Our take on five Irish festivals that don’t live up to their reputation (and what to do instead).
Ireland hosts numerous renowned festivals every year. However, some of the best-known events are not always worth the hype.
This is often due to the influx of tourists and rising prices. Other local alternatives can offer more authentic experiences, where you may get better value for money.
5. Puck Fair – a historic festival under scrutiny
The Puck Fair, one of Ireland’s oldest fairs, takes place from 10 to 12 August every year in Killorglin, County Kerry. Its tradition involves capturing a wild goat from the mountain and hoisting it above the town square, a practice that has raised ongoing animal welfare concerns in recent years.
While many tourists visit the Puck Fair, cramming the town with visitors each year because of its famous street markets, they are often disappointed by the cheap, mass-produced merchandise far from the curated showcase of authentic, traditional Irish crafts, food, and culture.
What to do instead: Ballinasloe Horse Fair is often considered one of the oldest livestock fairs in Europe. Rooted in the festive traditions of Ireland’s past, this fair takes place every October and attracts the international equestrian community. It offers a more authentic glimpse into Irish culture, with its street markets, traditional music sessions, and livestock deals sealed with old-fashioned handshakes.
4. Electric Picnic – the Coachella of the Emerald Island
Considered Ireland’s largest festival of music and arts, the Electric Picnic can be compared to the Coachella of the Emerald Island. Every summer, by the end of August, the festival gathers thousands of visitors in Stradbally, County Laois. In 2024, the festival drew around 75,000 attendees.
While hosting world-renowned bands, this packed event comes with exorbitant prices. In addition to the standard admission price, on-site costs are considerable, due to the strong presence of brands, which contributes to the gentrification of the event.
What to do instead: If you’re looking for a music festival, head to the AVA Festivalin Belfast, a must-visit destination for fans of electronic music at the end of May. This event is a real treat for the ears and the eyes, as it showcases both audio and visual art at a much more affordable price.
3. Galway International Arts Festival – Ireland’s premier overcrowded cultural event
Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF) is Ireland’s premier cultural event, happening for 2 weeks in July every year.
Drawing about 400,000 attendees yearly over the last three years, the festival could actually be worth it; however, the surge in visitors significantly drives up accommodation prices, and the city can become extremely crowded during the festival period.
What to do instead: The Earagail Arts Festival, in County Donegal, is a bilingual festival (English and Irish) that takes place every year in the same month as the GIAF. It promises high-quality arts experiences faithful to Irish culture, featuring incredible theater, musical, and visual arts performances, with breathing room and dramatic coastal backdrops. To top it all off, the event is also committed to being as accessible as possible.
2. TradFest Temple Bar – a tourist-trap tradition
Tradfest Temple Bar takes place in Dublin every year in January. Considered a major showcase for traditional Irish music, the event attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Conveniently located in the district of Temple Bar, where pubs are known for serving tourist-trap pints, its prices and crowds are driving away the very community that keeps this musical genre alive throughout the year.
What to do instead: For a more authentic experience, Kilkenny Tradfest features world-renowned musicians in a stunning medieval town. With generally lower costs and a strong local atmosphere, this tiny Irish city is about to become a massive tourist hit.
1. Dublin Saint Patrick’s Day parade – once in a lifetime festival
The Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin is a global phenomenon. At the heart of the celebrations on 17 March, this parade is an unmissable event that every Irish person should experience at least once in their lifetime.
However, once again the event’s reputation attracts roughly 500,000 people each year, bringing tourists from all over the world. While the parade itself is a must-do once in a lifetime, you’ll realise that any alternative out of the capital is just as good, if not arguably better.
What to do instead: Smaller towns’ celebrations, such as Saint Patrick’s Day in Dingle, County Kerry, are a good alternative. The event kicks off with a parade led by the ‘Fife and Drum Band’; it is a fine example of a community-organised event, which lies at the very heart of Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Instead of heading to these high-profile festivals, opt for a local, less crowded alternative that will offer you a more authentic and more likely higher-quality experience.
