Ireland is known for its huge range of festivals and this year there is going to be something for everyone in the family. Take your pick from a packed calendar of fun-filled, unusual events and visit www.discoverireland.ie/whatson
One festival we simply cannot miss is Tedfest – a festival celebrating all things Father Ted. The Father Ted lookalikes will be inhabiting Craggy Island, aka Inis Mór, County Galway from February 21st – 24th. This irreverent celebration of the cult TV show will throw you into the hilarious world of Fr. Ted, Dougal and the mad Fr. Jack. There will also be several Mrs. Doyles on hand to provide tea and hospitality. www.tedfest.org
The picturesque town of Carlingford is hosting the National Poultry Races on April Fools’ Day. This hilarious festival will see chickens, roosters, ducks and geese race to the finishing line. www.carlingfordandmourne.com. Or why not get the entire family involved in The Carlingford National Leprechaun Hunt (April 7th), on the Slieve Foy Mountain. According to legend, the remaining 236 leprechauns can be found here and there will be cash prizes stashed underneath hidden ceramic leprechauns. Visit www.thelastleprechaunsofireland.com
Find your inner farmer in Co. Meath and try your hand at some sheaf tossing at the National Hay Making Festival, in Trim on June 16th. This is a fun day out for all the family with working horses, vintage tractors, a pet’s corner and a chance to see a hay cocking machine in action. www.trimhaymakingfestival.com
Galway always delivers amazing festivals and this year Ballymoe will host The Town of 1000 Beards Festival on June 28th. See some amazing bearded wonders as they try to break the world record for the largest number of bearded men in one place. There will be music, storytelling, national and international beard competitions. Galway will also host The Tuam Jog in the Bog festival on July 16th & 17th. This adventure race through the bog welcomes novice and experienced athletes. Visit www.joginthebog.ie
The Irish Bog Snorkelling Championships will take place in Castleblayney in Co. Monaghan on September 13th. Competitors swim a 120 meter stretch through a bog and the challenge is to break the 1 minute 24 seconds world record. www.irishbogsnorkelling.com
Co. Laois will host the Durrow Scarecrow Festival from July 28th – August 5th, attracting over 120 colourful scarecrows to compete in the All-Ireland Scarecrow Championships. www.durrowscarecrowfestival.com . If scarecrows aren’t enough to frighten you, join the Dublin Zombie Walk on August 4th where you can moan, lurch and crawl through the city centre.
If you have twins in your family, take part in Twin Fest Ireland in Keash, Co. Sligo on August 24th. The festival created for twins, triplets, quads and their families will have activities for every age group. At the end of the day kings, queens, princesses, and princes will be crowd. www.twinfest.ie
If you are searching for your soul mate, visit Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in Co. Clare which takes place throughout the month of September. This event attracts up to 40,000 hopeful singles, and there are always plenty of laughs to be had. www.matchmakerireland.com
Become a child again at the Irish Conker Championship Festival in Freshford, Co. Kilkenny on October 27th. There are competitions for individuals of all ages, and a nutty team championship of four www.irishconkerchampion.com
To find out more about these events visit www.discoverireland.ie/whatson
