- CREATE! Festival of Creativity, Hilton Park, Clones (13 June): A festival that brings together workshops, creative activities, family participation, and artistic experiences in the scenic grounds of Hilton Park.
- Monaghan Town Country Music Festival, Monaghan Town (around 9–12 July or mid-July dates): One of Ireland’s major country music events with multiple nights of live performances, dancing, open-air concerts in The Diamond, and family entertainment.
- Muckno Mania Festival, Castleblayney (10–12 July): A lively lakeside festival in Muckno Leisure Park with music, family activities, sports, entertainment, and a fiesta atmosphere across the town.
- Taste of Monaghan Street Food Fest, Monaghan Town (around 15 August): A celebration of local food and drink with artisan producers, street food stalls, live music, and community gatherings on Church Square.
- Other recurring or smaller events include weekly traditional music sessions in venues such as McCarren’s in Monaghan Town, local agricultural shows, and community activities during National Heritage Week in mid-August. Dates can vary slightly; check official sources such as MonaghanTourism.com, Monaghan County Council, or festival websites for the latest programmes, tickets, and updates.
Annual & recurring festivals
County Monaghan is known for its strong literary links to Patrick Kavanagh and its vibrant traditional and country music scenes. Here are the recurring and annual festivals in County Monaghan:
- Monaghan Drama Festival (March): A competitive amateur drama festival held at the Garage Theatre featuring top-tier theatrical groups from across Ireland.
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March): Large community celebrations and parades held in Monaghan Town, Castleblayney, and Clones.
- Cavan-Monaghan Science Festival (November): A regional celebration of STEM featuring workshops, demonstrations, and talks across various local venues.
- Monaghan County Agricultural Show (July): A traditional rural showcase featuring livestock competitions, home industries, and family entertainment.
- Castleblayney Agricultural Show (August): One of the region’s largest one-day shows, focusing on equestrian events, cattle, and local artisan food.
- Muckno Mania Festival (July): A four-day family festival in Castleblayney featuring street theatre, sporting events, and water-based activities on Lough Muckno.
- Flat Lake Festival (August): An eclectic arts, music, and literary festival held at Hilton Park, known for its quirky atmosphere and diverse line-up.
- Harvest Time Blues Festival (September): A major international blues festival that turns Monaghan Town into a hub for world-class guitarists and performers.
- Patrick Kavanagh Weekend (September): An annual literary festival and keynote event in Inniskeen celebrating the life and works of the famous poet.
- Castleblayney Music Festival (July): A popular outdoor festival showcasing the best of Irish country and contemporary music.
- Clones Canal Festival (October): A community heritage event celebrating the town’s history and the Ulster Canal with music and family fun.
- Monaghan Country Music Festival (July): A four-day open-air event in Monaghan Town featuring the biggest names in Irish country music and outdoor dancing.
- Winter Wonderland Monaghan (December): A festive celebration in the town centre featuring an ice rink, Christmas markets, and a Santa grotto.
Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Monaghan:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
