This August you’ll be spoiled for choice with some of the best seafood and maritime festivals taking place around the coast as well as other activities and events.
Here’s our top picks for August
Cleggan | Claddaghduff Festival of the Sea 3rd- 12th August
A wonderful festival set in the seaside villages of Clegan and Claddaghduff located in beautiful Connemara. The week long festival is a celebration of the sea with lots of family fun and events including treasure hunts, traditional music, workshops, sea shanties, nature walks, island trips seafood buffets and so much more.
More information: cleggancladdaghduff.com
Arklow Maritime Festival | Arklow, Wicklow 3rd – 5th August
Maritime heritage is at the heart of Arklow and the unique history of the town and spirit of maritime culture is brought to life in this wonderful weekend of fun and events. There will be plenty of visiting ships, Viking village, family fun and lots more.
For more information: Arklow Maritime Festival
Carlingford Oyster Festival | Carlingford, Co. Louth 9th – 13th August
The beautiful and historic town of Carlingford has a really great festival. The Carlingford Oyster Festival offers a four-day fun-filled festival for the whole family and is packed with traditional children’s activities including a magic show, face painting, the ever popular Teddy Bear’s Picnic, free kayaking in the harbour, children’s funfair & bouncing castles
For more info: Carlingford Oyster Festival
Cruinniú na mBád | Kinvara, Galway 10th – 12th August
Cruinniú na mBád is a wonderful festival to celebrate the iconic Irish boat that is the Galway Hooker. See the mighty Hookers in action once again in the waters surrounding Kinvara. There’s lots of other types of craft sailing and competing with each other and another highlight of Cruinniú na mBád, Kinvara is the Climin. A great festival and well worth visiting!
For more info: Cruinniunambad.com
Stargazing Evening for the Perseids Meteor Shower | 11th August Hook Lighthouse
Experience the wonder of the Perseids Meteor Shower at the World’s Oldest working lighthouse.Join astronomer Carl O’Beirnes from Big Bear Planetariums and enjoy this dazzling evening under the stars at Hook Lighthouse. Bring along you telescope or lie back and enjoy the annual stellar show.
For more info: Hook Lighthouse
Greencastle Regatta | Greencastle, Donegal 16th – 19th August
Greencastle Regatta is one of the longest running Maritime Festivals in Ireland and its four days of fun-packed festivities celebrating maritime heritage along the Foyle. There will be activities for all ages on the shore and on the water plus live music each evening on the main stage with some of Ireland’s biggest headliners. If it’s anything like last year expect the full itinerary to include kayak lessons, kids treasure hunt, fun fair, fisherman’s games, local artists, pet show, a darts competition, annual blessing of the fleet, dance sessions and much more. Come along and enjoy the Ceol agus Craic!
For more info: Greencastle Regatta
National Heritage Week | Locations around the country 18th – 26th August
Heritage Week returns with events across the country to celebrate and promote our natural, built and cultural heritage. With many of the events being free it’s a great chance to get involved and learn more about the unique heritage of our island.
For more info: National Heritage Week
Dalkey Lobster Festival | Dalkey, Dublin 24th – 26th August
The Dalkey Lobster Festival takes place in the chilled out village of Dalkey and the festival see’s a fusion of local seafood with the best of current global jazz musicians and lots of fun events for all the family to enjoy. There are lots of free events on throughout the day. It’s a fantastic weekend for all the family. So head along and enjoy some crab, lobster and all that jazz!
For more info: Dalkey Lobster Festival
*Cover image Dooey Beach, Co Donegal photo credit Martin Fleming
