JANUARY
Yeats 2015
All year
A national celebration of the life and work of the Nobel prize-winning poet, with an extensive programme of new works and affiliated events. yeats2015.com
Out to Lunch
2nd-25th
Feeling the cold? Head north for enough poetry, philosophy, stand-up and string quartets to warm the cockles of the chilliest heart. This wide-ranging Belfast festival celebrates its 10th birthday in 2015. 028-90232403, cqaf.com
Music for Galway Midwinter
16th-18th
Soundtracks for Superpowers is the theme as the chamber music of Haydn and Shostakovich is highlighted over three days in Galway city. 091-569777, musicforgalway.ie
Temple Bar Tradfest
28th- Feb 1st
This year's feast of trad in the heart of Dublin city is a blend of flavours old and new, with music to whet all appetites: Hothouse Flowers, Cara Dillon, Danu, Liam O'Flynn, Matt Molloy and Arty McGlynn, L'Air du Temps and Marc O'Reilly & and Hard Ground. tickets.ie, templebartrad.com
Digital Biscuit
28th-30th
The future of film and technology is at the centre of the third Digital Biscuit forum, to be held at the Science Gallery in Dublin. Speakers will include director and screenwriter Michel Gondry of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind fame and Bruno Delbonnel, cinematographer for Amelie and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. There'll also be demos and exhibits of the latest gadgets and gizmos, not least a 20-minute virtual reality, multi-dimensional installation for Oculus Rift, The Dog House. digitalbiscuit.ie
FEBRUARY
Feile na Tána
6th-8th
A new festival celebrating the best of Irish traditional music and culture, set in the beautiful village of Carlingford, Co Louth. With Seamus Begley, Donogh Hennesy, Zoe Conway and Mary Bergin. feilenatana.com
Cork Spring
11th-14th
Women poets make a particularly strong showing in 2015's helping of poetry by the Lee, with readings from Lavinia Greenlaw, Enda Wyley, Liz Berry and Martina Evans, as well as workshops, prizes and book launches. 021-4312955, corkpoetryfest.net
The Gathering
18th-22nd
The Gathering rides again at the Gleneagles Hotel in Killarney. Gigs and masterclasses with Matt Cranitch, Cathy Jordan, Seán Keane and John Spillane. 064-6671550, thegathering.ie
Clonakilty International Games
20th-22nd
Everything the serious – or not-so-serious – gamer could require, from Backgammon to Boil Your Head, game-making workshops; there's even a Where's Wally extravaganza. Plus good food and glorious surroundings. 089-4352675, clonakiltygamesfestival.com
Waterford New Music Week
23rd-29th
Celebrating and promoting contemporary music for all ages, with free daytime events. garterlane.ie
Tedfest
26th-March 1st
Inis Mór becomes Craggy Island for a weekend of Father Ted-related madness. tedfest.org
MARCH
Belfast Nashville
4th-8th
Andy Fairweather Low & the Low Riders and Foy Vance top the bill at Belfast's celebration of all things country. 028-90246609, belfastnashville.com
What? . . . Wow
6th-7th
Nine ensembles, six gigs, five premieres, two days . . . and music by Brian Eno, John Luther Adam and Linda Buckley. The festival formerly known as New Music Dublin gets a new look for 2015. nch.ie
Ennis Book Club Festival
6th-8th
Page-turning heaven in Co Clare. 087-9723647, ennisbookclubfestival.com
Dingle International Film Festival
12th-15th
Boutique film festival on the Wild Atlantic Way. 087-9139962, dinglefilmfestival.com
St Patrick’s Festival
14th-17th
Funfairs, street theatre, live gigs, a craft beer and food market, a floating cinema on Grand Canal Dock – and parades galore all around the country. Plus buildings, from Ennis Friary to Kilkenny Castle, will turn green to celebrate our national saint's day. 01-6763205, stpatricksfestival.ie
Silk Road Film Festival
18th-22nd
