From popular music gigs to arts festivals and agriculture shows, there are endless events in Offaly this summer.
Here are just some to add to your calendar that are happening in and around Offaly:
Riverfest
The Riverfest music festival is back on the picturesque banks of the River Shannon at Lukers Bar Shannonbridge, and has become one of the fastest growing festivals in the country.
From Friday, 28th until Sunday, 30th June, a range of Irish acts will be performing live, including headliners Lyra and Fionn Curran, as well as Danny Byrne Band, Jack Reilly and more. Across the weekend, you can also experience mesmerising fire showcases along the Shannon, be spellbound by other stunning performances and explore the artisans’ market. There’s also a wellness area, yoga, pilates, morning river swims, arts and crafts, kids’ entertainment and more.
Early bird weekend camping/campervan tickets are €129 plus booking fee, but if you don’t feel like camping, there are also weekend and day tickets available from €22.
Lukers of Shannonbridge is also hosting a ‘Culchies Bash’ on Saturday, 20th and Sunday 21st July, featuring tractors, tunes and cans! Across the two days, the likes of The Tumbling Paddies, Blessed and Garron Noone will be performing, with a weekend camping ticket costing €99 (plus booking fee). A weekend ticket without camping is €45 (plus booking fee) and day tickets without camping are €29.
To book tickets for Riverfest and the Culchies Bash, visit riverfest.lukersbar.com
Edenderry Festival
The Edenderry music festival returns Friday, 28th, Saturday, 29th and Sunday, 30th June at Edenderry GAA grounds.
Popular Offaly band Ruaile Buaile will be kicking off the event on Friday. On Saturday, the line-up will feature tribute acts like Qween, Trevor Smith’s Garth Brooks tribute (Friends in Low Places), and many more.
A weekend ticket is €36.50, while day tickets are €16 each. Note that card payments aren’t accepted at the event – cash only. On Sunday, a family fun day is organised at the festival, with free admission. There’ll be bouncy castles, a children’s fun fair, a children’s comedy show, music, party games and special cartoon guests, providing a memorable day out for families!
To buy tickets to the music acts, visit Ticketstop
Scripts Ireland Playwriting Festival
Calling all creatives for the annual four-day Scripts Ireland Playwriting Festival in Birr. This festival is dedicated to new Irish plays—the writing of them, the development and nurturing of them.
This year’s theme is ‘Time’ and three scripts, that have been selected for development through a rigorous shortlisting process, will receive a week of mentoring and script development under the guidance of Playwright and Screenwriter Eugene O’Brien. The residency supports three playwrights with a team of artists to mentor, develop, and produce the emerging scripts for a rehearsed reading of the new works by professional actors at the festival finale.
While submissions for entry are now closed, people can join in on the fun of the festival, which has a whole host of exciting events for lovers of theatre including live theatre workshops. Taking place from Monday, 8th July – Friday, 12th July 2024.
For more information, visit scriptsireland.com
Beat on the Peat
Get your dancing shoes on for Belmont’s country music festival, Beat on the Peat! Taking place on Sunday, 9th July at Moystown GAA pitch from 1pm to 7pm, this one-day event is a perfect way for families and friends to spend the day.
This year’s line-up will feature amazing Irish artists including The Whistlin’ Donkeys, Ruaile Buaile, Tradstone and The Porter Bellys – so you’ll be guaranteed to be up jiving at some stage!
Tickets are €30 each and admission is free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult. There’s plenty of entertainment on the day, as well as a bar and food vans.
You can purchase tickets here
Birr Vintage and Arts Festival
Possibly one of the most anticipated events in Offaly of the year by both locals and visitors alike is Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival.
The festival features professional, national and international artists bringing visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop-up performers, workshops, exhibitions and lots more, together with a variety of community events. It’s one of the longest-running festivals of its kind in Ireland.
Returning this year from Friday 2nd – Saturday 10th August, there will be over 90 events across the nine days, including the crown jewel of the festival, The Vintage Day Parade on Sunday, 4th August and the fireworks night, with live music, on Thursday, 7th August. The week also offers the opportunity to put on your best vintage wear, so dust off the glad rags and enjoy a week full of fun-filled events and activities!
Stay updated on events by visiting birrvintageweek.com
Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show
Another major event, and one marked in the diaries of all those involved in, and who have a passion for, agriculture. Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show is Ireland’s premier agricultural event. It attracts the best cattle, sheep, and equine breeders from all over the country each year, alongside entrants for its other 1,000-plus competitions, with a total prize fund of €175,000.
