Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, announced a combined €933,250 in funding to Fáilte Ireland to support regional and food tourism festivals throughout 2026.
The Regional Festivals Fund (€623,250) allocation will support approximately 250 festivals across 31 local authorities. The funding represents an increase from 2025 levels. Each local authority is guaranteed a minimum of €10,000 to support local festival activity.
The Food Festival Fund (€310,000) is a new, dedicated fund specifically designed to enhance food-focused festivals and Ireland’s culinary tourism offering. Every local authority will receive an additional €10,000 specifically to support established food festivals that contribute to local economies.
Several major festivals have already begun preparations or opened ticket sales for the 2026 season:
- Waterford Festival of Food: Tickets are currently on sale for what is expected to be its most expansive programme to date.
- Ballymaloe Festival of Food: Scheduled for 17 May 2026 at the Ballymaloe Grainstore, Midleton, Co. Cork. This premier event features world-class chefs and seasonal Irish cooking.
- Donegal Festival of Food and Craft: Taking place at Oakfield Park, Raphoe, on 4 May 2026, focusing on local produce and craftsmanship.
- WellFest Dublin: Europe’s largest outdoor health and wellness festival, held 9 May 2026 at IMMA, which includes live cooking demos and expert nutrition advice.
This announcement is part of a broader strategy, following the Strategic Tourism Festival Investment Scheme which awarded €4.4m in 2025 to support nationally significant festivals over a three-year period (2026–2028)
Ireland’s 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
Happening this month
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
