Staying in one of our Holiday Homes?
Check out our events guide
West Coast Holidays prides itself on the quality of our self catering holiday homes in Ireland. Whereever you decide to rent a propery, we want you to enjoy your holiday. Here are some suggested events that you might like to take in while you are on vacation.
March 2012
One of the best times to travel in Ireland in March is around Saint Patrick’s Day, 17 March. There are parades and festivals throughout the country and it is always a great time for kids and adults alike. There is an international band parade and competition in Limerick on 18 March. The Cork Saint Patrick’s festival is on from 16 to 18 March and there is a pipe band parade on Achill Island on 18 March.
The Dingle International Film Festival takes place in County Kerry from 15 - 18 March. If you fancy dusting off the cobwebs and getting plenty of fresh air, the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking festival takes place in Westport, Mayo from 23 – 25 March, and the Connemara Four Seasons Walking Festival takes place from 16 – 18 March.
April 2012
2012 is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and there is a festival in Cobh, County Cork from 9 – 15 April commemorating the event and the passengers that boarded in Cobh.
The Waterford Festival of Food takes place in Dungarvan from 12 – 15 April which will attract Michelin Chefs, demonstrations, farmers markets, food tours, baking courses and much more for food lovers.
Don’t forget that Easter Weekend is from 6 – 9 April this year, so you can break out the chocolate and enjoy some well earned calories. Check out our great rates for holiday homes over the Easter period.
May 2012
Staying with the food theme why not rent a self catering holiday home in Sligo and enjoy the So Sligo Food Festival which takes place from 18 – 20 May. It is full of food demonstrations, wine and cheese tasting, beer samplng and of course the World Irish Stew Championship, Yum!
Enjoy the fun along the River Shannon in Limerick from 4 – 7 May when the Limerick Riverfest brings you street entertainment with live music, fashion, markets and barbecues. Great fun for all the family.
Head for Kerry towards the end of the month and enjoy Listowel Writer’s Week from 30 May – 3 June.
June 2012
Summertime in Ireland with the shortest nights of the year and the longest days. Celebrate the summer solstice at the Cork Midsummer Festival from 21 June – 1 July. There will be plenty of music and street performances to keep you entertained.
If you rent one of our wonderful holiday homes in Donegal towards the end of the month, you might like to drive across the border to experience one of Ireland’s greatest sporting events – the Irish Open Golf Championship which takes place in Royal Portrush from 28 June – 1 July. This is a magnificent links golf course with some spectacular scenery along the Atlantic Coast.
July 2012
Galway is the place to be in July with some great festivals and events taking place. The Galway Film Fleadh is always great fun and takes place from 10 – 15 July. The Volvo Ocean Race returns to Galway from 6 – 8 July and promises to be as exciting and entertaining as ever.
One of the best festivals of the year takes place from 16 – 29 July, the Galway Arts Festival of course you won’t want to miss the Galway Races from 30 July – 5 August.
Elsewhere you can enjoy Kinsale Arts week in County Cork from 7 – 15 July. There will be plenty of art and drama ans lots of fun with free events and crack for the kids.
August 2012
If you haven’t been to the Puck Fair yet then head on down to Killorglin in County Kerry from 10 – 12 August and enjoy one of Ireland’s most popular festivals. There will be plenty of free entertainment for the family as well as a fireworks display and the crowning of a goat. Only in the Kingdom!
And if you are till in the region the following week, visit the Rose of Tralee International Festiva and discover for yourself why it has become one of the most famous and enduring festivals in the world. This year it takes place from 17 – 21 August.
September 2012
If you hail from the city and have no idea of what country life is like, then head for Wexford in September for the National Ploughing championships. This is where you will discover almost every aspect of country life in Ireland and you don’t have to buy a tractor or a heifer while you are there. The kids will love it and you will be surprised at what you will see from the 900 enhibitors at the show. It takes place in Heathpark, New Ross, County wexford from 25 – 27 September.
October
Opera lovers from all over the world will head to Wexford yet again in October as the Wexford Opera Festival gets underway from 24 October – 4 November. This has become one of the most popular opera festivals in the world and the performances are enhanced by amazing Wexford Opera House.
If you want some fun and excitement over the bank holiday weekend then dust off the old trombone and head for Cork for the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival which takes place from 26 – 29 October.