Don’t mind the weather – get out and experience one of the top festivals and events in August

Let’s be honest the weather this summer hasn’t been particularly kind but this doesn’t mean we can’t still get out and enjoy our holidays.  There is so much to see, do and experience in Ireland and a small bit of rain shouldn’t spoil your long awaited holiday.  The beauty of a caravan & camping holiday is that you can pack everything (including the kitchen sink) and be suited and booted for every type of weather.

August is a particularly popular month for family holidays.  It is also a very busy month with some of the top festivals and events taking place around the country – Spraoi in Waterford, the Rose of Tralee in Kerry, the Fleadh in Wexford and National Heritage Week to name but a few.  Wherever you pitch up in Ireland there is always some event or festival taking place nearby.  Book into your favourite Campsite or explore somewhere you’ve never been before and soak up the atmosphere.  Plan a few days away in one of over 100 quality approved caravan & camping sites throughout Ireland.  Click here for details.

Here is Camping Ireland’s recommendation on some of the top festivals taking place in August and something for everyone to enjoy.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann comes to Wexford from the 4th-11th August.   The streets of Wexford town will come alive with traditional Irish music, dance and culture for people of all ages and abilities. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance.  Catch a live show at the Gig Rig along the Quay, get a bite to eat in the food and craft village, and join in with street performers busking and dancing in the centre of the town.  On Thursday 8^th the largest group playing tin whistles over a continuous 5-minute period will attempt to break a Guinness World Record!  Don’t miss on the brilliant gigs taking place.  As they say in Wexford “Are you coming to the Fleadh”.  Book into one of the sites in Wexford or Wicklow and take a trip into Wexford town to experience the Fleadh.

Just down the road in Waterford Spraoi takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend.  For three days each summer Waterford City hosts a spectacular summer street party.  The city’s medieval streets, squares, and quays create atmospheric performance spaces for audiences of all ages to be entertained and energised by hundreds of performers from around the world. The Spraoi Festival programme features contemporary circus, dance, music, food, spectacle events, a massive parade, and fireworks.  The highlight for families is the street parade on Sunday 4^th August at 9.30pm when spectacular floats, hundreds of costumed performers, live musicians, light, sound, and special effects weave through streets. A spectacular finale of fireworks launched from the River Suir at the quays follows the parade.

Following Spraoi Waterford also plays host to the Waterford Walls Street Art Festival from 9^th to 18^th August.  See national and International street artists across Waterford City and the county produce large scale mural artworks, live art, music, workshops, guided tours and so much more.

Check out some of the top quality sites in Waterford and Tipperary to pitch up and take in the buzz in Waterford City.

One of Ireland’s longest running festivals, Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival returns with another a jam-packed programme of events from 2^nd to 10^th August in the Offaly town.  It will feature professional, national and international artists bringing visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop up performers, workshops, exhibitions and lots more, together with a variety of community events.  On Friday 2^nd August The Big Beautiful Vintage Picnic takes place at Birr Castle.  Lay down your picnic blankets and spread out your own vintage-style picnic. Try your hand at a game of Garden Croquet or Skittles. A fun-filled day out for all the family.

The Kilkenny Arts Festival takes place from 8^th – 18^th August and is a gathering of many of the world’s finest musicians, performers, writers and artists.  From outdoor theatre to contemporary dance, the Festival is dedicated to staging events of the highest calibre, thrilling audiences of all kinds.

Plan a few days in Kilkenny, pitch up and enjoy these great festivals taking place.

Cork on a Fork takes place over 5 days from 14^th to 18^th August.  The city will showcase its culinary excellence, unique dining experiences, and quality local produce with incredible food, events, talks, cooking demos and festival fun.  Visitors will enjoy the magic ingredients of Cork City with a host of exclusive dining and entertainment experiences in this authentic and multicultural food destination, and you will sample incredible food from the region’s vast growers, producers and farmers, . There’s also plenty of opportunity to learn about the city’s fascinating food history.

County Cork has a large selection of top quality caravan & camping sites.  Get booking your pitch and take a trip into the Rebel City.

