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 this month
Arklow RNLI Maritime Festival | 2nd – 4th August
Arklow has a rich Maritime tradition and along with having an excellent Maritime Museum at the Bridgewater centre it also has a great Maritime festival. The Arklow maritime festival presents a great range of events for the whole family down by the Quay; from Viking boat races and amusements to BBQ’s and live music.
This is a great event brings out the best of a place with such a deep maritime tradition
More info: Arklow Maritime Festival
Grattan Beach Safari, Salthill Galway | 3rd August
Join Galway Atlantaquaria and Clean Coasts for a fun afternoon on Grattan beach. There will be a load of fun activities including rock pool safari, stone art, stone drumming circle and a Clean Coasts beach clean.
Carlingford Oyster Festival, Louth | 8th – 12th August 2019
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 is packed with traditional children’s activities including Magic Show, Face Painting, the ever popular Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Free Kayaking in the Harbour, Children’s Funfair & Bouncing Castles. If you like watersports, there is so much for you in Carlingford.
For more info: Carlingford Oyster Festival
Cruinniú na mBád / Galway Hooker Festival | 9th – 11th August 2019
This one’s a bit special! Before gas and electricity came to Kinvara turf was the main fuel used for cooking and heating. The majestic Galway Hookers sailed between Connemara and Kinvara laden with this fuel as the Kinvara area has no bogs. Kinvara, in turn, filled the hookers with grain and produce for their return journey. A strong trade developed between the two regions using these great old cargo boats. Founded by Tony Moylan in 1979 as a celebration of the traditional commerce that existed between the coasts.
In August at Kinvara, you can see the mighty Hookers in action once again. There are lots of other types of craft sailing and competing with each other and another highlight of Cruinniú na mBád, Kinvara is the Climin. A Climín is a ‘raft’ made from seaweed blocked and tied for transportation to a collection point on the shore. Seaweed harvesting was once a thriving industry along the west coast of Ireland, including Kinvara.
More info: Cruinniú na mBád
Sustainable Summer Fest | Courtown Beach, Co Wexford 10th August
Join Seal Rescue Ireland for their first ever Sustainable festival. The festival take place on Courtowns main beach and will have eco friendly vendors, workshops on living sustainably, play area for the kids and a beach clean.
National Heritage Week | Locations around the country 17th – 25th 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 | 22nd – 25th August
The Dalkey Lobster Fest 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 come along and enjoy some crab, lobster and all that jazz.
For more info: Dalkey Lobster Fest
Clean Coasts Love your Coast photography competition | Closes 31st August
Clean Coasts 10th annual Love your Coast photography competition is now open for entries, so if you’re out and about enjoying the coast this month get snapping and enter your best shots before 31st August!
Visit Clean Coasts to find out more
Do you know of a great coastal event coming up that you’d like featured? Send us a message at Info@coastmonkey.ie
