Dinosaur petting in Galway
Ireland just became even more fun to visit in 2013 as they have initiated The Gathering, a series of great events and festivals all over the island. Naturally, when you think of Ireland, you think of the rocky coast lines, the beautiful green hillsides and the general mystery of the landscape.
However in 2013 you should come to Ireland for the buzzing cultural life, the thousands of events all over the Emerald Island. Let’s see what are the top 5 cities to visit in Ireland in 2013, where can you soak up the most culture this year. But before that watch the video and let the famous comedian, Andrew Maxwell, show you what to expect from The gathering.
Galway – a city of arts and culture
The city has always been a center of cultural events, in 2013 this will be magnified! The yearly Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on March 17 and it is going to be spectacular. If you plan to come in July, you can catch the two week long Galway Arts Festival with hundreds of artists and lots of exhibitions and other gatherings. Can you imagine that county Galway is giving home to 205 events this year…
Dinosaur petting at the Arts Festival
Kilkenny – the medieval city
Early in the summer, the medieval city of Kilkenny will host the Cat Laughs, a 5 day long comedy festival where even the cats will ROFL. But if you want to see some really Irish stuff, visit Kilkenny in September, during the Celtic Festival, with dance, music, storytelling and everything you love about Ireland. Don’t forget to pay a visit to Kilkenny Castle!
The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival
Cork – a cosmopolitan place
Co. Cork will be home to 301 gatherings in 2013 – and it’s still counting. A big part of these events will take place in the cosmopolitan city of Cork with great happenings such as the Swansea Gathering or the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. The city will be buzzing all year!
Performers at the Jazz Festival
Sligo – city at the atlantic coast
The city of Sligo will become the busiest in fall when more that 100 musical performances will await visitors from near and far, all within 1 week in October! For an earlier gathering, the Rise and Fall of Sligo Families in May will provide an insight into the history of the area and help for those researching their ancestry.
Concert in a Sligo Pub
Derry – the UK’s city of culture
The Northern Ireland city of Derry has been named the UK’s City of Culture in 2013, so with The Gathering on the Irish side Derry will burst with festivals and events. The famous festival of Irish culture, the Fleadh Ceoil na h-Eireann, will be held in the city, plus about 40 international sports and artistic events and much more! No visitor will be bored in Derry this year.
Concert at Fleadh Ceoil na h-Eireann ©fleadhcheoil.ie
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Tags: festivals, Ireland, Northern Ireland
Great stuff very informative article. Another festival that happens in Kilkenny is the Rhythm & Roots music festival. It will take place from 3rd – 6th May 2013.