Dublin festival with a focus on Asian, Arab, Persian, Middle Eastern, African and European cinema. 087-6765662, silkroadfilmfestival.com
Mountains to the Sea
March 18th-22nd
Making a big move from its annual autumn slot to new dates in early spring, Dún Laoghaire's seaside literary festival aims to blossom anew in 2015. 01-2719532, mountainstosea.ie
Jameson Dublin Film Festival
19th-29th
Here's looking at 11 days – and nights – of big-screen activity as our capital city becomes a movie mecca. Already announced are premieres of The Price of Desire, an Eileen Gray biopic starring Alanis Morissette, Vincnt Perez and Orla Brady, and Alan Rickman's period drama A Little Chaos, with Kate Winslet. Plus the playwright and director David Hare in person. 01-6624260, jdiff.com
APRIL
One City One Book
All month
Roddy Doyle's Barrytown Trilogy – The Commitments, The Snapper and The Van – has been chosen as Dublin's favourite read for next year. Expect high jinks to break out all over town with a series of associated events throughout the month. 01-6744809, dublincityonebook.ie
Phaseone
4th-5th
Now entering its third year, this festival assembles a host of Irish and international electronic musicians, visual artists and film-makers at The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon for a celebration of all things that go bleep in the night. phaseonefestival.com
Cork Tango Festival
9th-12th
Cork City Hall becomes Tango Central for one flamboyant weekend. 087-2627887, corktangofestival.com
Cúirt
21st-27th
Poetry and plenty more at Galway's annual festival of literature. cuirt.ie
Dublin Greek Film Festival
23rd-26th
Explore Hellenic culture through features, short films and documentaries along with special events, such as a dance workshop, at the inaugural Greek film festival. greekfilmfestival.ie
Cork International Choral Festival
29th-May 3rd
Choirs from all over Europe compete for the top prizes, and there's an exciting programme of concerts to boot, from baroque madrigals through medieval music to a gala gig with Carmina Slovenica. 021-4215125, corkchoral.ie
Drogheda Arts Festival
28th-May 4th
From ambient music in secret locations to Boyne Valley treasure tours, this Louth festival makes the most of its historic location. 041-9803311, droghedaartsfestival.ie
Féile na Bealtaine
29th-May 4th
Bilingual festival which aims to showcase the culture of the Dingle Peninsula. 087-7994488, feilenabealtine.ie
Cathedral Quarter
30th-May 10th
Cultural revelry all day and into the wee hours on the streets of Belfast. 028-90232403, cqaf.com
MAY
Bealtaine
All month
Month-long, countrywide celebration of creativity which brings first-time and professional artists together to make new and challenging work. 01-8057709, ageandopportunity.ie
Shannon Blueway Adventure Festival
1st-3rd
Want to get away from it all over the bank holiday weekend? Paddle your own canoe along the brand-new Shannon Blueway: and if kayaking, cycling, horse-riding and trail-running don't float your boat, there'll be a carnival along the riverbank and at the marina in Leitrim village, with music and live entertainment. waterwaysireland.org
Music in Drumcliffe
1st-4th
The tranquil surroundings of Yeats country form a serene backdrop to a stimulating weekend of chamber music hosted by the Vogler Quartet. musicindrumcliffe.ie
Galway Early Music Festival
14th-17th
Time as the basis of music, and early music as time travel, is the intriguing theme for next year's festival. 087-9305506, galwayearlymusic.com
Barrow River Arts Festival
15th-17th
Bach cantatas to Barry McGovern reading Joyce and Flann O'Brien: all in the graceful surroundings of Borris House, Co Carlow. 086-1777017, barrowriverartsfestival.com
Dublin Writers’ Festival
16th-24th
Last year we had wonderful Tim Winton and magnificent Pauline McGlynn – to name but two – as part of this capital celebration of all things bookish. The full programme will be announced in April. 01-2225455, dublinwritersfestival.com
