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Clarenbridge Oyster Festival
Marking the beginning of the new oyster season, the 60th oyster festival is on in Clarenbridge, Co Galway until Sunday. The oysters are harvested from surrounding shallow waters by oystermen with generations of experience. The festival will feature gourmet food and entertainment.
[ clarenbridge.com ]
Rathmines Tradfest
Over a dozen live traditional bands will play in Rathmines Village in Dublin this weekend at various venues including Rody Bolands and Martin B Slatterys. Amateur musicians are welcome. There will be plenty of informal open mike sessions. Admission is free.
A Taste of West Cork Food Festival
A festival for foodies is on in Skibbereen, West Cork this weekend. Tours of organic farms, open air markets, sea shore foraging and plenty of food tasting will be on in an area known for producing some of the best artisan food in Ireland.
Irish Bog Snorkelling Championships
Travel to Castleblayney, Co Monaghan if you are interested in being crowned bog snorkelling champion 2014. Competitors will swim a 120m strip of bog using flipper power only-no conventional swimming techniques are allowed. There is a 60m junior race as well. Relax in the bog Jacuzzi or try out the 40-foot mud slide while you wait. The event is on until Sunday.
Blacksod Point Challenge National Series Triathlon
For the energetic this weekend, the Blacksod triathlon in Belmullet, Co Mayo on Saturday will begin with a 1,500m swim in the Atlantic Ocean, followed by a 41.1km bike ride and ending with a 10km all-terrain run across the sand dunes of Fál Mór. The entry fee is €52.50 for an individual or €75 for a relay team.
Music in Monkstown
This three day classical music festival includes a line up of some of Ireland’s top musicians (like Claudia Boyle) and a number of visiting international performers including the London based Navarra String Quartet. The festival will take place in the village of Monkstown, Co Dublin until Sunday. There will be four concerts over three days, ranging from solo piano to chamber music.
[ paviliontheatre.ie/events/view/music-in-monkstown-navarra-string-quartet ]
Dingle Tradfest
All forms of Irish and folk music will be featured at this Dingle, Co Kerry music festival, which will promote young traditional musicians. There will be a series of concerts, a themed session trail and a variety of outdoor events.
Dublin Coffee and Tea Festival
This festival on until Sunday at the RDS boasts the widest variety of coffee and tea blends the country has ever seen under one roof. The festival will feature the national barista semi-finals and the new home barista championships.
Flavour of Killorglin
Celebrate the culinary delights of Killorglin, Co Kerry at this festival of food and entertainment that goes on until Sunday. There will be a taste trail in over 20 venues across town on Saturday. If you feel compelled to walk off the calories, the Laune Mountaineering Club Walking Festival is on at the same time, same place. Walks vary in difficulty. For the brave, there is a climb of Carrauntoohil.
[ flavourofkillorglin.com; launemountaineeringclub.com ]
Enniskerry Victorian Field Day
See Victorian farm equipment at work at this festival in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow on Saturday. Other highlights include archery, falconry, horseshoe throwing, arm wrestling and more. Wear your best Victorian outfit for a chance of winning the best dressed competition. Admission is €10, €5 for concessions and kids go free.
Knights of Westfest
This festival at Desmond Castle in Co Limerick will feature a music line-up headlined by The Coronas, Mary Black, Gavin James and the High Kings. There will be a family fun day, the all Ireland soapbox derby, a 300 foot bungee jump and more. The festival is on until Sunday. Admission is €15 for adults and €3 for kids.