Aran Islands and Connemara Festivals 2008

Browse this page for details of festivals and events on the Aran Islands, in Galway City and throughout Connemara in 2008.

Trad on the Prom
Salthill, Galway City
Trad on the Prom is an electrifying mix of music, song and dance. It showcases the amazing talents of Máirin Fahy and her world-class band.
From 6th May, 2008

Féile Chomortha Joe Éinniú - (Joe Heaney Commemorative Festival)
Carna, Galway
A weekend of music and dancing celebrating the life and achievements of the renowned sean nós singer, Joe Heaney.
2nd - 4th May, 2008

Celtic Cultural Holidays - Walking the Ancient Celtic Way
Inis Mór, Aran Islands
Celtic heritage: holy places, ancient rituals, old myths and legends, early celtic church, etc with recognised scholars on Celtic heritage. For more details click here.
26th April - 2nd May, 2008

& 14th - 21st July 2008

Connemara Bog Week
Letterfrack, Galway
Ten day multi-layered festival - a celebration of landscape. Connemara walkabout, Fun Run, etc. Lots of traditional music.
23rd May to 2nd June, 2008

Clifden Open Boat Competition
Clifden, Galway
2 day international fishing competition with competitors fishing mixed species. Many prizes with first prize of €5,000.
13th - 14th September, 2008

Clifden Irish Nights
Clifden, Galway
Clifden Irish Nights - Every Tuesday and Thursday night from the 19th of June to the end of August. Performances take place from 9pm to 11pm. For further information, contact Clifden Tourist Office at : +353 (0)95 21163 or +353 (0)95 2262
19th June - 28th August, 2008

Roundstone Arts Week
Roundstone, Galway
2 weekends full of music, art, theatre, children''s events, culture and literature in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. For further information, click here.

Friday 27th June - 30th June 2008

& 4th July - 7th July 2008

Craiceann Inis Oirr International Bodhran Summer School
Inis Oírr, Aran Islands
The world’s leading Bodhrán Summer School. Classes, lectures, workshops and craic For further information, vist the Craiceann website..
23rd - 27th June, 2008

Patrún Inis Mór
Inis Mór, Aran Islands
Celebrate "Lá Peadar agus Pól" (St Peter and Paul Festival) on Inis Mór! A great weekend filled with sports, currach racing, baid seoil, music and great craic, all are welcome for an enjoyable weekend.

Friday 27th - Sunday 29th June, 2008

Celtic Spirit - Irish Cultural Holidays - Aran Islands Á La Carte
Inis Mór, Aran Islands
The Celtic Spirit Culture Weeks offer a fascinating introduction to the rich tradition of Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. For further information visit the Celtic Spirit website.
9th-16th August 2008

Ballyconneely Pony Show
Ballyconneely, Galway
The Ballyconneely Pony Show celebrated 25 years this year, 2006.
20th July, 2008

Galway Arts Festival
Galway City, Galway
Founded in 1978, Galway Arts Festival is Ireland’s leading multi-disciplinary arts festival, incorporating theatre, spectacle, dance, visual arts, music, literature & comedy. For further information, see the Galway Arts Festival website.
14th - 27th July, 2008

Roundstone Regatta
Roundstone, Co. Galway
Roundstone Regatta is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, traditional sea festivals in the West of Ireland, dating back to the 1890s.
19th - 20th July, 2008

Claddaghduff Pony Show
Clifden, Galway
Claddaghduff Pony Show - A great day out with entertainment for all the family.
Sunday 27nd July, 2008

Macnas - Macnas Summer Parade
Galway City, Galway
The Macnas Parade is always one of the highlights of the year in Galway and is held during the Galway Arts Festival in July.
July 2008

Galway Races - Summer Festival Meeting
Ballybrit, Galway City, Galway
Galway Races Summer Festival Meeting is Ireland's premier racing festival, with thousands of visitors and locals joining together for the fantastic racing, betting and socialising over seven days.
28th July - 3rd August, 2008

