Clare Festivals & Events 2010
Recurring events
O'Briens Tower - 1835 to 2010
- Date: All year round
- Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre
- Web: www.cliffsofmoher.ie
- Email: info@cliffsofmoher.ie
- Panoramic viewing and photo opportunities from the top of the Ciffs of Moher's first visitor centre, 175 years old. The O'Briens Story in Clare, family name history, O'Briens tower gifts. Year round activities.
Acoustic Concert Series Sixmilebridge
- Date: First Saturday January to March and October to December
- Contact: Brendan Walsh (086) 8464509
- Web: www.wmw.ie
- Email: bw@esatclear.ie
- 6 concerts in the courthouse Sixmilebridge promoting acoustic live performances from several different musical genres
Sunday Sessions Sixmilebridge
- Date: Every Sunday 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. from September to March
- Contact: Brendan Walsh (086) 8464509
- Web: www.wmw.ie
- Email: bw@esatclear.ie
- Traditional session for all ages and all levels. Fondly known as the "Improver's Session"
Celt Weekend in the Woods, Tuamgraney
- Date: May, July & October
- Contact: Sarah Thompson
- Web: www.celtnet.org
- Email: info@celtnet.org
- Choose from 18 environmental & ecological skills courses held in beautiful woodland setting open to adults all levels, & youngsters 8yrs +
Kilrush Farmers Market
Ennis Farmers Market
Set Dancing - Queens Hotel
- Date: Every Wednesday night
- Contact: Dick O'Connell (065) 682 0996
- Contact: Queens Hotel (065) 682 8963
January
Winter Music Weekend
- Date: 15th - 17th January
- Contact: Brendan Walsh (086) 8464509
- Web: www.wmw.ie
- Email: Bw@esatclear.ie
- Over 35 acoustic music events from traditional Irish to jazz in 12 intimate venues over one weekend
February
St. Brigids Celebrations
- Date: January 30th, 31st & 1st. February
- Contact: Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre - (065) 7086141
- Web: www.cliffsofmoher.ie
- Email: info@cliffsofmoher.ie
- St Brigid's day is the first day of spring with new beginnings celebrated at the Cliffs of Moher. Activities will include St. Brigid's Cross Weaving Lessons, Children's Set Dancing, Display of St. Brigid's Crosses and Brid Og Dolls, Local Art, Exhibition, Guided Tours, Traditional Irish Music, The O'Brien Story in Clare, Free Guided tours and lectures on wildlife
Valentines Celebrations
- Date: 13th & 14th February
- Contact: Cliff of Moher (065) 7086141
- www.cliffsofmoher.ie
- Email: info@cliffsofmoher.ie
- Matchmaking at the Cliffs of Moher, photo opportunities for couples in O'Brien's Tower, get engaged at the Cliffs of Moher
Russell Memorial Weekend, Doolin
- Date: February 26th - 29th
- Contact: Bev O'Connor (065) 7074595
- Web: www.michorussellweekend.ie
- Email: info@michorussellweekend.ie
- A weekend of traditional music, song and dance with workshops in several instruments, held annually in Doolin on the last full weekend in February
March
Corofin Trad Festival
Ennis Book Club Festival
Burren Spring Conference
- Date: March 5th - 7th
- Contact: Brid O'Loghlen (065) 7077200
- Web: www.burrencollege.ie
- Email: brid@burrencollege.ie
- Titled: Narratives of People and Place - with the Burren and the people who live and visit here as central characters, this Spring Conference explores the significance of narratives and stories, told and untold of the Burren
Seachtain na Gailge
- Date: 5th - 17th March
- Contact: Emer ni Fhalaitheartaigh (065) 6846512
- Web: www.clarecoco.ie
- Email: gaeilge@clarecoco.ie
- Imeachtaí Gaeilge agus dátheangacha ar siúl ar fud an Chontae. Ealaíon, ceol, filíocht, damhsa, oidhreacht, stair, scéalaíocht, dráma agus eile
St. Patrick's Celebrations
- Cliffs of Moher
- Date: 13th, 14th & 17th March
- Contact: Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre (065) 7086141
- Web: www.cliffsofmoher.ie
- Email: info@cliffsofmoher.ie
- Join in with St Patrick and friends to raise the Irish flag and sing the Irish national anthem, traditional Irish set dancing, story telling, face painting and guided tours
St. Patrick's Celebrations
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- Date: March 17th
- Contact: Central Reservations (061) 360788
- Web: www.shannonheritage.com
- Email: reservations@shannonheritage.com
- Enjoy traditional Irish music, set dancing classes, kids disco, snakes display an appearance by St. Patrick and much more!
