August Event Guide with The Plaza Group 

August will be a busy month on Irish roads! On top of heavy tourism, we’re expecting to see a lot of cars, buses and other vehicles on the roads for music festivals, GAA matches and many more events. 

Check out all the events happening around the country below, and if you’re heading to any of them we hope to see you in to one of our Plaza rest-stops around the country on your way. 

29th July – 4th August 

• 29th July – 4th August: Galway races 29th, Galway (www.galwayraces.com)
  One of the largest horseracing events in Ireland, the Galway Races takes place over a seven day period in Ballybrit Racecourse, County Galway.
• 2nd August: Renault GAA World Games Final, Croke Park, Dublin (www.gaa.ie/worldgames)
  The GAA World Games is a global tournament featuring teams from all over the world, who travel to Ireland to compete in traditional Irish sports.
• 2nd – 4th August: All Together Now, Curraghmore Estate, Waterford (www.alltogethernow.ie)
  All Together Now is a music festival taking place in Waterford, with performances from The National, Bombay Bicycle Club, Patti Smith and many more.
• 2nd – 5th August: Indiependence, Mitchelstown, Cork (www.indiependencefestival.ie)
  Headliners for Indiependence music festival include Bastille, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and Biffy Clyro
• 3rd – 4th August: Mayo v Donegal, Gaelic Football, Machale Park, Castlebar 
• 3rd – 4th August: Meath v Kerry, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, Co Meath 
• 3rd – 4th August: Cork v Roscommon, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Co Cork 
• 3rd – 4th August: Tyrone v Dublin, Healy Park, Omagh

5th – 11th August 

• 5th: Birr Air Display, Birr, Co Offaly  (www.birrairdisplay.com)
  Right in the centre of the country, Birr Air Display will give spectators spectacular views of planes taking off, landing, and performing beautiful aerial displays.
• 5th: Tinehely Agricultural Show, Tinahely, Co Wicklow (www.tinahelyshow.ie)
  A fantastic family day out, celebrating Ireland rich agricultural heritage.
• 5th: Ballymore Country Music Festival, Mullingar, Co Westmeath (www.ballymorecountrymusicfestival.com)
  A can’t-miss event for country music lovers!
• 5th – 10th: Ulster Grand Prix, Antrim (www.ulstergrandprix.net)
  An exciting high-speed 7.3 mile motorcycle race, taking place on Dundrod Circuit.
• 7th – 11th: Dublin Horse Show, RDS, Dublin (www.dublinhorseshow.com)
  One of the biggest equestrian events in the Irish calendar
  
• 7th – 10th: Galway Cup, Galway (www.galwaycup.com)
  One of the leading underage soccer tournaments in Europe, the Galway Cup sees young soccer players gather in the beautiful West of Ireland to showcase their skills.
• 8th – 11th: Sligo Summer Festival, Sligo (www.sligosummerfestival.ie)
  A community festival taking place in Sligo Town Centre, Sligo Summerfest is a fun music event for people of all ages.
• 10th – 11th: Schull Regatta, Schull, Co Cork (http://www.schull.ie/events/schull-regatta-festival/)
  A fantastic weekend of seaside fun, the Schull Regatta is packed full of fun both on the land and the water.
• 10th – 11th: All Ireland Gaelic Football Semi-Finals, Croke Park
  Who will be crowned the All Ireland Gaelic Football Champions of 2019?
• 10th – 11th August: Dublin Comic Con, Convention Centre Dublin (www.dublincomiccon.com)
  Taking place in the Convention Centre Dublin, Dublin Comic Con is Ireland’s largest pop-culture event.
• 11th – 18th: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Drogheda, Co Louth (www.fleadhcheoil.ie)
  Not to be missed if you’re a trad music fan! Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the biggest event of the year for traditional Irish music players and fans alike.
• 11th: Fun on the Farm, Tipp Town Plaza (https://www.facebook.com/events/410286503026676/)
  Showcasing a fun and safe approach to farming for kids of all ages, this is a family fun day not to be missed!

