Festivals in Clare in 2020
Update 13th March 2020: Because of the outbreak of the Coronavirus and and the measures taken to contain it many of the events listed here have been cancelled or postponed. As of now all GAA games and other sporting fixtures are cancelled until the end of March 2020 at least.
All St. Patrick’s Day Parades are cancelled.
Anyone thinking of visiting County Clare for an event would be advised to check first whether it is going ahead.
Nobody knows at this stage how long restrictions will be in place or whether they will have to be extended.
As this is an evolving situation intending visitors should keep up to date with the very latest information.
Stay Safe: Travel plans should only be a secondary consideration. Your own safety and that of others should be the most important consideration. Our only advice in these matters is:
1. Get your information on how to protect yourself from authoritative sources, for example The HSE Website.
2. Do not rely on Social Media posts. Many of the posts doing the rounds on Facebook, Whatsapp etc. are spreading dangerous misinformation or rumours which have no basis in fact.
3. For best advice on travelling abroad the most up to date advice is to be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs Website.
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Festivals! Festivals! Festivals! All year round there are festivals in some part of County Clare.
Many, but not all, are centred around traditional music and culture but if you are interested in food, drama, history or gardening you will find festivals in Clare in 2020 to suit you.
Here is our selection of the best of festivals in Clare in 2020.
February
Russell Festival Weekend
Date: 27th February – 1st March
Venue: Doolin Village
A weekend of music, song and dance celebrating the life and music of Micho Russell
Web: www.michorussellweekend.ie
March
Corofin Trad Festival
Date: 4th – 8th March
Venue: Corofin
Traditional music, workshops, sessions and concerts with many of Clare’s best traditional musicians.
West Clare Drama Festival
Date: 7th – 16th March
Venue: Doonbeg
Ten nights of plays from different drama groups from around the country as part of the qualifying rounds for the Amateur Drama Ireland finals.
Web: https://westclaredramafestivaldoonbeg.com/
St. Patricks Day Festival
Date: 17th March
Venue: Various
St. Patricks Day family festival in Ennis and other towns throughout the County with many free events, parades, music, fun and entertainment for all the family.
Doolin Surfest
Date: 20th – 22nd March
Venue: Doolin
West Clare has some of the best waves and breakers for surfers and this festival is run by surfers for surfers.
April
Consairtn, The National Concertina Convention
Date: 16th – 19th April
Venue: Various venues in Ennis
Concerts, classes, workshops, recitals and sessions all celebrating the concertina in Irish Traditional Music.
Web: www.consairtin.ie
Tulla 1400 – Learn Together Hedge School
Date: 24th – 26th April
Venue: Tulla
This is the 1400th anniversary of the building a monastery on the hill nearby by St. Mochulla. This is a celebration of that
Kilfenora Traditional Music Festival
Date: 24th – 27th April
Venue: Kilfenora
Concerts, céilís, workshops, sessions, a food fair with some leading musicians and open air appearance by the legendary Kilfenora Céilí Band. .
Web: www.kilfernoraclare.com
Clare Garden Festival
Date: 26th April
Venue: Ennis Showgrounds
Clare Garden Festival is a for vegetable and flower gardeners with over 70 stalls with plants and food of all sorts.
Web: www.claregardenfestival.com
May
Father Ted Festival
Date: 1st – 3rd May
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
Crazy fun and comedy in the style of Father Ted in actual locations where the series was filmed.
Carrigaholt Oyster and Traditional Music Festival
Date: 1st – 3rd May
Venue: Carrigaholt
More traditional Irish music, this time with oysters and Guinness. Sample lots of different oyster recipes and enter the Oyster eating competition.
Bodyke Annual Festival
Date: 1st – 4th May
Venue: Bodyke
Annual May Bank Holiday Weekend Festival of music and entertainment in the village of Bodyke
Corofin Festival of Finn
Date: 1st – 4th May
Venue: Corofin
The Festival of Finn is a festival of fun for all the family. Markets, fancy dress parade, treasure hunt, heritage trail music and lots more.
Burren Slow Food Festival
Date: 15th – 17th May
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
Celebrating Irish Food from the Burren Food Trail with food producers and chefs restaurants from around the Burren area in County Clare.
Stalls, cooking demonstrations, talks, walks and lots of the best of local food.
Web: www.slowfoodclare.com
Tulla Traditional Music Festival
Date: 22nd – 24th May
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
Féile Chnoc na Gaoithe is a festival organised by Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre to promote Irish traditional music, song and dance with céilís, workshops, singing and music sessions. The Tulla Céilí Band and Cnoc na Gaoithe Céilí Band will perform.
Web: www.cnocnagaoithe.com
Mountshannon Arts Festival
Date: 23rd May – 1st June
Venue: Mountshannon
Visit various art galleries, poetry readings, and enjoy theatre, puppetry, music and workshops.
Web: www.mountshannonarts.net
Fleadh Nua
Date: 24th May – 1st June
Venue: Various venues in Ennis
Numerous events throughout the 8 days including céilís, music, singing, workshops and lectures. This popular festival has been running annually in Ennis since 1974.