Fleadh Nua
17th-25th
The traditional world revolves around Ennis, Co Clare, for this annual gathering of musicians from Ireland and the world. 065-6824276, fleadhnua.com
Dublin Dance Festival
19th-30th
Next year's feast of dance will include three shows at the Abbey: cool contemporary choreography from Berlin-based Meg Stuart and her company Damaged Goods, award-winning flamenco from Israel Galvan and Liz Roche's new piece, the first ever to be commissioned for the main Abbey stage from an Irish choreographer. 01-6790524, dublindancefestival.ie
Conamara Bog Week
22nd-June 1st
Concerts at Kylemore Abbey and in Letterfrack Church, guided walks in the national park, bog paintings and family events: the 30th Conamara Bog Week festival aims to get everyone out and about in our precious wetland habitat. 085-1154629, ceecc.org
Listowel Writers’ Week
27th-31st
Discussion and debate from a jaw-dropping assembly of visiting authors at the 44th edition of the venerable Co Kerry literary festival. 068-21074, writersweek.ie
Rory Gallagher Tribute Festival
28th-31st
Some 10,000 devotees from 30 countries are expected at the Big Top in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, for the annual celebration of the guitarist's life and work. rorygallagherfestival.com
Sky Cat Laughs
28th-June 1st
Weekend of comedy brings the best of Irish and international stand-up talent to Kilkenny. 056-7763837, thecatlaughs.com
Éigse Carlow
29th-June 7th
The 2015 programme will range from Dancing at Lughnasa to a three-day carnival packed with food stalls, pop-up galleries, and street theatre. 059-9173381, carlowartsfestivalcom
JUNE
Clonmel Junction
3rd-12th
Circus, music, dance and spectacle by the Suir. 052-6129339, junctionfestival.com
Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas
5th-7th
One of our newest literary festivals gathers writers and thinkers for a weekend of dialogue and debate in the lovely surroundings of Borris House, Co Carlow. 059-9173381, festivalofwritingandideas.com
Irish Aerial Dance Festival
6th-20th
"Anyone can fly," according to the organisers of this high-flying festival, organised by Fidget Feet in Letterkenny – so why not fly to Donegal and take off? 087-9887530, irishaerialdancefest.com
Live at the Marquee
8th-July 14th
Riverdance, Christy Moore, The Coronas, ZZ Top, Nathan Carter and Dara Ó Briain are among the names already confirmed for this year's Marquee by the Lee sessions. 01-7755800
Immrama
11th-14th
Travel-writing festival based in Lismore, Co Waterford. With Paul Theroux, Simon Winchester and Charlie Connolly. 058-53803, lismoreimmrama.com
Bloomsday
16th
Straw boaters and striped jackets at the ready for the annual outbreak of Edwardian costumes, readings, performances, re-enactments and kidney breakfasts as Dublin celebrates its favourite fictional son, the antihero of Joyce's Ulysses, Leopold Bloom. 01-8788547, jamesjoyce.ie
Cork Midsummer
18th-22nd
Unique events in unexpected places is the motto of this explosion of events on the banks of the Lee. 021-4215131, corkmidsummer.com
Body and Soul
19th-21st
Starlit sessions, music-filled yurts, poetry by candlelight and lots more . . . celebrate the summer solstice in style at the perfectly-formed boutique festival at Ballinlough Castle, Co Westmeath. Families are welcome; there's even a special kids' area. bodyandsoul.ie
Sea Sessions
19th-21st
Sound waves and real waves collide in the seaside town of Bundoran, Co Donegal, for three action-packed days of surfing, skating and music. seassessions.com
Killarney Festival of Music and Food
27th-28th
The festival formerly known as Westport has upped sticks, rebranded and moved to Co Kerry. Seriously. Well, you couldn’t make it up, could you?