It is Ireland’s largest one-day show, averaging 60,000 visitors in recent years, with 700 trade stands from agri-sectors, cattle and sheep, farm and forestry machinery, farm produce and more. But it’s not just for those in the agri industry, as Tullamore Show is filled with plenty of lifestyle stands too, with food, fashion, homeware and more, as well as live entertainment and music throughout the day.
This year’s show takes place on Sunday, 11th August and general admission for an adult is €20 per ticket, while kids under 12 with an accompanying adult are free.
Visit tullamoreshow.com
Neighbouring counties are hosting exciting events too! If you are attending any of the following festivals, make sure to stop off in county Offaly and check out some of the county’s attractions!
Forest Fest Music and Arts Festival
You really won’t be stuck for a good music festival this year, with the amount happening around Offaly this summer – so there’s something to suit everyone! And Forest Fest is one that will make you feel nostalgic.
Happening in Emo Woods, just 36 minutes from Tullamore and close to Portarlington, Forest Fest’s line-up includes 80s band, Human League, 80s rock bands, The Cult and The Stunning, plus many more.
There’s also a Forest Fleadh for traditional Irish music lovers and an Ibiza Summer Dance set with international DJs (keep an eye on the website for more details). There’s also plenty of family entertainment to be announced.
Forest Fest is taking place from Friday, 19th – Sunday, 21st July, and prices vary depending on if you are booking a weekend glamping package, weekend camping pass or campervan pass. But if you fancy just attending on one of the days, then day tickets are €85 each.
For more information and to book, visit forestfest.ie
Kilbeggan Races
To enjoy a day at the races this summer, head to the Kilbeggan Races. The racecourse is only about a 20-minute drive from Tullamore, and there are many races taking place over various dates during the summer.
On Friday 12th July, don’t miss the Midlands National Race, which has become the social event of the year in the Midlands, attracting visitors from near and far who want to experience the excitement and glamour of Irish horse-racing. The race day will also feature the Sustainable Style Ladies Competition – so get your best sustainable fashion outfits ready!
But the excitement doesn’t end there – on Friday 16th August, Kilbeggan will host another Sustainable Style Ladies Competition – so there’s plenty of opportunity to win best dressed, or you might even win big on the horses! General admission is €13.50 when booked online, and €15 at the gate.
Check out kilbegganraces.com for more information
Electric Picnic
The anticipated line-up of Electric Picnic 2024 has recently been announced and while it had some mixed reactions, there’s no doubt that this is one of the largest music festivals in Ireland.
Based in Stradbally in Laois, less than an hour from Tullamore, this year sees Noah Kahan, Gerry Cinnamon, Calvin Harris, Kodaline, Kylie Minogue and Raye as headliners, while great acts like the Wolfe Tones, Amble, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Waterboys, Peggy Gou and more will also be performing.
This year, Electric Picnic is on in August (Friday, 16th – Sunday, 18th August) rather than September as usual, so let’s hope August brings some sunshine! And while tickets are now all sold out, if you didn’t get one, you could get lucky if someone sells their tickets closer to the time – so keep your eyes peeled!
Visit electricpicnic.ie
Offaly good time!
If you’re visiting Offaly for these festivals or as a day trip, there are also smaller events cropping up in various locations that are worth checking out, such as:
- Guided Biodiversity Walk at Camcor Wood for Biodiversity Week – On Saturday, 19th May, you can join a free group walk, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the stunning Camcor woodland. Meeting at the Kinnitty Looped Walks Trailhead at 10:30am and the day will finish with a picnic lunch, tea and coffee. Wellies are essential. To book a place and for more information, click here
- Tour and Wine-Tasting – On Saturday 9th June, from 2pm – 4pm, the Coole Eco Community in Ferbane are hosting a tour of their garden and animals, as well as wine-tasting in a yurt. Owner Siobhán makes artisanal wines from foraged fruit and flowers and from organic apples grown on-site. Costs €10 – €20 and can be booked here. Book soon, as places are limited.
- Fairy School at Birr Castle – This interactive fairy school for children will be filled with adventure and fun. Happening on Saturday, 15th June at 1:30pm – 4pm, tickets are €40 per child (plus booking fee) and can be purchased here
- Nathan Carter – Get ready for a night of country music magic as Nathan Carter takes the stage at the Tullamore Court Hotel on 13th July! General admission is 30 and tickets can be booked here