Five of the best Irish music festivals this summer
The Irish summer in not only renowned for the frustratingly unpredictable weather, but for the volume of high quality music festivals taking place nationwide. Here are five of the best.
Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival
Where? Bundoran, County Donegal
When? Friday June 29 – Sunday July 1
How much? Tickets for each individual day cost €50, although it doesn’t cost an awful lot extra to take in the whole weekend at €88.50. Weekend ticket holders have access to the campsite, which costs €30 for five days. That’s for over-18s only, but there is also a campsite catering for families a ten minute walk away at the local GAA club. Click here to buy tickets.
Star attractions: There’s plenty going on five different stages over the three days to cater for a wide variety of musical tastes, but the acts pulling in the big crowds will be the Kaiser Chiefs, Run DMC’s Rev Run and ‘Madchester’s’ finest, the Happy Mondays.
For more info, check out the Sea Sessions website
Castlepalooza Music and Arts Festival
Where? Charleville Castle, Tullamore, County Offaly
When? Friday August 3 – Sunday August 5
How Much? Some of the tickets, including the campervan and the incredibly adventurous sounding moat camping option have been sold out, but three day tickets with camping are available for €85, three days with no camping for €65 and Sunday only with no camping for €35. Click here to buy tickets.
Star attractions: Renowned British band The Charlatans will be a popular addition to the line-up, while Jape and Roisin O will also be well worth a watch.
Castlepalooza festival website
Glasgowbury
Where? Moneyneany, County Derry
When? Saturday July 21
How Much? Festival only tickets are €42, festival tickets with camping are €54. Click here to buy tickets.
Star attractions: Headliners Therapy? will be the biggest attraction, while Japanese Popstars and Fighting with Wire also feature in a substantial line-up.
For more info, here’s the Glasgowbury website
Indiependence Music and Arts Festival
Where? Deer Farm, Mitchelstown, County Cork
When? Friday August 3 – Sunday August 5
How Much? A three day ticket with camping will set you back €99, a three-day ticket without camping is €79. It costs €60 to bring a camper van along, although every person travelling in the camper van needs a three-day camping ticket. Click here to buy tickets.
Star attractions: 2 Many DJ’s and Maverick Sabre are the pick of the headline acts, while there are loads of good Irish acts including Delorentos, Bressie and The Frank and Walters.
For more, check out the Indiependence festival website.
Electric Picnic
Where? Stradbally Hall, County Laois.
When? Friday August 31 – Sunday September 2
How much? With Oxegen off the scene this year the Picnic is the daddy of the summer festivals, and it’s priced up accordingly. Weekend camping tickets will set you back €230, while Sunday day tickets are available from €99.50. An extra 60 yoyos will also allow you to bring your campervan along too. Click here to buy tickets.
Star attractions: The Cure is the one that got most tongues wagging when the line-up announcement was made earlier this year, but eclecticism is always the name of the day when it comes to Electric Picnic. Sigur Ros, Azealia Banks and Roots Manuva will have plenty of followers, while those looking for Irish performers will also have loads of choice, including Christy Moore, Glen Hansard, Bell X1 and many others.
For more, check out the Electric Picnic website.
