Dublin Theatre Festival!

Bringing artists, theatre-makers and audiences from Ireland and all over the world together, the Dublin Theatre Festival takes place from 24th September to the 11th of October. The festival has been running since 1957 with a programme that incorporates theatre, music, dance and family events. There’s classic drama by celebrated companies through to work from exciting up and coming theatre makers from home and abroad to be enjoyed in venues across a city that has a long and proud theatrical tradition. With a wide range of tastes catered for, there is so much to enjoy at this year’s Dublin Theatre Festival.

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the Master of the Universe and a true one-off; Aidan Walsh is the type of character that only Ireland could produce. There aren’t many people who can say that they were signed to a record deal on the back of a three minute performance, ran in the General Election and were the subject of a documentary but these are all milestones that Aidan has achieved during his colourful life.

The Liberties is one of the most historic areas in Dublin and is home to some of the city’s top attractions. One of the best attractions that can be found in the area is Dublin’s Art & Antiques Quarter on Francis Street. It may take a while for visitors with an interest in culture, arts and antiques to make their way up this venerable street, as every shop and gallery has a unique character that is waiting to be explored.

Waterford’s Food Heroes will be celebrated at the 7th annual Waterford Harvest Festival, which runs from 11th to 13th of September. The city’s main thoroughfares will be transformed into a smorgasboard of flavours, aromas and heritage where visitors can enjoy festival markets, harvest kitchens, wine appreciation classes, junior food craft classes, celebrity cooking demonstrations and a whole lot more.

The second Ballina Food Fleadh, which takes place on 26th and 27th of September, brings together leading artisan food producers and internationally renowned chefs. Mayo has seen a surge in modern and traditional cooking in recent years and the event organisers promise an even bigger and better programme after the success of the inaugural event last year.

There’s an old Irish saying on the signs outside An Canteen Restaurant in Dingle. It reads ‘Ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid’ and means ‘In each other’s shadows, we’ll survive’. It’s a maxim that brothers Niall and Brian Ó’Conchúir have been determined to adhere to since opening the restaurant in 2008. As Ireland slumped into recession that year, Niall and Brian decided to create something and help their own community. “We decided, because of the recession, that we’d try and support as many small little businesses as we could,” Niall says of their decision to open a restaurant that focuses on hearty, comforting, locally sourced food.

The beautiful town of Cobh in Co. Cork will become a haven for the blues from 18th to 20th September for the 9th annual Cobh Blues Festival. A host of national and international musicians will play in a range of indoor and outdoor venues, including many of the town’s pubs and hotels, as well as the bandstand in the promenade by the waterfront; the perfect open-air setting for some acoustic blues. The promenade will also host a Family Fun afternoon on Saturday 19th of September at 2.30pm, with a range of events to keep the kids entertained and music provided by the Cobh Blues Club along with some special guests.

From the Beara Peninsula to Bandon, the 12th A Taste of West Cork Festival unites 32 towns and villages and eight islands in a celebration of food from the 4th to the 13th of September. The impressive line-up of almost 140 events includes cookery workshops, formal and informal dinners, interactive food demonstrations, two conferences, awards ceremonies, historical events and farm visits all showcasing the best of West Cork food produce.

NRoss in County Wexford becomes the home of the piano this month for the 10th annual New Ross Piano Festival, which takes place from 24th to 27th of September. This excellent festival is a chance to get up close and personal with some of the best international piano players around, as well as maybe having a go yourself. The festival is high on quality but also very friendly and informal, making the piano accessible to all.

All roads lead to Dingle for lovers of traditional music this September. The fifth annual Dingle Tradfest takes place from 10th to 13th September with a series of concerts, themed session trails, busking competitions and outdoor events, including a mountain hike and session on Cnoc a’ Cairn to be enjoyed. Dingle Tradfest promotes traditional music in an innovative way and is well worth a visit for those with an interest in Irish traditional music.

Excite your senses at the re-imagined Gobbins Cliff Path. The stunning coastal cliff path walk, in Islandmagee, re-opened this week to much critical acclaim from early visitors.