Traditional Horse Fair
- Kilrush
- Date: 25th March
- Contact: (065) 9051047
Clare Drama Festival
- Scarriff
- Date: March 18th March - 27th March
- Contact: Doreen Hanley (087) 2686764
- Enjoy a series of excellent plays
April
Seabirds Festival
Easter Fun & Games at Craggaunowen
- Near Quin, Co. Clare
- Date: Easter Sunday, April 4th
- Contact: Central Reservations (061) 360788
- Web: www.shannonheritage.com
- Email: reservations@shannonheritage.com
- Superb family day out! Meet Easter Bunny and enjoy puppet shows, magic shows, bouncy castle and delicious Easter eggs
Cartoon Capers at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Easter Egg Treasure Trail at Aillwee Cave
May
Burren Law School
Burren in Bloom
PJ Hayes Memorial Weekend
- Feakle
- Date: 1st to 3rd May
- Contact: Gary Pepper (061) 924885
- Traditional music celebrating the memory of PJ Hayes
Fleadh Nua Festival
- Date: 23rd - 31st May
- Contact: Cois na hAbhna, Ennis. (065) 6824276, (086) 2672926
- Web: www.fleadhnua.com
- Email: ceoltrad@eircom.net
- Fleadh Nua is an exciting international festival of traditional music, singing and dancing offering a wide range of events
Burren Slow Food Festival
- Lisdoonvarna
- Date: 21st - 23rd May
- Contact: Birgitta Curtin (065) 7074432
- Web: www.slowfoodclare.com
- Showcasing the unique and excellent variety of local produce in the area. Various events throughout the weekend, including a Banquet, markets, food tastings and many more
Outdoor Landscape Painting Competition
County Fleadh, Ennis
- Date: 23rd - 31st May
- Contact: Cois na hAbhana (065) 6824276
- Web: www.coisnahabhna.ie
- Music, Song and Dance. Competitions, informal sessions and open air music
Iniscealtra Festival of Arts
- Mountshannon
- Date: 29th May - 7 June
- Contact: Nicola Henley (061) 921411, (087) 6735111
- Web: www.iniscealtra-artsfestival.org
- Email: nmhenley@eircom.net
- Multi-disciplinary Arts Festival in the lakeshore village of Mountshannon; music, film, dance and visual arts and green fair, with education programme and participatory events
Doonbeg International Jazz Festival
- Date: 4th - 7th June
- Contact: Philippa Siegrist (065) 9055345, (086) 0890479
- Web: www.doonbegjazz.com
- Email: strandcamping@oceanfree.net
- A weekend of Jazz, Dixie & Swing, Latin held in the Village of Doonbeg, West Clare. All Events free
June
Traditional Horse Fair
- Kilrush
- Date: 3rd June
- Contact: (065) 9051047
Spancilhill Fair (Horse Fair)
An Post Tour de Burren Cycle Challenge
July
Feile Brian Boru Festival
- Killaloe
- Date: June 29thh to 4th July
- Contact: Arlene White (086) 3586293
- Web: www.feilebrianboru.killaloe.ie
- Email: brianboru@killaloe.ie
- Feile Brian Boru is an annual 5 day festival held in Killaloe & Ballina to commemorate Ireland's Greatest High King in his native place
Armada International Week of Set Dancing
Ennis Street Festival
Willie Clancy Summer School
- Miltown Malbay
- Date: 3th to 11th July
- Contact: Harry Hughes (065) 7084281, 7084148
- E-mail: angleann@oceanfree.net
- Ireland's largest traditional music summer school, where students from every part of the world attend daily classes taught by experts in Irish music and dance. A full program of lectures, recitals, dances (céilithe) and exhibitions are run by the summer school. Music sessions throughout the day in the local pubs
