Clare Festivals 2019
Clare is a great county for festivals and 2019 is no exception. Whether you are interested in music, arts, literature, culture, dancing, horses, matchmaking, food, nature or outdoor activities, you will find festivals in County Clare to suit you.
So start planning, get ready and if you are staying for a few days or a weekend at Clare Festivals 2019 book your accommodation early!
Remember that, during many of these festivals, accommodation in the area is fully booked out.
[otw_shortcode_button href=”http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?region=2316&aid=387180&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA” size=”large” bgcolor=”#019fdc” icon_position=”left” shape=”square” color_class=”otw-blue” target=”_blank”]Check Clare Accommodation[/otw_shortcode_button]
Doolin Writers Weekend 2019
Date: 25th – 27th January
Venue: Hotel Doolin, Co. Clare
The Seventh annual Doolin Writers’ Weekend will include workshops, readings, information on publishing, music sessions and more. The 2019 festival will hear Ann-Marie Ní Chuireann, Sarah Maria Griffin, Anthony Glavin, Anakana Schofield, Joanna Walsh, June Caldwell, Lisa Harding, Nuala O’Connor Danielle McLaughlin, Colm Keegan Abby Olivera, Oisín Fagan, Elaine Cosgrave, Ciara Considine and many more writers and speakers.
For more information visit https://www.doolinfestivals.ie/writers-programme.html
Russell Memorial Weekend 2019
Date: 21st – 24th February
Venue: Doolin, Co. Clare
The Russell Memorial Weekend has been running since 1995 and celebrates the lives of Russell brothers, Micho, Gussie, and Packie and their two sisters, Bridie and Mary Kate who were among the best traditional Clare musicians.
The weekend festival is now one of the big traditional festivals in the country and features many of the best traditional musicians from around the country.
Check here for the full 2019 Programme: http://www.michorussellweekend.ie/
Corofin Trad Fest 2019
Date: 27th February – 3rd March
Venue: Various Venues in Corofin, Co. Clare
Another traditional music festival with céilí bands, groups and many top traditional musicians including Frankie Gavin.
Sessions in all the bars as well as many music workshops.
For programme visit http://www.corofintradfest.com
Ennis Book Club Festival 2019
Date: 1st – 3rd March
Venue: Various Venues in Ennis, Co. Clare
Numerous readings, discussion, comedy and chat with various writers, poets and critics. Lots of events for adults and children.
Elif Shafak, Dave Rudden, Annmarie O’Connor, Conor & Zhanna O’Clery, Paul Lynch, Patricia Forde, Niall Allsop, David Butler and Mary Kenny are just a few of the literati appearing.
Visit http://ennisbookclubfestival.com for full details.
West Clare Drama Festival 2019
Date: 5th – 13th April
Venue: Doonbeg, Co. Clare.
This year West Clare Drama Festival is hosting The All Ireland Confined Finals 2019
https://www.facebook.com/WestClareDramaFestivalDoonbeg/
http://westclaredramafestivaldoonbeg.com
Kilfenora Music Festival 2019
Date: 26th – 29th April
Venue: Kilfenora, Co. Clare.
This is the 11th annual traditional music festival which started as a celebration of 100 years of the Kilfenora Céilí Band. Concerts, céilís, singing, storytelling and pub sessions are the order of the day.
Of course the Kilfenora Céilí Band will perform and another highlight is the appearance of Frankie Gavin, and his celebrated Roaring 20s Irish Orchestra.
See details of what’s on here.
Father Ted Festival 2019
Date: 3rd May – 5th May
Venue: Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare.
The hilarious comedy ‘Father Ted’ is still going strong with constant reruns on TV and it has retained all its old fans while gaining new ones all the time. The festival is based in Lisdoonvarna and involves bus trips to the various locations including the Craggy Island Parochial House, lots of fun and games, matchmaking, competitions and lots more.
More details at http://www.tedtours.com/festival/.
Burren Slow Food Festival 2019
Date: 10th – 12th May
Venue: Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare.
Talks, cookery demos, tastings and other events centered on the production and cooking of delicious foods from the land and sea all around us.
This year’s festival motto is “Taste the Atlantic – a Seafood Journey”
Artisan Food Producers’ and Farmers’ Market, wine tasting, Michelin-star chef Kevin Thornton will give a cookery demonstration.
See more at http://www.slowfoodclare.com
Burren in Bloom Festival 2019
Date: 8th June – 10th June, 2018
Venue: Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare.
Burren in Bloom Festival features illustrated talks and organised walks in association with the Burren College of Art and the Burrenbeo Trust.
The events will give an understanding of the Burren and its formation, its botanical, archaeological, and cultural treasures.
Watch out for upcoming programme at http://www.burreninbloom.com/
Fleadh Nua 2019
Date: 19th – 27th May
Venue: Ennis, Co. Clare.