Drogheda Samba Festival
28th-30th
A three-day party of Latin and African music and dance, including the now-traditional five-hour, non-stop samba session on the main street. 041-9838332, droghedasamba.com
Hay Festival Kells
26th-28th
What do Jung Chang, Germaine Greer and Jeanette Winterson have in common? They've all brought their books – and themselves – to Kells for the Meath leg of the hugely successful literary festival based in Hay-on-Wye in Wales. 046-9240055, hayfestival.com
West Cork Chamber Music Festival
28th-July 4
This nine-day festival features 45 concerts with more than 100 top international chamber musicians. The venues are pretty spectacular, too, from the intimacy of St Brendan's Church, Bantry, to the elegance of Bantry House. 027-0527889, westcorkmusic.ie
JULY
Groove
4th-5th
Shortlisted for the best new festival in Europe award on its debut outing two years ago, Groove rocks the pristine grounds of Kilruddery House in Bray, Co Wicklow. groovefestival.ie
West Cork Literary Festival
12th-18th
With its lively selection of visiting writers and hugely popular week-long workshops, the West Cork Literary Festival provides the perfect excuse to visit Bantry. 027-527889, westcorkmusic.ie
Earagail Arts Festival
11th-25th
Two weeks of wild and wonderful collaborations on Ireland's spectacular and unspoiled north-western coast. The 2015 Earagail Arts Festival incorporates a four-day festival of world music as well as a bilingual multidisciplinary programme, Wild Atlantic World. 074-9168800, eaf.ie
Galway Arts Festival
13th-26th
There's something for everyone at Galway's summer outpouring of art. The 2015 programme will include visual art from influential French-American artist Louise Bourgeois and three theatrical co-productions, not least Samuel Beckett's rarely-performed Lessness, starring Olwen Fouéré. As a taster, the festival will hold an programme of discussion and debate, First Thought, in Connemara in April. 091-509700, galwayartsfestival.com
Longitude
17th-19th
Big gigs and great nights in Marlay Park. Watch for band announcements throughout January. longitude.ie
Sligo Jazz Project
21st-26th
A supergroup-in-residence is just one of the items on the agenda at the 10th slice of Sligo Jazz Project. Gigs, workshops and jam sessions will also be in full swing. 071-9157862, sligojazz.ie
Happy Days
23rd-August 3rd
Enniskillen is the focus for all things Beckett at the annual celebration of the writer's life and work. 028-66325000, happy-days-enniskillen.com
Knockanstockan
24th-25th
Peace, love and music among the gently wooded hills of the Blessington lakes: no wonder this lively little festival has become a favourite on the summer circuit. knockanstockan.ie
Indiependence
31st-August 2nd
Indie rock for the south-west is the order of the day for the bank holiday weekend at Mitchelstown, Co Cork. indiependencefestival.com
CastlePalooza
31st-August 2nd
They've had The Charlatans, Mercury Rev and Sister Sledge; it's a 17th-century castle surrounded by oak woods; and ticket holders get daily access to the castle, where there are art exhibitions and workshops and oodles of spa-type pampering. castlepalooza.com
Puck Fair
31st-August 2nd
Busking, dancing, singing and major merriment in Killorglin, Co Kerry – and the crowning of a goat to boot. What's not to love? 066-9762366, puckfair.ie
Spraoi
31st-August 2nd
It's no accident that this festival's name is the Irish word for exuberance: street theatre is at the heart of it, and alongside the annual parade, a programme of newly-commissioned work brings Waterford's historic city centre to joyous life. 051-841808, spraoi.com
AUGUST
Dublin Horse Show
5th-9th
Horse and lots more – fashion, live music, gourmet food – at the RDS in Ballsbridge. 01-6680866, dublinhorseshow.com
Feakle Music Festival
5th-10th
Workshops, sessions, talks, concerts, CD launches: every aspect of traditional music is explored in the Co Clare town in August. 061-924322, feaklefestival.ie
Kilkenny Arts Festival
7th-16th
Last year it was brilliant Beethoven and a church full of clouds: expect another bravura set of performances in theatre, dance, visual arts and music at Kilkenny in 2015. 056-7763663, kilkennyarts.ie
