Music Under the Irish Sun: 13 Festivals for Summer Craic
There’s something magical about walking around a sea of people, under the summer sun (fingers crossed), surrounded by chatter and laughter. Ice cream and beer. Tents and stars. Music. Music. Music.
Luckily, festivals are aplenty in Ireland.
At this point in the spring, most of the summer festivals have finalized their lineups. Recently, Electric Picnic, one of the biggest music festivals in Ireland, announced their lineup featuring the recently reunited Outkast. Big news!
Longitude is looking to make a splash in South Dublin again as it enters its second year. And, after a subpar showing in 2013, the future of Oxegen is currently unknown. No worries though! There are various other festivals that will suit anyone’s needs from surf parties on the beach to weekends packed with independent and local artists.
A new entry into Irish music festival scene, Longitude won the prize for Best New Festival and Best Medium Festival at the Irish Festival Awards 2013 with acts like Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Kodaline leading the way
This year the festival is headlined by a group of dynamic acts with the most established name being Massive Attack. Many of the others have rocketed into the spotlight only recently such as Haim, Bastille, and CHVCHES. James Vincent McMorrow is the most established Irish name in the lineup with Hozier – you may have seen his “Take Me to Church” music video – also featuring. Take a look at the rest of the lineup. Longitude 2014 should be quite the show. It’s got us excited!
Tickets: €149.50 for the whole weekend. €59.50 for a day ticket.
Note: Longitude is a no camping festival.
For the full lineup and more information: http://longitude.ie/
FORBIDDEN FRUIT
Sat 31 May – Sun 1 June | Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin
A Dublin inner city festival, Forbidden Fruit has become a fixture of Ireland’s festival season. 2011 was its inaugural festival and it is held annually during the June Bank Holiday weekend. The two-day event is held on the lovely grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
This year Forbidden Fruit will present The Flaming Lips, Bell X1, 2ManyDJs, Warpaint, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Public Enemy, and many more.
Tickets: €49.50 for 1-day/€99 for 2-days (Early Bird tickets). €59.50 for 1-day/€110 for 2-days (General tickets).
For the full lineup and more information: http://forbiddenfruit.ie/
LIVE AT THE MARQUEE
June – July | The Docklands, Centre Road Park, Cork
Established in 2005, this music festival is a bit different from the others. It isn’t a weekend extravaganza but a collection of individual concerts sprinkled throughout June and July. Just buy tickets to the artists you’re interested in seeing. Pick and choose!
There are some big names in play this year including Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, The Pixies, Robert Plant, Lana del Rey, The National, among others.
Tickets: Price varies.
For the full lineup and more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_at_the_Marquee_(festival)
BODY AND SOUL
Fri 20 June – Sun 22 June | Ballinlough Castle, Co. Meath
This one really caught our eye.
Body and Soul is all about creating an atmosphere and just providing an awesome party. They’re socially conscious. They’re independent. They’re alternative. They’re all about creating an aura that cookie-cutter festivals lack.
Headliners include Goldfrapp, John Grant, and Caribou.
Tickets: Tier 1-3 tickets are sold out. Tier 4 €129.50 or €157.50 with return bus from Dublin. Tier 5 €139.50 or €157.50 with return bus from Dublin.
For the full lineup and more information: http://bodyandsoul.ie/
This year marks the 11th year of the festival and it is growing strong. It is arguably Ireland’s largest festival. As mentioned above, Outkast leads a lineup featuring many other notables such as Portishead, Foals, Beck, Paolo Nutini, Lily Allen, St. Vincent, and London Grammar.
Tickets: €194.50 for the whole weekend (deals if you’ve attended the festival before) if purchased before 4 July. €90 for Sunday only.
For the full lineup and more information: http://www.electricpicnic.ie/index.php
Keep an eye out for:
OXEGEN
Dates TBD | Punchestown Racecourse, Co. Kildare
This festival was the biggest one in Ireland at one point. However, after a hiatus in 2012, the 2013 entry was heavily criticized for its dance-oriented lineup.
Don’t forget to check these out:
Sea Sessions – One big beach party!
Fri 27 June – Sun 29 June | Bundoran, Co. Donegal
Indiependence – Nominated for Best Small Festival (European Awards 2013)
Fri 1 August – Sun 3 August | Deer Farm, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
Knockanstockan
Dates TBD | Blessington Lakes, Co. Wicklow
Life Festival – A weekend of electronic music.
23 May – 25 May | Belvedere House, Co. Westmeath
Castlepalooza
Fri 1 August – Sun 3 August | Charlesville Castle, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
Westport
Sat 28 June – Sun 29 June | Westport House, Co. Mayo
Vantastical
Fri 2 May – Sun 4 May | Bellurgan Park, Bellurgan, Dundalk, Co.Louth
So that’s how things are shaping up at the moment.
Hopefully, you can make it down to at least one of these wonderful events!