All India, 14th October (GPN) : With a world-class line-up of festivals across the island, Ireland will take some beating in the autumn-winter period as the perfect destination for a short break.
From October through to New Year’s Day and beyond, the island will welcome thousands of festival-goers to enjoy some of the best music, laughter, drama, art, dance and spectacle on the planet.
Get going in the capital with Dublin’s Festival Season (1 September – 31 October). It includes Dublin Theatre Festival (29 September – 16 October), which presents 28 top-notch shows over 18 days.
Dublin Theatre Festival is exceptional. This year it features new takes on old classics such as Don Giovanni and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as original compositions including the mesmerising Ancient Rain inspired by Ireland’s great poetry.
At Halloween, Dublin revels playfully in the mysterious, the unusual and the thrilling in its Bram Stoker Festival (28 – 31 October) inspired by Dublin-born writer, Abraham Stoker, best known for the iconic Dracula novel.
By day, the festival presents gothic intrigue at family-friendly events; by night, it embraces the darkness delivering deadly adventures for those in search of macabre and late-night partying.
For a less chilling and more tuneful Halloween, the historic city of Cork is the place to be. The Cork Jazz Festival (28 – 31 October) presents an eclectic programme of the best of Irish and international musicians. This year’s headliners will include Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III; top US jazz performer, Dick Oatts; Irish talent, Booka Brass Band and Brian Deady.
The acclaimed Belfast International Arts Festival (11 – 29 October) is a great excuse for a short break in Titanic town. This year’s festival has three main themes: 1916, Bending the Bard and World in Motion, expressed in a dizzying array of arts and performance.
Or for guaranteed belly laughs, head for the Belfast Comedy Festival (28 September – 9 October) with over 50 events featuring hundreds of performers and even laughter yoga.
Many more festivals and events are taking place right around the island this autumn and winter, but the year’s final festival fling is the not-to-be-missed New Year Festival (30 December – 1 January) in Dublin.
Ring in the New Year at the Countdown Concert, follow the captivating music and arts trails across the city – and be prepared for a few surprises.