South East Clare Agricultural Show
- Killaloe
- Date: 25th July
- Contact: Pat Duggan (061) 377778 or (087) 1312653
- Web: www.bridgetownshow.com
- Email: info@bridgetownshow.com
- Annual agricultural show held at Bridgetown, Co. Clare, with events for horses, ponies, showjumping, cattle, novelty events and much more
Scariff Harbour Festival
- Scariff
- Date: 30th July to 1st August
- Contact: Christina Crisewood (061) 921685
- Web: www.scariff.com
- Email: cgrisewood@scariff.com
- A varied programme of activities, arts, music and entertainment inspired by the "lake" theme
Seafood Festival Doonbeg
August
Burren Annual Exhibition
- Date: August/September
- Contact: Prof. Timothy Emlyn Jones (065) 7077200
- Web: www.burrencollege.ie
- Email: admin@burrencollege.ie
- An annual celebration of the best in new Irish and International contemporary art brought to the Gallery at Burren College of Art
Lughnasa Festival at Craggaunowen - The Living Past, near Quin, Co. Clare
- Date: August 1st and Bank Holiday Monday 2nd
- Contact: Central Reservations (061) 360788
- Web: www.shannonheritage.com
- Email: reservations@shannonheritage.com
- Featuring costumed re-enactors from the Bronze Age to Medieval times. Enjoy combat demonstrations, ancient cooking demonstrations and much more!
Rose of Clare
- Cooraclare
- Date: 1st to 6th August
- Contact: Mr. Sean Chambers (086) 0536615
- Web: www.cooraclare.com
Feakle International Traditional Music Festival
- Feakle
- Date: 4th to 10th August
- Contact: Gary Pepper (061) 924885 or (087) 9678020
- Web: www.feaklefestival.ie
- Email: garytpepper@eircom.net
- Besides providing a platform for local musicians to demonstrate their musical heritage, the Festival is noted for bringing together musicians from other traditional backgrounds to share in a unique musical experience
Fine Art Workshops
- Date: 9th - 27th August
- Contact: Brid O'Loghlen (065) 7077200
- Web: www.burrencollege.ie
- Email: brid@burrencollege.ie
- A series of 5day workshops in landscape painting, botanical painting, experimental drawing, abstract painting, photography and portfolio preparation
Inis Cathaigh CCE
- Kilrush Traditional Music and Set Dancing Weekend
- Date: 13th to 15th August
- Contact: Vincent O'Halloran (086) 0854834
- A Unique Festival of Concertina Music celebrating the legacy of a remarkable West Clare musician
Kilmurry Harvest Festival
- Date: 15th to 21st. August
- Contact: Sean O'Reilly (087) 9671623
- Email: SeanOReilly@dell.com
- Family event Kilmurry Family Festival field in Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, Great craic and lots of attractions for all ages, proceeds donated to local community projects
Traditional Market Day
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- Date: August 15th or 22nd from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. (date to be confirmed)
- Contact: Central Reservations (061) 360788
- Web: www.shannonheritage.com
- Email: reservations@shannonheritage.com
- Explore market stalls featuring locally crafted products and garden plants. Enjoy traditional music, sugan chair making demonstrations and much more!
