Page 56 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

54  INTRODUCING IRELAND

Average Monthly Rainfall Rainfall Chart
Ireland is one of the
MM Inches wettest countries in
100 4 Europe, with rainfall
80 distributed evenly
3 through the year – the
60 figures displayed here
2 are for Dublin. The
40 West has the heaviest
1 annual rainfall, while
20 the Southeast receives
marginally less rain
0 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec than other regions.
Dublin Fringe Festival
(two weeks mid-Sep).
The country’s biggest
performing arts festival
features music, dance
and street theatre.
Lisdoonvarna
Matchmak ing Festival
(all month and first week
of Oct, see p192). Singles All-Ireland Hurling at Croke Park, Dublin
gather for traditional
music and dance. in the restaurants, hotels and
Galway Oyster Festival (September) All-Ireland Football Final, pubs of Kinsale.
Croke Park, Dublin (3rd Sunday, Ballinasloe Fair, Co Galway
see p33). Gaelic football final. (first week). One of Europe’s
Autumn Galway Oyster Festival oldest horse fairs, staged amid
Oysters and opera are the two (end Sep, see pp214–15). Oyster lively street entertainment.
big events in autumn. There are tastings at different venues. Dublin Theatre Festival
also festivals devoted to jazz, film (first two weeks). Features
and music. The October bank October works by both Irish and
holiday week end is celebrated Oktoberfest, London­ foreign playwrights.
with music in many towns. derry (all month, see Wexford Festival
pp262–3). Dancing, Opera (last two weeks in
September poetry, film, comedy, Oct, see p339). A festival
Heritage Week (late Aug–early theatre and music. of lesser­known operas.
Sep). Events countrywide. Cork Film Festival Hallowe’en (Samhain)
Laytown Beach Races, Co (early Oct, see pp178–9). Horse and trap at (31 Oct). An occasion
Meath (first week of Sep). Irish and inter national celebrated all over
Horse races on the sand. film screenings. Lisdoonvarna fair the country.
All-Ireland Hurling Final, Kinsale International Festival Cork Jazz Festival (end Oct, see
Croke Park, Dublin (first or of Fine Food (early Oct, see pp178–9). An extremely popular
second Sunday, see p33). pp176–7). Superb food served festival, with music throughout
the city.
November
Belfast Festival at Queen’s,
Queen’s University (last two
weeks Oct, see pp282–3).
Arts festival featuring drama,
ballet, cinema and all types
of music from classical to jazz.
Éigse Sliabh Rua, Slieverue,
Co Kilkenny (mid-Nov). Festival
of local history and music with
guests and interesting talks.
Sligo International Choral
Festival (mid-Nov, see p238).
Choirs from around the world
A procession as part of Dublin Theatre Festival (October) in concert and competition.

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