Web: www.fleadhnua.com
Doonbeg International Jazz Festival
Date: 29th May – 1st June
Venue: Doonbeg
Moving away from traditional Irish music Doonbeg has been showcasing the best of Irish and international Jazz musicians at this festival. All performances are free! Watch out for this year’s line up later.
Web: www.doonbegjazz.com
June
Killaloe Chamber Music Festival
Date: 4th – 7th June
Venue: Killaloe
Four days of brilliant chamber music from some of the best of Irish and International musicians.
W: www.killaloemusicfestival.com
Burren in Bloom
Date: 5th – 7th June
Venue: Burren Area
Guided walks, talks, workshops, demos and other events in and around The Burren organised by Burrenbeo Trust.
Watch out for 2020 programme to come later.
W: www.burreninbloom.com
Fleadh Cheoil an Chláir
Date: 12th – 13th June
Venue: Ennis/Lisdoonvarna
Dancing competitions will be held in Ennis on 12th-13th June. Music, singing and competitions will be held from 19th-21st June in Lisdoonvarna.
Doolin Folk Festival
Date: 12th – 14th June
Venue: Doolin
Going for eight years now, this has become a favourite on the summer festival calendar. It usually features some big names on the folk/trad scene. Sharon Shannon, Finbarr Furey, Luka Bloom, De Danann and others have appeared in the past.
Web: doolinfestivals.ie
Midsummer Festival Loop Head
Date: 19th – 23rd June
Venue: Doolin
Walks, talks, cycling, horse riding, boat trips, coastal hikes, art and film. Explore nature and heritage on The Loop Head Peninsula. Explore the richness of this area of conservation.
Web: www.loophead.ie
Ankara Festival
Date: 27th June
Venue: Ennis
This festival is a celebration of Nigerian culture and heritage with other ethnic groups in the community.
Web: www.ancc.ie
July
Cross Traditional Music Weekend
Date: 3rd – 5th July
Venue: Cross Village
A weekend of traditional music and dance in the village of Cross in The Loop Head Peninsula. Lots of local musicians, lots of session.You can sbring your own instrument and join in or start your own session
Web: www.loophead.ie
The Arnold Palmer Cup
Date: 3rd – 5th July
Venue: Lahinch Golf Club
The Arnold Palmer Cup has been run since 1997 in various top courses in Ireland, the UK, USA and Europe. It is a Ryder Cup-Style competition for the world’s top amateur male & women college golfers. THis is its first time in Lahinch but not a first for County Clare as it was previously held in Doonbeg
Web: https://www.arnoldpalmercup.com
Armada Festival of Music
Date: 4th – 12th July
Venue: Spanish Point
Nine days of nonstop dancing and music during Willie Clancy Week in nearby Milltown Malbay with céilís, dancing, sessions, festival club, dance classes, traditional music and song.
Based at The Armada Hotel.
Scoil Samheaidh Willie Clancy
Date: 4th – 12th July
Venue: Milltown Malbay
The Willie Clancy Summer School is probably yhe best known traditional music festival in the country. As well as being a school providing tuition on Irish traditional music, song and dance, it is a week of concerts, céilís and numerous music sessions on the streets, in the pubs and any spot where a group of muicians can get together.
Web: www.scoilsamraidhwillieclancy.com
Carrigaholt Bluegrass Festival
Date: 10th – 12th July
Venue: Carrigaholt
Fiddles, banjos, mandolins, guitars and other instruments will converge on Carrigaholt for a weekent of great bluegrass music from Irish and international musicians.
Web: www.loophead.ie
Céilí at The Crossroads
Date: 12th – 19th July
Venue: Clarecastle
Lots of music, song and mainly set dancing and set dance throughout the week ending with an outdoor céilí at Kerins’ Cross.
Feakle International Traditional Music Festival
Date: 22nd – 27th July
Venue: Feakle
Traditional music moves to East Clare as the village of Feakle is abuzz with the sound of the music of the local area. ‘The very best of traditional music in a very traditional Irish village’.
W: www.feaklefestival.ie
Kilrush Traditional Music & Set Dancing Festival
Date: 29th July – 3rd August
Venue: Kilrush
Kilrush Traditional Music & Set Dancing Festival will feature four open air ceilís, set dancing and sean nós dancing workshops, open air dance displays, street music and sessions in the pubs.
European Culture Week
Date: 27th July – 1st August
Venue: Ennis
Ireland, France, Spain, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, Sardinia, and Italy and will have groups promoting their cultures in costume, language, music, dance and song .
The programme will also include various cultural events to showcase Co. Clare to the other countries’ representatives.
Web: www.enniseuropeancultureweek.com
Scariff Harbour Festival
Date: 30th July – 2nd August
Venue: Scariff
The Scariff Harbour Festival is inspired by Lough Derg and Irish Waterways and has a very diverse programme of arts, music and entertainment with lots of walks, talks, kids entertainment, fishing, food and lots more.
