Chief O’Neill Traditional Music Festival
The celebration of traditional music legend Chief O'Neill takes places in Bantry, West Cork until Sunday, November 16th. This festival of workshops, performances and sessions highlights the achievements of Francis O'Neill, the Irish-born American police officer who played an invaluable role in building a unique collection of Irish traditional music tunes. Music sessions will take place at venues around Bantry over the weekend including Ma Murphy's Forge on Saturday night and The Mariner on Sunday afternoon.
Most events are free and ticketed events range from €6-€10.
[ chiefoneillfestival.com Opens in new window ]
The Dublin Book Festival
The annual Dublin Book Festival is taking place in the Smock Alley Theatre in Temple Bar and runs until Sunday, November 16th. The literary festival will hold a wide range of events including walking tours on Saturday and Sunday dedicated to writers and books written in or inspired by Dublin led by historian Pat Liddy. On Saturday afternoon Anna Heussaff and Antain Mac Lochlainn will lead a discussion entitled 'Idir Theangacha/Between Languages', while on Sunday Myles Dungan and Turtle Bunbury will discuss 'The Irish Who Went To War'.
Tickets: €3-€12. Some events are free.
[ dublinbookfestival.comOpens in new window ]
Cashel Arts Festival
It's the final weekend of the Cashel Arts Festival with workshops, music and dance performances, visual art exhibitions and debates taking place till Sunday. On Saturday evening songwriter Jimmy MacCarthy will perform at the Brú Ború as part of his Prophecy/Conspiracy tour and on Sunday afternoon Nóirín Ní Riain and Moley Ó Suilleabháin will lead a music workshop with Cashel Arts Festival choir in the Church of Ireland Cathedral. The weekend also includes an outreach programme at the Create Café with workshops for local community groups each morning.
Tickets: €3-€20
[ cashelartsfest.com Opens in new window ]
Craft & Design Festival at Ballymaloe
The Craft & Design Festival returns to Ballymaloe for its fifth year from November 15th-16th. The festival runs at Ballymaloe estate from 10am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday showcasing more than 100 stands where visitors can explore pottery, jewellery, wood turning, paper crafts, children's toys and knitted textiles. There will also be a wide variety of hot food stands with a seating area available for visitors.
Admission is free.
[ ballymaloe.ie/events/craft-design-festival-ballymaloeOpens in new window ]
Ardee Baroque Festival
Ireland's only orchestral baroque music festival takes place this weekend in Ardee in partnership with the Irish Baroque Orchestra. The orchestra will open the weekend with a concert in the Church of St Mary's playing the Overture from Saul by Handel and Suite from Les Paladins by Rameau. On Saturday morning musicians will hold a 'Meet the Instruments' workshop in the Ardee Library where young people will get the chance to listen to and interact with the players. On Saturday evening the Dunedin Consort will make their Irish debut at the Collon Church, performing a programme entitled 'Bach's Motets and his Forefathers'.
Tickets available on 087 6115679
[ createlouth.ie/ardeebaroque Opens in new window ]
The Rolling Sun Book Festival
The quirky boutique Rolling Sun Book Festival runs until Sunday, November 16th in Westport, Co Mayo. Set in the shadow of Croagh Patrick, a varied collection of speakers will gather to discuss the many layers of Irish culture. On Saturday afternoon Hilary Fannin, Michele Forbes and Rachael English will talk about their writing careers at the Clew Bay Hotel. The Saturday evening discussion, 'From Brehon Laws to Bra Burning', will feature Nell McCafferty, Eamon Ryan and Anne Chambers in conversation with Eamon Smith at the Wyatt Hotel. Sunday Miscellany will be recorded live from the festival at noon on RTÉ Radio 1.
Tickets: €8-€15. Some events are free.
