Failte Ireland - Ireland Buyers Guide 2018

DUBLIN Dublin has a vibrant year round festival scene including festivals dedicated to theatre, film, food, literature, the outdoors, dance and Irish heritage and nationhood. For culture vultures, Dublin offers endless variety. Tradfest in late January, early February provides up close and personal trad. music sessions from Irish and International greats, while Culture Night – Ireland’s iconic celebration of Irish culture, hosted in September, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the city’s museums, galleries, churches for free as well as many historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural centres some of which are opened specifically for this event. Festivals such as Bloomsday in June celebrates the literature and social fabric of Georgian Dublin in a time past, while the Dublin Theatre Festival and The Dublin Fringe Festival offer those with a passion for the arts, opportunities for back stage tours and access to multi-disciplinary innovative approaches to arts immersion from Irish and International writers, directors and artists. Ireland’s national celebration of identity, arts and culture, St Patrick’s Festival, showcases the very best of Irish and international talent and entertainment with a whole host of fun festivities.With countless activities over 5 days of celebration, the festival is world-famous for its legendary parade which travels across the city and never fails to astound and amaze, with its myriad of talented performers, vivid colours and awesome hand-crafted structures. BRAM STOKER Inspired by the heritage of Dublin-born Gothic author Bram Stoker and his notorious novel Dracula, the Bram Stoker Festival playfully celebrates the gothic, the mysterious, the after-dark and the thrill of late October as Ireland approaches Halloween and Samhain. Incorporating a range of events from large- scale spectacles to intimate performances in unusual spaces, along with a whole range of film and literary events, the festival always manages to whet just about everyone’s appetite. Enjoy a devilish mixture of fun, adventurous arts and the unexpected at this spooktacular festival! Contact  Tom Lawlor Email  tomlawlor@gmail.com Website  www.bramstokerfestival.com NYF DUBLIN Gather in the heart of Dublin as the city comes alive for fun-filled New Year’s festivities. Bringing together some of Ireland’s best talents, NYF Dublin offers a host of free and family friendly activities guaranteed to entertain and excite. Contact  Shane Dunne Email  shane@mcd.ie Website  www.nyfdublin.com For a full list of festivals and events in Dublin please go to page 138. 137