Arts, Culture & Festivals

From the fire of the festival to the lure of literature, the island of Ireland boasts a rich tapestry of arts and cultural activities

Festivals of culture
As the Irish people have a genuine sense of fun, they invented a festival to celebrate all sorts of occasions – the least you can do is join in…

Always looking for a good excuse to have a festival, the Irish now celebrate everything from literary pursuits to a love of oysters

Musical traditions
From impromptu sessions in your local bar to the thrilling beat of U2, Ireland has always been home to the best sounds of music

Whether you want to mosh with the best of them in an outdoor field, or stroke your chin to a spot of jazz in a salubrious club, music is at the heart of social life in Ireland.

Buskers line the streets, festivals set small towns and villages ablaze and traditional music sessions entertain revelers in pubs across the country.

Further afield, Ireland’s massive musical successes include some bands and artists you may have heard of…U2, The Corrs, Enya, Westlife, Snow Patrol, Ash, David Holmes, Van Morrison and The Thrills, to name just a few.

Gardens & Nature

From the breathtaking drop of the Cliffs of Moher to the crafted elegance of stately homes, Ireland is truly nature’s best friend

The Emerald Gardens

With finely crafted lawns, exquisite flowers and impressive fountains and ponds, Ireland’s stately homes host the best in world-class horticulture

Garden Tour Suggestions

With such an array of spectacular gardens to explore, be sure to map out your visit so you don’t miss out on the best bits

The Natural Wonders

See the Irish landscape as nature intended with trips to some of the most stunning natural wonders in the world

Eco Friendly Visitor

No matter where you go around the island of Ireland, you’ll be treated to a spectacular landscape made all the more welcoming by the people who live in the communities.

History & Heritage

Dramatically shaped by heroic events through the centuries, Ireland has a fascinating heritage just waiting to be discovered

Castles

Whether crawling through centuries-old ruins or relaxing in 5-star luxury, Ireland’s castles pay homage to the inhabitants of times past

Ireland is as famous for its castles as for it's Guinness. Dotted around the land, these monuments to the past contain their own dark secrets and a trip through the Midlands gives a dramatic taste of treachery and skullduggery.

As the writer Frank O’Connor said, “It would take more than one lifetime to discover the reason for all the ruins in Ireland, but it sure makes for a diverting tour of discovery trying at least to scratch the surface.”

Ancient monuments
With a phenomenal array of historical attractions, Ireland is a thrilling destination for anyone with even a fleeting interest in the relics of the past

If you don’t know your Megalithic from your Neolithic, here’s a quick synopsis of Ireland's rich cultural heritage:

  • The first settlers in Ireland probably arrived from northern Britain some 9,000 years ago. They headed up the River Bann and probably settled at the foot of Mount Sandel, near Coleraine, in County Londonderry.
  • The Neolithic farmers lasted until around 2000BC when the Bronze Age started.
  • The first Celts arrived around 500BC.
  • When the Christians arrived, they were intent to reshape the land of pagans. Every county has monastic ruins, and the golden age of Christianity in Ireland can be seen in the misty St Kevin’s monastery at Glendalough, County Wicklow, the 6th Century monastic settlement of Devenish, County Fermanagh, and Clonmacnoise at the River Shannon.

It’s all well and good knowing your history, but there’s nothing quite like experiencing the real thing.