Masters of Tradition
19th-23rd
The annual festival of trad in west Cork, with Martin Hayes at the helm, sails serenely into late summer. 027-527889, westcorkmusic.ie
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
9th-16th
Two in a row for Sligo. which once again hosts the Fleadh Ceoil, bringing 10,000 musicians and 300,000 fans north-west for the annual outpouring of traditional virtuosity. 01-2800295, fleadhcheoil.ie
Rose of Tralee
14-18
The best Lovely Girls festival in the world, bar none. 066-7121322, roseoftralee.ie
SEPTEMBER
Electric Picnic
4th-6th
According to their Twitter feed, Belle & Sebastian are already signed up as headliners at the annual bash in Stradbally, Co Laois: expect many more top names to join them as details of the Picnic programme are released over the coming weeks. 081-8719300, electricpicnic.ie
Harvest Time Blues
4th-6th
Monaghan's annual serving of laid-back sounds at the Market House and the marquee. 047-38162, harvestblues.ie
Dublin Fringe Festival
4th-19th
Mayhem and madness as 10 days of theatre, dance, music and spectacle spread like wildfire across Dublin. 01-6706106, fringefest.com
National Ploughing Championships
22nd-24th
More than 279,000 people checked out last year's collection of sheepdog trials, craft villages, food fairs and exhibitions in Ratheniska, Co Laois. 059-8625125, npa.ie
Dublin Theatre Festival
24th-Oct 11th
Late September is theatre season in Dublin, with new plays and new productions from all over the world visiting our stages. Already confirmed is the National Theatre of Britain's production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. 01 -6778439, dublintheatrefestival.com
Clifden Arts Week
17th-27th
Community arts week provides locals and visitors alike with a wide range of readings, recitals, theatre and comedy, all in the spectacular surroundings of Connemara. 095-21878, clifdenartsweek.ie
Culture Night
18th
Countrywide event where arts practitioners, venues and organisations open their doors until late. Oodles of free family activities. culturenight.ie
New Ross Piano festival
26th-29th
Last year it was piano-plus-winds, but autumn always finds the winds of change blowing fresh sounds to this distinctive weekend of music in the Wexford town of New Ross. 051-421766, newrosspianofestival.com
OCTOBER
Baboro
10th-19th
Theatre, dance, literature, music and puppetry for children and families in Galway city and county. 091-562667, baboro.ie
Imagine Arts
15th-25th
Unusual events in interesting venues is the name of the game at this 10-day festival of history and heritage in and around Waterford city. 087-8536878, imagineartsfestival.com
Conamara Sea Week
16th-26th
Music and our marine heritage are celebrated with gigs, workshops, a poetry trail and family festivities culminating in a night-time procession through Letterfrack village. 085-1154629, ceecc.org
Galway Comedy Festival
20th-26th
Autumn in the spiegeltent is a smile-inducing affair: past visitors to the festival include Tommy Tiernan, Rich Hall, Des Bishop, Ardal O'Hanlon and many more. galwaycomedyfestival.com
Sligo Live
21st-26th
The Waterboys and Jools Holland lead the charge at the north-west's annual folk, roots and indie festival. sligolive.ie
Wexford Festival Opera
21st-Nov 1st
Delius, Mascagni and Herold are the composers whose works will be presented on the main stage at this year's edition of the boutique opera festival. 053-9122400, wexfordopera.com
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
23rd-26th
More than 1,000 musicians in dozens of performances at 70 venues citywide, with more than 95 per cent of the sessions free of entry charges. guinnessjazzfestival.com
NOVEMBER
Atlantic Sessions
12th-15th
A chance to be cosy on our stunning Northern coastline, with 40 free gigs around Portrush and Portstewart as well as some ticketed events at the Flowerfield Arts Centre. atlanticsessions.com
Sligo International Choral Festival
13th-15th
A dynamic selection of vocal music over a weekend of competitions and concerts. sligochoralfest.com
Ardee Baroque
14th-16th
The Irish Baroque Orchestra moves to Louth for a feast of sumptuous music.
