Foot-tapping, merry making good time - Top 10 2014 Festivals in Ireland

From opera to oysters - festivals in Ireland cover a multitude of activities, from literary pursuits at the Dublin Book Festival to the gems of the silver screen at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. Many of our clients prefer to travel to Ireland when there is something special going on, so they can partake in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Join in the festivities on your self-drive vacation to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations or bring your friends and family on a group vacation to Ireland for a foot-tapping, merry-making good time!

Here are just a few of the festivals going on in Ireland in 2014!

January

Temple Bar Tradfest - Dublin
January 22-26, 2014
The festival takes place over 5 days and 5 nights with over 200 events. The festival has been recognized for its contribution to Irish traditional music and culture with several awards including Best Traditional Music Festival in the 2008 and 2009 Festival Awards.

February

Jameson Dublin International Film Festival - Dublin
 February 13-23, 2014
Jameson Dublin International Film Festival continues its commitment to celebrating film as an art form by presenting over 120 films from the four corners of the globe to the Irish Audience. The festival is a citywide event that takes place in all of the Dublin City Centre Cinemas including Cineworld, The Savoy, Screen, Irish Film Institute and Light House Cinema in Smithfield. The majority of films shown at the film festival are Irish premieres, and for some of the films shown, the festival represents the only public screening that will take place in Ireland.

March

St. Patrick's Day - Ireland
March 17, 2014
On St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland is virtually bursting at the seams with street theater, Irish music, dance, street spectacles, comedy, film, a treasure hunt, Irish language events, family fun and of course the best St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world.

April

Waterford Festival and Food
April 10-13, 2014
This annual festival has become synonymous with fabulous food, fantastic family fun, magical music and much more!

May

Connemara Bog Festival
May 23 - June 2, 2014
An authentic, award-winning festival celebrating 30 years. A space for walking, talking and fun in the company of a multi-disciplinary team of poets, painters and musicians in the wondrous Conamara landscape.

June

Carlow Arts Festival (Eigse 2014), Carlow
June 6 - 15, 2014
Visual art, theatre, music, literature, street carnival, & cultural diversions of all shapes make up this 35-year-old festival which brings creativity to the towns, villages, mountain and riverbanks of Carlow.

July

Galway Arts Festival, Galway
July 14 - 27, 2014
Regarded as one of Europe's key cultural events, Galway Arts Festival is an international celebration of the performing and visual arts. Each year over 100,000 people attend the Galway Arts Festival, with hundreds of writers, artists, performers and musicians creating theatre, spectacle, street art, music, comedy, literature and music to produce a stunning fortnight of cultural activity and celebration. Galway Arts Festival is the defining cultural expression of Galway and is at the heart of all aspects life in the city.

August

Waterford Spraoi Festival
August 1-3, 2014
Spraoi, pronounced spree, is the Irish word for fun, exuberance and celebration. The Spraoi International Street Arts Festival has been staged in Waterford, Ireland, since 1993. For three days each year residents of this medieval city take to the streets and enjoy an international programme of street arts and spectacle. The festival is staged on August Bank Holiday Weekend, always marked by the first Monday in August. Waterford’s narrow medieval streets, squares, quays and historic buildings provide an atmospheric backdrop to Spraoi’s celebration of contemporary performance culture. The majority of the events are free and suitable for all ages. Performers and musicians from around the world feature in the Spraoi programme each year. The festival programme features the Irish Premeiers of International work. Spraoi also produces its own work for the festival, including The Spraoi Parade.

September

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, Co Clare
August 29 - October 5, 2014
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is Europe's largest singles event, with a whole month of dancing and craic starting at 12 noon til late into the night. The festival is Europe's largest singles event. There are five big weekends of dancing and craic. The dancing also starts at the town hall at 12 noon every day during the month of September and continues all over town til late. You can see Willie Daly one of Ireland’s oldest matchmakers at the matchmaker bar every weekend. If its craic and dancing you want Lisdoonaarna is not to be missed.

Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival, Galway
September 25 - 28, 2014
Each September, Galway City comes alive with seafood & oysters as it celebrates the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival, the most internationally recognised food festival in Ireland and the world's longest running International Oyster Festival. Throughout the festival, a host of tantalising events to whet your appetite will take place, including; a seafood trail in some of Galway city’s finest restaurants, Taste of the Sea/Blas na Mara - showcasing Galway's seafood heroes, the National Oyster Opening Championship, The Food village at The Festival Marquee, the World Oyster Opening Championship, a Mardi Gras event through the streets of Galway and the Festival Finale with family activities, kids fancy dress, live music, cooking demonstrations, Best Hot Oyster Dish challenge, Irish Coffee making and jive & jazz.

October

Beamish Cork Folk Festival, Co Cork
October, 2014
The Cork Folk Festival has been taking place annually since 1979 at 45 locations throughout the City of Cork. Throughout the five day festival, many of the events are free and audiences can sample everything from set to sean nós dancing, bluegrass to cajun music and singers' club to singer songwriters. The highlight of the festival takes place on Grand Parade, where up to 10,000 dancers gather to take part in Ireland’s largest open air céilí.

November

Dublin Book Festival, Dublin
November, 2014
Dublin Book Festival brings together the best of Irish publishing, offering a chance for the voices of both established and up and coming authors to be heard. Our poets and authors will gather to celebrate Dublin’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature. The Dublin Book Festival promises a great line-up within a relaxed and fun environment with something for everyone.

