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September Serenade: Discover Ireland's Best Festivals for a Memorable Autumn Escape!

Updated: May 20


Location: Ireland

Great for: Singles, Couples, Families, Groups, and Honeymoons


Showing irish dancers
Irish Dancers

If you love to avoid the hoards of travelers and prefer to travel in September, I hear you! I love September travel too. And if Ireland is on your list you are in for a treat. Ireland has so many festivals held in September you won't know which to choose. If you are beginning to plan your trip there, take these into consideration when building an itinerary. Here are a few to consider.


Please note that the dates and availability may vary from year to year, so it's best to check their official websites for the most accurate and current information. I've listed the most current website but they may change from year to year.


Man playing an electric guitar
Electric Guitar

Electric Picnic Music and Arts Festival

One of Ireland's largest and most diverse music festivals featuring a mix of music genres, arts, and entertainment. It's held annually in Stradbally, County Laois. It attracts a diverse range of music lovers with its eclectic lineup of international and Irish artists spanning various genres. It's labeled as a circus feel with a rock-and-roll attitude. What's not to love with that tagline? The festival also features art, spoken word performances, comedy shows, and a wide range of food and drink options. Tickets for this event sell out so it is important to plan in advance.




A plate of fresh oysters
Galway Oysters

Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival

This one can not be missed! Taking place in the vibrant city of Galway, this world-renowned festival celebrates the area's rich seafood heritage. It features a variety of oyster-related events, including oyster shucking competitions, tasting sessions, and demonstrations by world famous chefs. Visitors can indulge in fresh seafood, enjoy live music, and immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere of Galway. You'll also hear live music and entertainment. If you love seafood and oysters, this one is the one to see.



Pro Tip: While your here pick up a Claddagh Ring; they originated here. For the Story of the Claddagh Ring check out this blog.

Clarenbridge Oyster Festival

The Clarenbridge Oyster Festival is a renowned annual event as well held in the picturesque village of Clarenbridge, County Galway, Ireland. This festival celebrates the rich tradition of oyster farming in the region and showcases the culinary delights of fresh oysters. You'll find seafood of all kinds at this festival, not just oysters. Much like the above festival, you will find a variety of similar oyster-related activities, including oyster shucking competitions, tastings, and demonstrations by skilled oyster farmers. Attendees can savor the taste of freshly harvested oysters while enjoying live music, entertainment, and a lively atmosphere. With its charming location on the banks of the Clarin River, the Clarenbridge Oyster Festival provides a delightful experience for those seeking a memorable and authentic events.



A picture of a Couple in Ireland
Matchmaking Festival

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival

Lisdoonvarna, a small town in County Clare, hosts this unique festival that combines music, dancing, and the age-old tradition of matchmaking. The festival attracts singles from around the world seeking love and companionship. It offers a range of activities, including live music, dancing, speed dating, and the chance to meet local matchmakers who help facilitate connections. Single or in a relationship, this festival is one to see. Those matched here, and many married, come back each year to where it all began. If you are a Hallmark movie fan, check out "As Luck Would Have It" with a storyline about this festival with some changes and artistic liberties.



TEmple Bar with man entering
Temple Bar in Dublin

Dublin Fringe Festival

The Dublin Fringe Festival is a vibrant and experimental arts festival that showcases the work of emerging and established artists across various disciplines. It features an exciting program of theater performances, dance shows, comedy acts, music concerts, visual arts exhibitions, and immersive experiences. As "fringe" might indicate the performances may push the boundaries, so come ready. The festival takes place in multiple venues throughout Dublin.





guitar
Music and More in Clifden

Clifden Arts Festival

Held in the picturesque town of Clifden in County Galway, the Clifden Arts Festival is a week-long celebration of the arts. It showcases a diverse range of artistic disciplines, including music, literature, theater, visual arts, workshops, and talks. The festival attracts both local and international artists, creating a lively atmosphere in the charming surroundings of Clifden.



GAlway downtown with people walkign and tower at the end
Downtown Galway

Waterford Harvest Festival

The Waterford Harvest Festival is a 10-day food and drink festival held in the city of Waterford. It aims to promote and celebrate the region's rich culinary heritage and local producers. The festival offers a wide range of food-related events, such as farmers' markets, cookery demonstrations, food trails, pop-up restaurants, and live entertainment. It's a fantastic opportunity to taste delicious local produce and experience Waterford's vibrant food scene. Don't forget to stop by Waterford Crystal while you are there.




These are just a few of the festivals you might see during travel to Ireland. If you love festivals ask your travel advisor to build some time in for a few of these or try to coordinate a tour that is in town on those dates and offers enough downtime to attend. Better yet, come in early or stay after the tour and see it at your leisure.



Tina from Vibrant Travel in Ireland with Wicklow Mountains in the background
Tina from Vibrant Travel in Ireland

At Vibrant Travel, we research, plan, and book vacations for busy travelers, couples, and groups looking for authentic experiences in Europe and beyond. We take the confusion of travel planning, the overwhelm of group organization, and hours of searching online off your plate and use our knowledge of the locations, vendors, and experiences to create a vacation you will love without the hassles, time, and stress of planning it yourself. Best of all we only work with vetted vendors who provide the highest quality services.

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We specialize in all of Europe and focus on select destinations that you might find on your bucket list; Ireland, Iceland, and Italy.  But each year we create trips to bucket list destinations like Japan, S. Korea, Australia, Kenya, and South Africa to name a few.


The vacations we plan are the vacations we love to take ourselves so we can offer you experiences and places you may not have even considered but ones that will create memories that last forever.



Call today at 407-517-4744 to end the frustration of doing it all yourself.


See our group trips here.


 

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