Ireland's Best August Festivals

It’s not too late to take advantage of Ireland’s best summer festivals. August is an action packed month for events nationwide, and Holiday Homes Direct has a wide selection of self catering homes that will maximize your holiday experience.

The most popular place among Irish travelers is consistently Galway, with its glamorous Galway races running until August 5th with over 220,000 people in attendance. And what better way to unwind from the eager crowds than in the comfort of your own Galway self catering home?


Laois holds a close second, largely due to its International Garden Festival happening until the 23rd at Emo Court in Emo Co. Laois.The festival, open 10am - 6pm seven days a week, is sure to entertain children and adults with the interactive gardens like "Kanguroots", Frog's Dream" and "American Patch & Work". This Bank Holiday weekend there will be an interactive farm yard, stilt walkers, face painters, mime artists, and balloon men.


Irish travelers will also be able to experience the lively atmosphere as voyeurs of the Tour of Ireland cycle race that runs from August 22nd-26th. This event will attract over 525,000 spectators as it departs from the Kilkenny Castle and ends in Merrion Square. This event brings top level professional cycling back to Ireland for the first time since the Tour de France in 1998 and is sure to get you back on your bike. So whether it be in Kilkenny or  a stop along the way, check out some of our self catering homes in the area and get a front row seat to the event’s festivities.

 

Lastly, there is the Waterford Spraoi Festival that takes place this weekend from the 2nd - 5th August. This child friendly festival takes over the city centre of Waterford for three days, transforming the streets into a theatrical stage for acts from all over the world. And it's all free! The Spraoi Parade, the company's own production, is usually held on Sunday evening and is the highlight of the festival. It's followed by a dazzling fireworks display over the River Suir. So if Waterford be your destination of choice, make sure to venture to one of our Waterford accommodations in time to catch this majestic festival!