2014 is almost here! Let this be the year you find your perfect festival. See that amazing performance, run up that mountain, learn something new or round up your pals for a city break with a difference. Go on! Catch some festival fever!

Simply call Celtic Tours World Vacations today at 1-800-833-4373 and our reservation team will be happy to assist you with the best travel arrangements to take advantage of these and other special events.

Ballygally Castle Hotel Ghost

Every proper Irish castle has to have a ghost of some kind, and the ghost of Ballygally has been around for the best part of 400 years!

The popular theory is that the ghost is that of Lady Isobella Shaw, wife of Lord James Shaw. Lord Shaw wanted a son and when his wife delivered his heir, he snatch the baby from his wife. He locked her is a room at the top of the castle. While trying to escape to search for her beloved child, Lady Isobella fell to her death from the tower window!

Another theory is that she was actually thrown out of the window by the cruel Lord Shaw or one of his henchmen!

Lady Isobella's ghost is reputed to be a friendly spirit who walks the corridors of the old castle. Over the years many guests have reported strange experiences and have felt a presence in their rooms! There are also endless stories of unexplained noises in the night, and an eerie green mist over the castle! The hotel is so fiercly proud of their permanent resident they have given her her own bedroom 'The Ghost Room; in one of the towers in the oldest part of the castle!

In for a spooky adventure? Why not stay in Ballygally Castle! Travel to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Jerpoint Abbey

Jerpoint Abbey
Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

An outstanding Cistercian abbey founded in the second half of the 12th century. The church with its Romanesque details dates from this period. In the transept chapels the visitor can see 13th to 16th century tomb sculpture. The town and cloister date from the 15th century. The cheif delight of the Abbey is the sculptured cloister arcade with unique carvings. The Visitor Center houses an interesting exhibition. Access for visitors with disabilities. Guided tours available.

Travel to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations

6 Must Sees Along the Causeway Coast

The Causeway Coastal Route, from Belfast Lough to Lough Foyle is a kaleidoscope journey of natural wonders, peppered with villages and towns which have retained character and charm over the generations. Each have their own stories to tell of myth and history and you'll find that the enire nation seems to boast the famous 'gift of gab'. This makes asking directions a long drawn out affair, for everyone you ask will want you to see their favorite spot, but it all adds to the charm! To make your journey a little easier, we have included the top 6 must sees along this famous route!

1. The Giant's Causeway
A visit the Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site will unearth the famous legends and colorful folklore about the Causeway - layered basalt columns, left by volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago. There are coastal and cliff paths for exploration and the wreck site of the Armada treasure ship 'Girona' is located off Port-na-Spaniagh.

2. Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple
This attraction offers visitors the chance to explore a stunning landscaped park at Downhill Demesne with its beautiful sheltered gardens and cliff walks.

3. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Carrick-a-Rede offers visitors a unique experience to traverse a deep, wide chasm by a rope bridfe that was traditionally erected by salmon fishermen. Visitors can enjoy an exhilarating coastal walk with stunning views across to Rathlin Island as well as amazing flora, fauna and bird life.

4. Carrickfergus Castle
Dominating the town's skyline is Ireland's best preserved Norman Castle. Established in 1179 by John de Courcy, the castle has seen action right up until the Second World War.

5. Dunluce Castle
Clinging fast onto a dramatic clifftop, Dunluce is thought to be the most romantic and picturesque Castle in Ireland dating back to the 14th Century.

6. Old Bushmills Distillery Co Ltd.
Experience for yourself the unique whiskey making tradtion at Ireland's oldest working whiskey distillery. The guided tour of Ireland's only "grain to glass" distillery will unravel some of our trade secrets.

These are just a few of the amazing spaces and places to visit along Ireland's Causeway Coast. Start planning your vacation to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations!

Rathlin Island

Lying just over six miles north of the pretty seaside resort of Ballycastle, County Antrim, and 14 miles from the Mull of Kintyre, Scotland. Rathlin Island is situated within the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It includes several important natural heritage sites and is particularly internationally important for its flora and fauna and in some cases its unique underwater marine life. The island's rugged cliffs are home to the biggest seabird colony in Northern Ireland.

In addition to this it has many interesting listed buildings and a strong cultural heritage. Legend has it that Rathlin Island was the stopping place for Robert the Bruce and his famed spider?

Rathlin offers accommodation, bar, cafe, guided tours and information center. Access by ferry only! Travel to Rathlin Island with Celtic Tours World Vacations

The Watershee: Irish Folklore

Steeped in fairytale, mystery and a somewhat bloody history - the Emerald Isle naturally has its fair share of chilling stories, murdered spirits and friendly ghosts. The folktales of the Watershee are sure to tingle your spine!

The Watershee usually appears as either a female fairy or a beautiful woman. She lures weary travelers into bogs and lakes with her sweet singing. Then  drowns them and devours their souls.

Travelers wearing a cross or saying a prayer will be protected from the Watershee's dark and evil ways. Travel to Ireland, the land of myth and magic, with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Hill of Tara

Hill of Tara
Navan, Co Meath

Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the Hill of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage tomb was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a political and religious center in the early centuries of Christ. Attractions include an audio-visual show and guided tours of the site.

As much of the tour is outdoors, visitors are advised to wear weather protective clothing and shoes suitable for walking over uneven terrain. Restricted access for visitors with disabilities.

Travel to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations