- Letterkenny Pride, Letterkenny (May/June Bank Holiday weekend, e.g., late May–early June): A vibrant Pride celebration opening Pride Month with parades, live music, community events, and inclusive activities welcoming everyone to the northwest.
- Earagail Arts Festival (various venues across County Donegal) (10–25 July): Donegal’s premier multidisciplinary summer arts festival featuring world-class performances in music, circus, dance, theatre, visual arts, and spoken word, with many events in scenic locations along the Wild Atlantic Way.
- Letterkenny Blues and Roots Festival, Letterkenny (1–5 July): A lively music festival showcasing blues, roots, and related genres with concerts and events across various venues in the town.
- The Lennon Festival, Ramelton (main music programme 10–13 July): A vibrant community music festival celebrating local heritage with live performances, pre-events, and family-friendly activities in the historic town of Ramelton.
- Buncrana Music Festival, Buncrana (10–12 July): One of the biggest music festivals in the northwest, with major acts performing on the shorefront in a lively seaside setting.
- Wild Atlantic Festival, Ardara (3–7 August): A celebration of the Wild Atlantic Way with music, culture, local produce, and community events in the scenic southwest Donegal town.
- Ardara Agricultural Show, Ardara (8 August): A traditional agricultural show featuring livestock, horses, trade stands, family entertainment, and rural heritage displays.
- Other recurring or smaller events include the East Donegal Family History Festival (late June–early July), various local shows, country music weekends, heritage events during National Heritage Week (mid-August), and community gatherings such as markets and regattas. Dates can vary slightly; check official sources like Go Visit Donegal, Discover Ireland, or individual festival websites for the latest programmes, tickets, and updates.
Annual & recurring festivals
County Donegal is famous for its rugged landscapes and deep-rooted musical and cultural traditions. Here are the recurring and annual festivals in County Donegal:
- Letterkenny TradWeek (January): A week-long celebration of Irish traditional, folk, and world music featuring concerts, workshops, and school events in Letterkenny.
- Awaken the North (March): A St. Patrick’s weekend festival in Buncrana and the Inishowen area featuring music, light installations, and community parades.
- Cup of Tae Festival (May): A traditional music festival in Ardara dedicated to the memory of famous local fiddler John “The Tae” Gallagher, focusing on workshops and pub sessions.
- North West Garden Show (May): A major horticultural event in Castlefin showcasing garden designs, floral displays, and local artisan food.
- Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival (June): Thousands of fans gather in Ballyshannon, the birthplace of the legendary guitarist, for a four-day rock and blues festival.
- Sea Sessions Surf & Music Festival (June): A massive beachside festival in Bundoran that combines world-class surfing competitions with a high-profile lineup of pop, rock, and dance acts.
- Cruit Island Music Festival (June): An intimate festival celebrating traditional and contemporary music on the scenic Cruit Island.
- Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival (July): A ten-day community festival in Dungloe featuring music, street carnival events, and the famous crowning of the “Mary.”
- Earagail Arts Festival (July): A premier multi-disciplinary arts festival with events moving across the county, including bilingual theatre, circus, visual arts, and outdoor concerts.
- Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival (August): One of Ireland’s oldest folk festivals, featuring headline concerts, street sessions, and talent competitions in Ballyshannon.
- A Taste of Donegal Food Festival (August): A three-day food lover’s event in Donegal Town showcasing local producers, celebrity chef demonstrations, and wine tastings.
- Clonmany Festival (August): Ireland’s longest-running family street festival, famous for its country music nights, outdoor markets, and community competitions.
- Inishowen International Folk Song Festival (October): A world-renowned gathering in Ballyliffin for traditional singers and scholars, featuring sessions and workshops in the art of unaccompanied singing.
- Donegal Bay Film Festival (October): A showcase of independent cinema held in Bundoran, focusing on short films and local filmmaking talent.
- Ghostly Manor at Oakfield Park (October): A popular Halloween event in Raphoe featuring “train rides from hell,” light shows, and family-friendly spooky installations.
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
Donegal:
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