12th – 18th August 

• 11th – 18th: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Drogheda, Co Louth (www.fleadhcheoil.ie)
  Not to be missed if you’re a trad music fan! Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the biggest event of the year for traditional Irish music players and fans alike.
• 12th – 18th: Galway Pride Festival, Galway (www.galwaypride.com)
  A week of events, parades, games and excitement, celebrating the LGBTQ community in Galway.
• 15th – 24th: Belmullet Gala Festival, Belmullet, Co Mayo (www.belmulletfestival.ie)
  Offering locally produced food, live music, a funfair, arts and crafts and so much more, Belmullet Gala Festival has something for everyone.
  
• 15th – 18th: Extreme North Quadrathon Challenge, Greencastle, Co Donegal (www.extremenorthevents.com)
  Offering spectacular scenery and camaraderie, this is a running race like no other.
• 16th – 18th August: Another Love Story Fest, Killyon Manor, Co Meath (www.anotherlovestory.ie)
  A fantastic weekend of music, socialising and more.
• 17th – 18th: Dublin City Triathlon, Phoenix Park, Dublin (https://www.dublincitytriathlon.com/)
  Some of the country’s fittest athletes will take on the triathlon challenge in Dublin’s City Centre.
• 17th – 18th: Love Sensation, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Co Dublin (www.lovesensation.ie)
  A music festival you’re sure to love
  
• 18th: All Ireland Hurling Final, Croke Park
  Who will be crowned the All Ireland Hurling Champions for 2019?
• 18th – 19th: Taste of Kildare, K Club, Co Kildare
  Sample food from some of the country’s leading restaurants, in the beautiful grounds of the prestigious K Club. 

19th – 25th August 

• 18th – 19th: Taste of Kildare, K Club, Co Kildare
  Sample food from some of the country’s leading restaurants, in the beautiful grounds of the prestigious K Club.
• 19th & 24th: Belfast Vital Festival, Ormeau Park, Belfast (https://www.facebook.com/BelfastVital/)
  A fantastic music festival held in Belfast’s Ormeau Park.
• 21st: Foo Fighters, RDS 
• 22nd: Post Malone, RDS 
• 23rd – 27th: Rose of Tralee, Tralee, Co Kerry (www.roseoftralee.ie)
  One of the most well-known events taking place in Kerry every year. Who will be crowned this year’s Rose of Tralee?
  
• 24th: Letterkenny Busking Festival, Letterkenny, Co Donegal (https://www.facebook.com/letterkennybuskingfestival/)
  Attracting artists from near and far, Letterkenny Busking Festival brings a great atmosphere to the area.
• 25th: Dualla Show, Cashel, Co Tipperary (www.duallashow.ie)
  With free children’s entertainment, as well as events and surprises for all ages, the Dualla Show is a must for families.
• 25th: Belfast Mela, Botanical Gardens, Belfast (http://www.belfastmela.org.uk/)
  Celebrating cultures from all over the world, Belfast Mela is a fantastic event celebrating diversity. 

26th August – 1st September 

• 23rd – 27th: Rose of Tralee, Tralee, Co Kerry (www.roseoftralee.com)
  One of the most well-known events taking place in Kerry every year. Who will be crowned this year’s Rose of Tralee?
• 23rd – 25th: A Taste of Donegal Food Festival, Donegal Town (https://www.atasteofdonegal.com/)
  Taking place in beautiful Donegal Town, A Taste of Donegal is a must for all food-lovers.
• 25th: Kinnegad Plaza Official Opening
  Join us at the Kinnegad Plaza for a fun-filled day out for all the family, celebrating the latest addition to the Plaza Group.
• 30th August – 1st Sept: Electric Picnic, Stradbally, Laois (https://www.electricpicnic.ie/)
  One of the leading music and arts festivals in the country, Electric Picnic will once again take over Stradbally for a music-filled weekend at the end of the summer.
• 30th – 29th Sept: Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, Co Clare (https://www.matchmakerireland.com/)
  The largest singles event in Europe, Lisdoonvarna is famous for its annual matchmaking festival!