This festival which started in 1974is Clare’s biggest music festival. There will be more than 120 events over the eight days of the festival including concerts, céilis, recitals, Irish Dance competitions, music, song and dancing workshops, street entertainment, comedy and lots more.
See the programme of events here.
Doonbeg International Jazz Festival
Date: 31st May – 3rd June
Venue: Doonbeg, Co. Clare.
Not all music in Clare is traditional Irish as is proven by the 19 years of the Doonbeg International Jazz Festival.
This year’s programme has not been published at the time of writing.
http://doonbegjazz.com/index.php/festival-programme/
Doolin Folk Festival 2019
Date: 14th – 16th June
Venue: Doolin Hotel Marquee, Co. Clare.
The Doolin Folk Festival stages folk/traditional music in an intimate setting.
The music is more eclectic than the majority of trad music festivals in Clare with a wider range of music genres on show.
This year’s performers include Cúig, Iarla Ó Lionárd & Steve Cooney, Ímar, Jimmy Crowley, Lankum, Lúnasa, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Mary Coughlan, Moxie, Paul Brady, Scullion and many more.
Full programme can be seen at http://www.doolinfestivals.ie/folk-stage-times.html
Féile Brian Ború
Date: TBC
Venue: Killaloe/Ballina, Co. Clare.
Féile Brian Ború commemorates Ireland’s Greatest High King in his place of birth.
The festival is for all ages with numerous events including a Fireworks Display over the River Shannon, Historical Guided Tours, Family Fun with Traditional Carnival Games, Archery, Traditional Craft Workshops, Children’s Fancy Dress Parade, Children’s Art Competition, Art Exhibitions & Displays, Street Theatre, Live Music, Farmers Market, a Craft Fair and lots more.
Keep watch on https://www.facebook.com/feilebrianboru/ for updates on scheduled events.
Willie Clancy Summer School 2019
Date: 6th – 14th July
Venue: Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare.
This is, perhaps, the best known traditional music festival in Clare. It has commemorated piper Willie Clancy since 1973 and although it is essentially a summer school for teaching traditional music and dance, there is also a programme of events including concerts, recitals, dancing, lectures, workshops and lots more.
For the 2019 programme of events visit http://www.scoilsamhraidhwillieclancy.com/programme.html
Kilrush Traditional Music & Set Dancing Festival 2019
Date: 31st July – 5th August
Venue: Kilrush, Co. Clare.
Open Air Céilís, Set and Sean Nós Dancing workshops, All star Concert, Open Air International dance displays , street musicand pub sessions.
See more at http://www.kilrushcce.com/
The Rose of Clare Festival
Date: 3rd – 9th August
Venue: Cooraclare, Co. Clare.
A family festival where roses represent different parishes from around the county with roses being interviewed on stage before a winner is chosen. Lots of fun events for adults and children
Feakle International Traditional Music Festival 2019
Date: 7th – 12th August
Venue: Feakle, Co. Clare.
Another traditional music festival with emphasis on the distinctive style of east Clare with traditional music, song, dance, theatre, workshops, lectures, concerts, céilí, set dancing and more.
Look out for the 2019 programme at http://www.feaklefestival.ie/
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival 2019
Date: 30th August – 29th September
Venue: Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare.
The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is over 150 years old, goes on for a whole month an attracts up to 60,000 people from all around the world. It continues to be one of the most popular of Clare Festivals.
Although it was originally a venue for single people trying to find a spouse it has expanded into a festival of fun and celebration for couples and singles alike.
Matchmaker Willie Daly is on hand to bring single people together with a view to marriage.
http://www.matchmakerireland.com/
Mountshannon Trad Festival 2019
Date: 27th – 29th September
Venue: Mountshannon, Co. Clare.
Traditional Music Sessions and workshops
http://www.mountshannontradfestival.ie
Burren Food Fayre 2019
Date: 25 October – 28 October 2019
Venue: Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare.
The Fayre is organised by the Conservation and Advocacy group of the Burren Ecotourism Network, and they are striving this year to not only minimise the waste produced by this event but also to increase awareness on waste reduction. “This year food demonstrations will focus on preparing fantastic dishes with little or no food waste, we will have a number of upcycling and reuse workshops for adults and children and the Fayre will aim to operate without generating any single use plastic waste.
Read more here.
Willie Keane Memorial Weekend
Date: 26 October – 27 October 2019
Venue: Doonbeg, Co. Clare.
Willie Keane from Doonbeg was one of Clare’s best-known traditional dancers.
He came to prominence with the Mullagh Set, which won many competitions throughout Ireland.
This festival celebrates his life with traditional music, song and dance throughout the weekend.
Updated on 8th February 2019. Please check later for updates and additions to Festivals in Clare in 2019.
We will be pleased to include other Clare festivals. Please send details to info@stayinclare.com.
