Page 54 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

52  INTRODUCING IRELAND
IRELAND THROUGH THE YEAR

Popular months for visiting Ireland are July honour of everything from food to religion.
and August, and Belfast no longer closes A common thread is music, and few
down in July for the marching season. festivities are complete without musical
June and September can be pleasant but accom paniment. Ireland is at its best during
never count on the weather, for Ireland’s celebrations, so is an inspired choice for
lush beauty is the product of a wet climate. Christmas and New Year. Look out for the
Most tourist sights are open from Easter to word fleadh (festival) but remember that
September but have re stricted opening the Irish are spontaneous: festivities can
hours or close in the low season. During spring from the air, or from a tune on a
spring and summer, festivals are held in fiddle. Festival dates may vary.

Summer
For the visitor, summer
represents the height of the
festive calendar. This is the
busiest time of year for organ-
ized events, from music and arts
festivals to lively local race
meetings, summer schools and
matchmaking festivals. Book
accommodation if your plans
include a popular festival.

Dublin’s annual parade to celebrate St Patrick’s Day (17 March)
Spring Feis Ceoil, Dublin (end Mar).
A classical music festival
St Patrick’s Day is often said to held at many different venues
mark the beginning of the throughout the city.
tourist season. Later, the spring
bank holiday weekend in May, April
when accommodation is in Pan Celtic Festival, location Beach races at Laytown
short supply, is celebrated with changes annually. A lively
music in most places. After the celebration of Celtic culture, June
quiet winter months, festivals with music, dance and song. Kilkenny Cat Laughs (end
and events start to become Cork Choral Festival (late Apr). May–early Jun). Internationally
more common. renowned comedy festival.
May County Wicklow Garden
March Belfast Civic Festival and Festival (May–Jul). Held at
St Patrick’s Festival (17 Mar). Lord Mayor’s Show (mid-May, private and public gardens
Five days of parades, concerts, see pp280–81). Street parade around the county, including
céilí dances and fireworks in with bands and floats. Powerscourt (see pp138–9).
Dublin, and parades in all major Balmoral Show, Belfast (mid-May). Dublin Docklands Maritime
towns around the country. A three-day show with a Festival (early Jun). Tall ships,
Horse Ploughing diverse range of events street theatre, outdoor markets,
Match and Heavy including sheep-shearing concerts and events for all ages.
Horse Show, competitions, danc ing dogs Women’s Mini Marathon,
Ballycastle (17 and fashion shows. Dublin City (early Jun).
Mar, see p270). “A Taste of Baltimore” Bloomsday, Dublin (16 Jun).
A popular annual Shellfish Festival Lectures, talks, readings and
competition. (end May, see p174). walks to celebrate James Joyce’s
DLR Poetry Now Fleadh Nua, Ennis, greatest novel, Ulysses.
Festival (end Mar). end May, see p193). Scurlogstown Olympiad Celtic
Dun Laoghaire. Four- Four days of tradi- Festival, Trim (early Jun, see p252).
day celebration of A St Patrick’s Day float tional Irish music, Traditional Irish music and
Irish poetry. advertising Guinness songs and dance. selection of a festival queen.

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