Smock Alley

The 142nd Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show, which takes place from 5 - 9 August at the RDS, Ballsbridge, promises something for all. Along with over 1500 horses on show, a prize fund of almost €1 million and the most glamourous Ladies’ Day in the land, visitors will also have the chance to sample some of the best food and shopping opportunities of the summer.

Museum & guided tours

The importance of being earnest

Culture vultures will have much to feast upon at this year’s Kilkenny Arts Festival, which takes place 7 - 16 August. Incredible artists from all over the globe will come to Ireland’s medieval city for landmark concerts, unique collaborations and artistic adventures, making this a memorable ten day event that is not to be missed.

The spotlight will be on Ireland’s Industrial Heritage from 22 - 30 August for National Heritage Week 2015.

The beautiful city and county of Waterford has so much to offer visitors all year round. From the world famous Waterford Crystal, to coastal walks, the 17th century walled garden in Lismore Castle, the Suir Valley Railway and a range of great festivals, Waterford has something for every visitor to enjoy. It is also Ireland’s oldest city, having been founded by Vikings from Norway over 1100 years ago. This Viking heritage is just waiting to be explored at the Waterford Viking Triangle.

Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting visitors to Munster ever since. People come from all over the world to kiss the Blarney Stone, only to leave with miraculous powers of eloquence.

Masters of Tradition is held every August in the West Cork town of Bantry. This year’s festival takes place from 19 - 23rd August and covers the full spectrum of Irish music. There’s a host of big names set to take part, including Thomas Bartlett from The Gloaming, New York clarinettist Doug Wieselman, American quartet Brooklyn Rider, Dervish’s Cathy Jordan, Steve Cooney, Seamus Begley and Liam Ó’Maonlaí to name but a few.

Walking around Waterville in Co. Kerry, you won’t be surprised to see a statue of its most famous son, the legendary Kerry GAA player and manager Mick O’Dwyer. What might surprise you is that there is also a statue of Charlie Chaplin in the town. In fact, it shouldn’t be all that surprising. Chaplin, his wife Oonagh and their children first visited Waterville in the 1960’s and fell in love with the extraordinary beauty of the town, regularly returning there on holidays for many years. This association with Waterville is celebrated with the Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival which runs from 20 - 23 August.

Fashionistas, fine fillies and fantastic hurlers gather for Tramore August Racing Festival.

Now in its sixth year, Cork Craft Month, which runs from 4th August to 5th September, has become a haven for celebrating creativity, and is one of the key events taking place in Ireland for the Irish Year of Irish Design.