fame, plus special guests.
Tickets cost €27.50, including a booking fee. All under-18s must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
See tickets.ie
Family friendly festival in lovely Lough Key
A fire dancer from last year's Night and Day Festival in Rosommon. /Cían Flynn
In a few short years, the Night and Day Festival in Roscommon has become a highly regarded fixture on Ireland’s music festival calendar.
Its reputation can only grow in 2025 with KT Tunstall, Paul Brady, The Wailers, The Stunning and Lisa Hannigan among the impressive lineup from 27-29 June across four stages at Lough Key Forest Park, near Boyle.
It also boasts a full itinerary of immersive family-friendly activities such as dance workshops, kids’ yoga, circus skills, nature foraging, ancient bemusement games, an imagination playground, craft making and much more.
A new wellness area will be situated on the banks of scenic Lough Key which will feature morning yoga, reiki, breathwork workshops, saunas and much more.
Festivalgoers can also avail of the on-site activities such as zip-lining courses, boat tours, kayaking and forest trails.
The festival is for over-20s, with children under 14 able to attend with a parent/guardian. A weekend ticket with camping costs €185, while one-day tickets are €88. Kids/teens under the age of 14 will require a €2 ticket to attend.
See nightandday.ie
Busking in Banbridge,
Co Down
Banbridge in Co Down will be buzzing on 14 June when a multitude of musicians, singers, bands and street performers take to the streets to compete for the coveted Buskfest title.
From budding buskers to seasoned singers or musicians, everyone is welcome to be part of this lively annual event, which attracts hundreds of participants from 2pm-5pm, all bidding to win a share of over €4,000 in prize money.
There will be lots of free, family entertainment on the day, and Buskfest will culminate with a fantastic evening concert in Banbridge town centre with last year’s winner Banshee and many more.
See buskfest.com
Folksy fun in
Co Galway
Kíla will play Galway Folk Festival from 4 to 8 June.
With over 60 live performances across five days and five unique stages, Galway Folk Festival promises an unforgettable experience for music fans from 4-8 June.
Renowned singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole will perform an intimate, Irish festival-exclusive show at the Town Hall Theatre, while Montreal’s celebrated singer Martha Wainwright will mark the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking self-titled debut album with a full live performance in Monroe’s. The impressive lineup also includes Fionn Regan, The Scratch, Kíla, Sean Keane, Project Smok, Seanchoíche, Daoirí Farrell and more.
See galwayfolkfestival.com
Midsummer magic
returns to Cork
Cork Midsummer Festival returns for 10 days of Irish and international theatre, music, dance and more from 13-22 June.
Your festival journey could include a 4am visit to Cork Opera House, a one-on-one encounter with an actor on Emmet Place or a visit to a dazzling sun installation at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
There are shows you won’t see elsewhere in Ireland, art that will be viewed for the very first time and moments that will never be repeated, according to the organisers.
Some of the many highlights include an unmissable 24-hour theatrical marathon, A Second Woman, featuring the acclaimed Cork actress Eileen Walsh and Les Girafes: An Animal Operetta through Cork city centre.
Bottlenose: A Mystery For Modern Ireland is also a new production described as Hollywood noir meets contemporary Ireland, all wrapped up in a mystery after Fungie the Dolphin is assassinated.
See corkmidsummer.com
Ballyhean Goes Country
in Castlebar
Country superstar Nathan Carter headlines the Ballyhean Goes Country Music Festival in Mayo.\Claire Nash
Ireland’s biggest country stars will converge on Ballyhean, just a short hop from Castlebar, from 6-8 June for a weekend of toe-tapping fun in Co Mayo.
Ballyhean Goes Country Music Festival will feature top names like Nathan Carter, Jimmy Buckley and Derek Ryan in the Big White Barn Dance, as part of one of the west’s biggest country music events.
This is an over-18s festival with a full bar in the marquee, and a chipper on-site. Tickets from €26.50 to €36.50.
See ballyheanegoescountry.com
Walking in the Cooley
Mountains
Enjoy walks in the scenic Cooley Mountains as part of the Táin International Hillwalking Festival on 14 and 15 June.
Walk back in time and enjoy some of Ireland’s best scenery as you hear all about the legends of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Cuchulainn, Queen Méabh and the great brown bull of Cooley at the fifth annual Táin International Hillwalking Festival, taking place over the weekend of 14-15 June.