Heritage Week
September
Cliffs of Moher Marathon
Dan Furey Weekend
- Labasheeda
- Date: 3rd to 5th September
- Contact: Liam Woulfe (087) 2220289
- Email: liam_woulfe@eircom.net
- A full weekend of set dancing to the best of Irish music all weekend in a relaxed rural setting
Ellen Galvin Traditional Music Week-end
- Date: 3rd - 5th September
- Contact: Mary Haugh (065) 9051597 or 086-3507255
- Web: www.nellgalvin.com
- Festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance with classes in various instruments given by well known Musicians
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
- Lisdoonvarna
- Date: 3rd September - 4th October
- Contact: (065) 7074005
- Web: www.matchmakerireland.com
- Ireland's premier Spa Town is famous for it's craic and is home to one of Europe's largest singles matchmaking festival
Tulla Traditional Music Festival
Clare Shout Fleadh
- Kilkishen
- Date: 17th - 19th September
- Contact: Mike Hogan (061) 367516 or (086) 2314685
- Email: mhogan07@eircom.net
Seisiun Na h-Eireann
- Quin
- Date: 25th to 27th September
- Contact: Eileen Hassett (087) 6371163
- Web: www.besttradsession.com
- Email: festival@besttradsession.com
- This Festival celebrates the Traditional Irish Music Pub Session. A competition is held to select the best group playing Irish traditional music in session form. The music sessions take place in the pubs of Quin
Traditional Harvest Day at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
October
Queen of Burren Festival
- Weekend Lisdoonvarna
- Date: 1st - 3rd October
- Contact: Robert Hurley (065) 7074696
- Email: hydrohotel@eircom.net
Traditional Horse Fair
- Kilrush
- Date: 11th October
- Contact: (065) 9051047
Willie Keane Memorial
Samhain at the Cliffs
- Date: 24th - 26th October
- Contact: Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre (065) 7086141
- Web: www.cliffsofmoher.ie
- Email: info@cliffsofmoher.ie
- Join in a host of festivities, fancy dress, traditional Irish Halloween games, story telling and face painting
Halloween Fun and Games at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Ennis Fashion Week
- Date: 17th - 24th October
- Contact: County Boutique (065) 6821947
- Web: www.visitennis.ie
- Why not visit this wonderful Town and enjoy shopping in the many family owned and run boutiques. Throughout the week there will be make- up demonstrations, special offers in shops, hotets and restaurants culminating with a Gala Fashion Ball
Mystery Halloween Party
November
Ennis Trad Festival
- Date: 11th - 15th November
- Contact: John Rynne (086) 8307050
- Web: www.ennistradfestival.com
- Email: contact@ennistradfestival.com
- Traditional Music Festival, Concerts, over 100 sessions, Free CD launch concerts, masterclasses, dance workshops, Céilí, Talks, Trad themed table quiz
Traditional Horse Fair
- Kilrush
- Date: 22nd November
- Contact: (065) 9051047
Santa's Workshop at Aillwee Cave
- Ballyvaughan
- Date: 21st November to 22nd December
- Contact: Barbara Faulkner (065) 7077036
- Web: www.aillweecave.ie
- Email: Barbara@aillweecave.ie
- Santa will be in his workshop at Aillwee Cave and will be meeting with children from 20 November - 22 December
Santa Claus at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- Bunratty. Co. Clare
- Date: Dec 4th - 22nd. Reservations Necessary
- Contact: Central Reservations (061) 360788
- Web: www.shannonheritage.com
- Email: reservations@shannonheritage.com
- See Santa and his elves, Mrs. Claus, puppet show, Christmas characters, themed Christmas shops and much more
December
Christmas Festivities & Activity
- Date: Dec. 1st - 23rd
- Contact: Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre (065) 7086141
- Web: www.cliffsofmoher.ie
- Email: info@cliffsofmoher.ie
- Enjoy local choir groups and children from local schools sing Christmas carols and perform traditional Irish Concerts
Ballyvaughan Christmas Event
- Date: 11-12th, 18-19th December
- Contact: Armin Crafkes (065) 7077377
- Email: info@drumcreehyhouse.com
- Each weekend enjoy christmas markets, workshops in Christmas decorations, cookery classes, choral recitals and concerts. A European style Christkindle Market, similar to those seen in Germany and Austria
Christmas Market
- The Courtyard, Doonbeg Golf Resort
- Date: December 11th and 12th
- Contact: Seamus Dooley (065) 9055618
- Email: seamus_dooley@doonbeggolfclub.com
- Web: www.doonbeggolfclub.com
- This two day market is based on an old world Christmas, with over 50 stalls focused on Christmas gifts, decorations and assorted Christmas food items
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