Page 55 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

IRELAND THROUGH THE Y EAR  53

Average Daily Hours of Sunshine
Sunshine Chart
Hours Hours The chart gives figures
10 10 for Dublin, though
conditions are similar
8 8
around the country.
6 6 The Southeast enjoys
more sunshine hours
4 4 than any other part of
Ireland, while Northern
2 2 Ireland receives
marginally fewer hours
0 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec of sun than the Republic.
Great Music in Irish Houses
(mid-Jun). Classical music in
grand settings at various venues.
Castleward Opera, Strangford
(all month, see p288). Opera
festival in the grounds of an
18th-century stately home.
County Wexford Strawberry
Festival, Enniscorthy (end Jun–
early Jul, see p153). Craft fair,
music, street theatre and,
of course, strawberries.
Dublin Pride, Dublin (end Jun).
A week-long celebration for the Traditional sailing craft in the Cruinniú na mBád at Kinvara (August)
capital’s LGBT community,
culminating in a street parade Mary from Dungloe Dublin Horse Show
and party in Merrion Square. Inter national Festival, Dungloe (first or second week).
(last week, see p232). Dancing, A premier showjumping
July music and selection of “Mary”, comp etition and social event.
Twelfth of July (12 Jul, see p248). the beauty queen. Puck Fair, Killorglin,
Members of the Orange Order Lughnasa Fair, Co Kerry (mid-Aug, see
march in towns across Northern Carrickfergus Castle p169). A wild goat is
Ireland to cele brate the Protest- (end Jul, see p279). crowned “king” at
ants’ landmark victory over King A popular medieval- this two-day-long
James II’s Catholic army in 1690. style fair. traditional festival.
Galway Arts Festival (third & Ballyshannon Blessing of the Sea
fourth weeks, see pp214–15). International Folk (second or third
Processions, concerts, street Festival (end Jul or Sunday). Held in
theatre, children’s shows and early Aug, see p235). seaside towns
other events in the medieval city Three days of trad- all over Ireland.
centre. Followed by Galway’s itional Irish music. Oul’ Lammas Fair,
pop ular five-day race meeting. O’Carolan Harp and Orangemen parading Ballycastle (mid–end
Traditional on the Twelfth of July Aug, see p270). A
Music popular fair that
Festival, Keadue, is particularly famous for its
Co Roscommon (end Jul edible seaweed.
or early Aug). Traditional Kilkenny Arts Festival (middle
music and dance of the month, see pp146–7).
celebrations. A major arts festival including
poetry, film and crafts.
August Rose of Tralee Festival,
Stradbally Steam- (end Aug, see p160). Bands,
engine Rally, Co Laois processions, dancing and
(early Aug). Many types selection of the “Rose”.
of steam-engine join Cruinniú na mBád, Kinvara
this rally. (mid-Aug, see pp215 & 218).
Galway Race Week, Co Various types of traditional
Galway (early Aug). World sailing craft take part in this
Steam-engine at Stradbally Rally (August) renowned horse racing. “gathering of the boats”.

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