Tour guides will lead walkers to ancient ringforts, cairns and megalithic tombs, along with boolies and sweathouses from our more recent past in the scenic Cooley Mountains in Co Louth.
There are a variety of Grade 1 (strenuous), Grade 2 (less strenuous but still requiring a good level of fitness) and Grade 3 (easier and shorter) walks to choose from, varying from over 7km to just over 16km.
A one-day ticket costs €15, and a two-day ticket is €25, which includes transport to and from the walks. New walkers most welcome. Registration each day takes place at Dundalk Tourist Office.
See eventbrite.ie/e/tain-international-hillwalking-festival
Classic Car Show
in Wexford
The picturesque Wells House and Gardens in Wexford plays host to the south-east’s largest classic car exhibition on Father’s Day (15 June). Now over 10 years running, the Classic Car Show event – in conjunction with Gorey Motor Club – will feature hundreds of vintage cars, sports cars, trucks and steam engines along with some modern-day classics.
In addition, there will be live music, a food village and family activities on display at the estate, located at Ballyedmond, between Wexford and Gorey, from 10am-4pm. And if that’s not enough, there are woodland walks, an adventure playground, an arboretum and tours of the house and gardens detailing its 400-year history.
See wellshouse.ie
Mike Denver in Midleton,
Co Cork
Country star Mike Denver will entertain revellers at Midleton RFC outdoors on 21 June. /David Ruffles
Summer means great music gigs outdoors, and what could be better than jiving or line dancing to Mike Denver and his band at Midleton Rugby Club, Co Cork on the longest day of the year, 21 June?
The Portumna singer, also known as ‘The Galway Boy’, will entertain over 1,000 revellers at Townspark with his lively brand of country hits from his 20-plus albums at the club’s eagerly awaited fundraising concert so it can continue to grow and develop to safeguard the future of rugby in the area.
The gig also features support from The Joe Dolan Tribute, aka Pascal Brennan, Barry Darcy of Ireland’s Got Talent fame, plus special guests.
Tickets cost €27.50, including a booking fee. All under-18s must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
See tickets.ie
Family friendly festival in lovely Lough Key
A fire dancer from last year's Night and Day Festival in Rosommon. /Cían Flynn
In a few short years, the Night and Day Festival in Roscommon has become a highly regarded fixture on Ireland’s music festival calendar.
Its reputation can only grow in 2025 with KT Tunstall, Paul Brady, The Wailers, The Stunning and Lisa Hannigan among the impressive lineup from 27-29 June across four stages at Lough Key Forest Park, near Boyle.
It also boasts a full itinerary of immersive family-friendly activities such as dance workshops, kids’ yoga, circus skills, nature foraging, ancient bemusement games, an imagination playground, craft making and much more.
A new wellness area will be situated on the banks of scenic Lough Key which will feature morning yoga, reiki, breathwork workshops, saunas and much more.
Festivalgoers can also avail of the on-site activities such as zip-lining courses, boat tours, kayaking and forest trails.
The festival is for over-20s, with children under 14 able to attend with a parent/guardian. A weekend ticket with camping costs €185, while one-day tickets are €88. Kids/teens under the age of 14 will require a €2 ticket to attend.
See nightandday.ie
Busking in Banbridge,
Co Down
Banbridge in Co Down will be buzzing on 14 June when a multitude of musicians, singers, bands and street performers take to the streets to compete for the coveted Buskfest title.
From budding buskers to seasoned singers or musicians, everyone is welcome to be part of this lively annual event, which attracts hundreds of participants from 2pm-5pm, all bidding to win a share of over €4,000 in prize money.
There will be lots of free, family entertainment on the day, and Buskfest will culminate with a fantastic evening concert in Banbridge town centre with last year’s winner Banshee and many more.
See buskfest.com
Folksy fun in
Co Galway
Kíla will play Galway Folk Festival from 4 to 8 June.
With over 60 live performances across five days and five unique stages, Galway Folk Festival promises an unforgettable experience for music fans from 4-8 June.
Renowned singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole will perform an intimate, Irish festival-exclusive show at the Town Hall Theatre, while Montreal’s celebrated singer Martha Wainwright will mark the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking self-titled debut album with a full live performance in Monroe’s. The impressive lineup also includes Fionn Regan, The Scratch, Kíla, Sean Keane, Project Smok, Seanchoíche, Daoirí Farrell and more.
See galwayfolkfestival.com
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