Web: www.scariffharbourfestival.ie
Kilmihil Festival of Fun
Date: 31st July – 3rd August
Venue: Kilmihil Village
A very varied programme of fun events including pig racing, fun at the lake, a vintage rally as well as fitness activities including 5km runs, walks, soccer and football matches.
August
A Weekend of Taditional Songs & Dance
Date: 1st – 2nd August
Venue: Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
1st – 2nd AugustEnjoy the bank holiday weekend with a celebration of Irish dance, music and song at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
Web: www.bunrattycastle.ie
Rose of Clare Festival
Date: 1st – 7th August
Venue: Cooraclare
Not as well known as The Rose of Tralee Festival but similar. This is the 41st year of this festival which picks a Rose of Clare from all the contestants representing different parishes in County Clare. Lots of other fun events throughout the week with music song and dance.
Carrigaholt Family Festival
Date: 7th – 9th August
Venue: Carrigaholt
A real family holiday festival with fun and entertainment for all ages. Indoor and outdoor events and music every night..
W: www.loophead.ie
Tulla Weekend of the Welcomes
Date:18th – 23rd August
Venue: Tulla
A gathering of locals and returning emigrants to enjoy fun events and reminisce about the past, renew acquaintances.
History, heritage, talks, guided walks etc.
Dan Furey Weekend of Set Dancing
Date: 20th – 23rd August
Venue: Labasheeda
There is a large number of set dancing enthusiasts in the country. Many of them try to attend as many set dancing get togethers as possible and quite a few will descend on Labasheeda for the Dan Furey Weekend. Dan Furey was a famous Irish dance teacher and fiddle player from Labasheeda.
Kilmurry Harvest Festival
Date: 20th – 23rd August
Venue: Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge
The Kilmurry Harvest Festival is in its 20th year. A festival of fun events including a vintage show, quiz night, live music, bingo, hurling, football soccer and lots more.
W: www.kilmurry.com
Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Weekend
Date: 28th – 30th August
Venue: Moyasta Village
The festival takes place over three days each year, to promote and nurture local traditional music, song and dance, while bringing generations together.
It isnamed in honour of Ellen (Nell) Galvin who was a famous local fiddler and concertina player and PJ Crotty and his brother Peadar who were flute players from Moyasta.
Web: www.nellgalvin.ie
September
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
Date: 4th – 30th September
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
This 160 years old festival attracts up to 60,000 people from all over Ireland and abroad who come for the music, dancing and to find love.
Dancing ‘ballroom of romance style’ is the big thing here.
This year populsr country music stars Mike Denver, Derek Ryan, Nathan Carter, Michael English, Johnny Brady and Barry Kirwan are sceduled to appear.
Famous matchmaker Willie Daly will be on hand to help aspiring couples get together.
Web: www.matchmakerireland.com
Che Do Bheatha Festival
Date: 18th – 20th September
Venue: Kilkee
The festival runs every September and will be a celebration of all things Latin American.
The festival started in Kilkee in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the visit of famous revolutionary Che Guevara to Kilkee. Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick, painter of the famous image of Che happened to be working in the Marine Hotel in Kilkee where he met Che.
Latin American musicians, dancers, singers and academics come to the town for a celebration of all things Latin American.
Seafood in September at The Long Dock
Date: 18th – 20th September
Venue: Carrigaholt
An annual festival to celebrating seafood caught in waters aroundLoop Head and cooked in imaginative and tasty dishes.
The gala seafood buffet on the Saturday night is is worth waiting for. Lots of drink, seafood, music and great entertainment.
Web: www.thelongdock.com
The Outing: LGTB Music & Matchmaking Festival
Date: 25th – 26th September
Venue: Newmarket on Fergus
A weekend of Irish and International music, céilís, dancing, blind dates, guest artists and DJs takes place at the Inn at Dromoland.
Web: www.theouting.ie
October
Clare Food & Drink Fleadh
Date: 8th – 11th October
Venue: Ennis
This is Clare’s Food Festival. Clare Food & Drink Fleadh showcases the best of County Clare’s food products and cooking.
Also craft beers, gins and other spirits.
Web: https://clarefooddrinkfleadh.ie/
Traditional Music Festival
Date: 23rd – 25th October
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
A celebration in memory of the music and life of Micilín Conlon, a local concertina and accordion player.
Web: www.roadsidetavern.ie
Doonbeg Doonbeg Weekend
Date: 23rd – 26th October
Venue: Doonbeg
To keep the feet tapping into the Winter Doonbeg is staging a weekend of traditional music, song and dance.
Web: www.doonbeg.info
November
Ennis Trad Fest
Date: 12th – 16th November
Venue: Ennis
Ennis hosts one of the last traditional music festivals of the year. But don’t worry! Sessions will continue in pubs all around the county until the end of the year.
Web: www.ennistradfest.com
Doonbeg One Act Drama Festival
Date: 14th – 16th November
Venue: Doonbeg
Doonbeg has a great drama tradition and this festival is part of the qualifying rounds for the One Act all Ireland finals. Nine plays will be staged over three nights in both open and confined sections.
Web: www.westclaredramafestivaldoonbeg.com
What a list of festivals in Clare in 2020! Has any other county as many?