Subtitle Kilkenny
23rd-29th
The cream of European cinema in snug venues across Kilkenny city. subtitlefest.com
DECEMBER
Other Voices
11th-13th
It wouldn't be December without dark evenings, decorations - and the annual pilgrimage to Dingle for the delightful panoply of music and song that is Other Voices. othervoices.ie
NYF Dublin
30th-January 1st
This year sees the creation of a three-day citywide festival to get us through to 2016 in grand style, with a countdown, a music trail, a procession of light and numerous free family-friendly events. If it works, it'll be back next year. nyfdublin.com
CAST A COLD EYE: YEATS CELEBRATED IN YEAR-LONG FESTIVAL
One of the 20th century’s blatantly greatest poets – or a blatantly underutilised resource in Irish cultural tourism? Whatever your feelings about William Butler Yeats, it’s going to be hard to avoid him as Yeats 2015 gets under way. Twelve months of readings, plays, exhibitions, lectures, new music, screenings and dance will mark 150 years since the birth of the Nobel prize-winning poet on June 13th, 1865.
“It’s the first time Ireland has celebrated an individual in this way,” says Yeats 2015 project director Lisa Hallinan. “And the fact that we’re hoping to celebrate it by celebrating the arts and culture in Ireland can only be a good thing.”
Yeats’s adopted county of Sligo will be at the centre of the action, but the Yeats roadshow will turn up just about everywhere in the country and beyond, culminating in a great outburst of Yeats-related activity on Yeats Day, June 13th.
The programme is huge and diverse. Highlights include an exhibition of Yeats paintings at the National Gallery, a weekend of music and poetry curated by Thomas Bartlett and Paul Muldoon at the National Concert Hall, a series of special gigs at the National Library's long-running Yeats exhibition and a new dance piece by Liz Roche at the Abbey. In Sligo, there'll be a festival of Yeats theatre, both outdoor and indoor, from Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, as well as the Tread Softly festival in August. The Yeats summer school will be preceded by a Yeats winter school. There'll be music at Coole Park in Gort, Co Galway, and a literary reassessment of Yeats at UCD.
If you can't wait for any of that, you can go on the website right now, and record yourself reading a slice of Yeats for their online audio archive; or you can go to Hargadon's pub in Sligo, where a poem will be read at 1pm daily all year. yeats2015.com
SIX OF THE BEST: FROM BEATBOX TO BOGS
- Out to Lunch From beatboxer Shlomo to kilted comedian Craig Hill, Belfast lights up for January with this cheerful profusion of lunchtime comedy, drama and music. Plus, on the feast of the Epiphany, a screening of John Huston's film The Dead – complete with a Joycean meal which will include roast goose, blancmange, toasted almonds and sherry. Yum? January 2nd-25th
- What? . . . Wow If you've never witnessed Bang on a Can's spectacular eight-hour marathon of works by Irish and international composers, get the date into your diary right now. Two days of dynamic new music at the National Concert Hall. March 6th-7th
- Mountains to the Sea Will its move from autumn to a new springtime slot be a success for the south Dublin literary festival? We hope so. It has always been an uncommonly civilised event in the past. March 18th-22nd
- Conamara Bog Week We're finally waking up to the cultural value of our bogs and wetlands. Festivals such as this one play their part by bringing all sorts of artistic activities to these soggy surroundings. May 22nd-June 1st
- Festival of Writing and Ideas The annual weekend of dialogue and discussion at Borris House in Co Carlow has been extended to include a "non-fiction Friday". It has made a name for itself through eclectic, provocative combinations of speakers – but the seductive surroundings of the Barrow valley are also a big draw. June 5th-7th
- Earagail Arts Festival Three festivals for the price of one is the story in Donegal this year as the Earagail festival introduces a folk and roots strand as well as a series of unusual musical collaborations, Wild Atlantic World. And we don't have to tell you how spectacular it is up there. Do we? July 11th-26th