A great event for all the family is the Dublin Horse Show.  From August 14-18th, Ireland’s only 5-star equestrian event comes to the RDS. Throughout the week the RDS will be taken over by some of the best horses from the world. It is one of the top global equestrian events and all in the heart of Dublin city. Filled with great fun, good food, fancy drinks, and a little dressing up, the RDS Dublin Horse Show is an amazing experience and one of the best days out of the summer. Throughout the five days the extensive RDS grounds will be taken over by some of the best horses from around Ireland and the world. Over 168 national & international equestrian competitions will take place during the 149th Show, including Friday’s famous Nation’s Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy, as well as the Rolex Grand Prix and Defender Puissance.

Spend a few days in Dublin and see all the great sites and attractions around the city.

For a truly spectacular sight for all the family to enjoy you must take in Cruinniú na mBad (the Galway Hooker Festival) in Kinvara from 16^th to 18^th August.  The festival celebrates the living tradition of the sailing of beautiful Galway Hookers.  This fabulous regatta hosts the legendary turf boats as the harbour village of Kinvara throws itself into a frenzy of sessions with the cream of Irish traditional musicians and singers. The Galway Hooker is a traditional boat distinctive to Galway Bay and the coast of Connemara.  Up to 100 Galway Hookers boats will gather for a weekend of racing with races for each of the 4 varieties of boats.

Book a few nights in Galway, Clare or Mayo and view the spectacular Cruinniú na mBád.

The world renowned Rose of Tralee Festival takes place from 16^th – 20^th August.  Roses from around the world will descend on Tralee and join in on the fun and entertainment over the 5 days. There is a whole Programme of Events planned that the Roses, Escorts and Rose Buds will be participating in and attending as well as morning wellness, family shows and street entertainment during the day time and finishing off with a wide variety of bands and musicians once the sun goes down to keep the festivities alive. They also have amazing food and craft stalls with delicious cuisines and a variety of products along with a range of fringe events.  The Parade is a must for all the family with wonderful floats and talented marching bands from all over the country and will finish off with a fantastic firework display.

Whether you are planning a few days away or your annual family holiday Kerry is home to some of the top campsites in the country.

Every year, thousands flock to the beautiful seaside town of Ballycastle, Antrim for the Ould Lammas Fair.  The year the fair takes place from 24^th – 27^th August and the town bustles with street trading, bargaining, traditional music, dancing, horse trading, amusements, artisan markets and much more! Browse the stalls at the Naturally North Coast and Glen’s Artisan Market, which features local fresh produce, quirky handmade crafts and fine art. Experience the hustle and bustle of the horse trading village, get a thrill on one of the many funfair rides, or simply take in the atmosphere and local banter on the streets of Ballycastle!  Ireland’s oldest fair launches with a spectacular fireworks display at the Seafront on Saturday 24th August, perfectly complimented by live music and a twilight market.

Stay at one of the many top quality graded campsites throughout the region, and be assure of quality accommodation in great locations in Northern Ireland

National Heritage Week takes place this year from 17^th to 25^th August nationwide.  It celebrates Ireland’s culture and heritage and this year celebrates its 19^th year.  The theme for 2024 is “Connections, Routes and Networks” and will celebrate how we connect to each other, the links between people and communities.  There is something happening in every corner of Ireland with many events free of charge or nominal entrance fee.  On 17^th and 18^th August there will be free admission to more than 80 heritage sites nationally including the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Dublin’s Custom House Visitor Centre, Charles Fort Kinsale and Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre at Newgrange.

This is just a small selection of some of the great festivals and events taking place right around the country in August.  So whatever the weather you will have so much to see, do and explore.  Get booking a few days away and take in some of the top class events.

Camping Ireland has so much information to help you plan your caravan & camping trip away.  Our website is very user-friendly and has a number of great features which makes it very easy to navigate.  You can now add filters to your selection.  This will allow you to get information on parks that are specific to your needs.

You can filter for sites as follows:

Camping type – camping, glamping, mobile home hire, etc.

Holiday type – beach holiday, countryside, family-friendly, dog friendly, etc.

Facilities – beach nearby, playground, games room, shop, etc.

County

Region – Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Dublin or Northern Ireland

Also, many sites are now offering online booking which will help you secure your pitch at the click of a button.

Whatever you want Camping Ireland has something to suit everyone.  Enjoy the independence and flexibility that camping in Ireland can offer in quality approved sites.  We look forward to welcoming you to Ireland’s outdoor living.