Things To Do Over The August Bank Holiday Weekend
Everyone loves a long weekend, so here's a list of some of the great things going on around the country to make it a bank holiday to remember.
Indiependance- Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
Probably the best value-for-money festival on in Ireland this summer, weekend camping tickets are only €110, and with a line-up like the one shown below, it really is an excellent price. You can purchase tickets here.
Galway Races
Although they started yesterday, the festival goes on all week, right up until Sunday. So even if you only go up for one day, you won't regret it. Tickets can be bought here, and there's plenty of info on the website about where to stay and everything else you need to know.
All Ireland Senior Football Qualifiers & Quarter Finals
This weekend sees loads of gaelic football action in Croke Park, with the last of the football qualifiers and the first two quarter finals all to be decided. Fixtures can be seen below, with tickets available on tickets.ie here.
Saturday, 2nd August- All Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifiers Round 4B:
Meath vs. Armagh 5pm
Monaghan vs. Kildare 7pm
Sunday, 3rd August- All Ireland Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals:
Kerry vs. Galway 2pm
Mayo vs. Cork 4pm
Castlepalooza- Tullamore, Co. Offaly
With only the most expensive set of tickets left, this is quite clearly shaping up to be a great weekend. And although the acts are somewhat lesser known acts than Indiependence the head-liners in particular, this certainly shouldn't stop you taking this festival seriously. Tickets are available on the website.
Le Chéile Arts & Music Festival- Oldcastle, Co. Meath
While there isn't any camping at this festival, the quality of the performers makes up for it. You can buy a full VIP ticket for the whole weekend, or you can just get tickets for certain performers; Gavin James, The Riptide Movement, and Ryan Sheridan to name a few.
Terracotta Warriors- Ambassador Theatre, Dublin
Having been on display for the month of July, the replicas of China's famous Terracotta Army will be on display in Dublin over the Bank Holiday. It might be slightly less exciting than some of the other choices for activities, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of culture now and again. Tickets can be bought on Ticketmaster.
Spraoi International Street Arts Festival- Waterford City
With too many different events to mention, you're much better off going on to the website than have me try and describe everything that's happening. What I will say is that there is definitely something for everyone, and that a trip to Waterford City is well worth it this weekend.
Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon- Dublin City
The idea behind the Rock 'N' Roll Marathon Series is to make running fun, with live bands playing at different points along the route. And for those of us for whom it is far too late to start training for a half-marathon, there is also a Fun Run on in the Phoenix Park on the same day. Registration info is available here, as well as all you need to know about the event, and the route that the race will take can be seen in the video below.
Bray Summerfest
Having been on since the 5th July, this excellent gathering of music, arts, food and drink all comes to an end this weekend. Full details as always are on their website, with it almost guaranteed to be a great couple of days out, no matter what you're into.
Other Activities
There's also plenty of things you can get up to with your friends that you mightn't get a chance to do on another weekend. There are loads of campsites, adventure centres and other tourist attractions that all Irish people should see. The Official Summer To-Do List we did a while ago is probably a good place to start if you're stuck for some ideas.
And saving the best for last...
Muff Festival- Muff, Co. Donegal
There is so much fun to be had in Muff, I can't even put it into words. The website has full details of the events going on over the weekend, including the Soap Box Derby, the Bar Olympics and the Pet Show. It's certainly not to be missed!