Féile an Dóilín (Regatta / Maritime Festival)
Carraroe, Co. Galway
Féile an Dóilín is the west of Ireland's premier maritime fesitval, taking place annually on the shores of Galway Bay, in the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) village of An Cheathrú Rua, Connemara. For further information, visit the Féile an Dóilín website.
2nd - 5th August 2008

Tour de Bog Cycle
Connemara, County Galway
Charity cycle from Roundstone to Ballyconneely and back in to Roundstone via the Bog Road.
9th August 2008

Cruinniú na mBád Festival
Kinvara, Galway
Up to 100 unique Irish boats, the Galway Hookers, once the workhorses of the coast of Connemara and North Clare, will gather for a weekend of racing and celebration at Cruinniú na mBád.
15th - 18th August, 2008

Festival of the Connemara Pony - Selection of the Show Queen
Clifden, Galway
The Festival of the Connemara Pony is a celebration of the Connemara Pony breed with week-long activities.
17th August, 2008

Roundstone Summerfest
Roundstone, Galway
A festival of fun and games for the young and the young-at-heart, which also doubles as a four-day charity fundraiser for The Lifeboats Service (RNLI). For further details visit the Roundstone Summerfest website.
14th - 17th August, 2008

Oughterard Show
Oughterard, Galway
Show includes Connemara Pony Performance Championships, competions to include ponies, donkeys, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, as well as domestic arts, flowers and horticulture. Also Irish music and dance.
23rd - 24th August, 2008

Roundstone Community Games
Roundstone, Galway
25th August, 2008

Writing and Walking on the Aran Island of Inis Mor
Inis Mór, Aran Islands
5- Day Writing Adventure, exploring Creative Writing, Walking Inis Mór Island and discovering your own creativity. For further information, visit the The Creative Writer's Workshop website.
8th-12th September, 2008

Clifden Community Arts Week
Clifden, Galway
Clifden Community Arts Week is a celebration of the arts, including poetry reading, lectures, recitals and traditional music.
18th - 28th September, 2008

Ramble Through Scenic Connemara - Croí Connemara Ramble
Connemara, Co. Galway
A 10-mile ramble through the stunning Connemara countryside, including the Maumeen Trail.
September, 2008

Galway International Oyster Festival
Galway City, Galway
The Galway International Oyster Festival is a weekend of non-stop entertainment.
24th - 28th September, 2008

Traditional Basketmaking - A journey to the past
Inis Mór, Aran Islands
Workshop in traditional basketmaking with Vincent MacCearán, combined with archaeological and nature walks and plenty of time to relax. For further information, visit the Celtic Spirit website.
4th - 11th October, 2008

Baboro - International Arts Festival for Children - Baboró - International Arts Festival for Children
Galway City, Galway
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is an Irish Arts Festival devoted exclusively to children. The aim of the festival is to advocate access to high quality arts experience for children in the community and in their schools.
13th - 19th October, 2008

Macnas - Macnas Halloween Fun
Galway City, Galway
Macnas Halloween parade in the streets of Galway City.
October, 2008

Connemara Four Seasons Walking Festival
Clifden, Galway
The Connemara Four Seasons Walking Festival has launched four breathtaking and historic new routes for this October Bank Holiday weekend.
23rd - 25th July , 2008

Rás an Turcaí - Ireland's most popular Mid-Winter Cycling Event
Carraroe, Galway
Now in its 7th year, Rás an Turcaí has been growing from strength to strength since the inaugural race in 2001 when 30 cyclists participated.
December, 2008

Father Ted Festival - Friends of Ted Festival
Inis Mór, Aran Islands
An annual gathering to celebrate the life and times of Father Ted Crilly from the popular "Father Ted" TV comedy series.
February, 2008

Connemara International Marathon Festival
Clifden, Galway
Festival weekend in Clifden to coincide with the Connemara International Marathon.
March, 2008

Connemara International Marathon (Connemarathon)
Connemara, Co. Galway
The Connemara International Marathon is a day of racing around a very scenic part of the West of Ireland. Comprising of a half marathon, a full marathon, and a 39.3 mile ultra marathon.
April, 2008

An Ghaeltacht, Éire ár sinsear!

The Gaeltacht, Ireland at its best!