June 2015

12th June - 14th June

Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival - Music

Once again the beautiful town of Westport will host "the 9th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival" and all the bluegrass and folk lovers will find good music in bars and streets all over this week-end. The three-day Festival attracts local, national and international artists and audiences. The atmosphere of this event is very important warm and open, here all people feel included and have fun.

This year many bands from UK, Germany, Australia, America, Northern Ireland and Ireland will perform in the multi-venue festival.

Many workshops and informal sessions will be organised and people of the public are welcome to join in and play with the artists and groups.

13th June - 14th June

Give It A Go! Achill 2015 - Outdoor Activities

This outdoor activities will take place in the amazing scenary of Achill Island. Visitors will be able to attend many taster sessions of fantastic outdoor activities organised on different venues: surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing, horse-riding, guided walks, boat trip, garden tours and cycling along the Wild Atlantic Way. There will be also a free BBQ on Saturday evening.

A great fun for families and friends!

17th June - 21st June

Westport Sea Angling Festival - Outdoor Activities

The Westport Sea Angling Festival is a very well known event among anglers from all over Ireland, England, Scotland Wales and Holland. A day shore competition and a three days boat competition are organised every year since 1956. Events include: Overall, Overseas, Ladies, Junior, Teams of 4 and Teams of 2, Daily prizes and more. The clear waters of the Clew Bay, near Westport, guarantee catches of different varieties of fish.

June-July-August

Cruinniu Badoiri Acla - Achill Yawl Sailing Festival

The Cruinniu Badoiri Acla takes place at various locations along Achill Island and it runs from July to September each year at weekends and in the evenings when tides allow. Usually the teams involved come from Achill and Mulranny areas.

18th June - 21st June

Erris Beo Festival - Traditional Culture

This festival will take place in Erris from Thursday 18th June to Sunday 21st June.

There will be a huge number of activities such as guided walks at Erris Loop and Cross Loop, a Midnight Corncrake Tour (a unique opportunity to hear corncrake’s call), open golf competitions, a road race along the Wild Atlantic Way, a trip to deserts island and much more.

28th June - 04th July

Seosamh MacGabhann Summer School - Music

The little village of Kilmovee hosts the annual Seosamh MacGabhann Summer School. It takes place in the Community Centre in July, with classes and tuition provided in traditional Irish music, sean nós dancing, conversational Irish and traditional singing in Irish and English. Some of the best tutors in the country give classes in tin whistle, concertina, fiddle, flute, banjo, bodhrán and accordion.

Sessions are held each evening where pupils get a chance to practise tunes learned during the day; tutors join the full sessions offering a great night of music and dance.

On Saturday night the Summer School will be opened by the All Ireland Champion Ceìli Band - The Knockmore Ceìli Band. This will be followed on Sunday with a heritage tour, visiting sites as described in a book written by the late Seosamh Mac Gabhann. A closing concert will take place at the end of the week where pupils and tutors will perform to a packed hall.