Galway International Arts Festival, West Cork Literary Festival, and the return of THISISPOPBABY’s RIOT are among the best events happening this July.
The Women’s Irish Open
3-6 July, Carton House, Fairmont, Kildare, more info here
Following the success of the 2024 tournament, which saw a record-breaking 37,000 spectators gather to witness world-class golf at the Ladies European Tour (LET) event, the return of the championship promises to be even bigger and better. This year’s beauty sponsor is Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter, which marks an exciting partnership first.
AurFest
4-5 July, Bellurgan Park, Dundalk, Louth, more info here
This two-day boutique music and comedy festival comes as an exciting new addition to Ireland’s summer festival calendar, and is a passionate, homegrown project led by a team of Dundalk-based creatives, with a strong focus on original Irish talent. The line-up includes Ispíní na hÉireann, Duke Special, Emma Doran, Negro Impacto, Jinx Lennon, The Gakk and more.
Kaleidoscope
4-6 July, Russborough House, Blessington, Wicklow, more info here
Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh is Ireland’s favourite family music camping festival, and they’re returning this year with an incredible mix of global names and homegrown talent appearing on the main stage, with hundreds of family-friendly activities happening across the grounds. From the Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food to headline performances from Texas, The Coronas and Hermitage Green, it’s set to be a weekend to remember.
Hibernacle
4-6 July, Orlagh House, Dublin, more info here
A brand new intimate three-day music event, this beautifully curated festival brings together a powerful mix of Ireland’s rising stars and seasoned favourites for a weekend of music, connection, and the joy of live music done right. Programme highlights include Pillow Queens, Lisa Hannigan, Ye Vagabonds, Wallis Bird, Ailbhe Reddy, Gráinne Hunt, and Áine Tyrrell.
The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh
From 4 July, Gate Theatre, Dublin, more info here
A totalitarian regime. A missing child. A killer on the loose. A writer is arrested when a series of murders, bearing a chilling resemblance to his own stories, come to light. As two detectives chase a confession, they discover a truth much stranger than fiction. Martin McDonagh’s savage tale is about the stories we tell to keep the monsters at bay, directed by Olivier Award and starring FRA FEE, recently seen in the BAFTA-nominated series Lost Boys.
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival
5-12 July, Sligo, more info here
Inspired by the creative energy of Ireland’s Northwest, Cairde Sligo Arts Festival is a unique coming together of artists and audiences. It is a celebration of imagination and shared experience that welcomes all. Programme highlights include a performance from Cormac Begley, poetry workshops and the incredible closing spectacle Ephemera by VolkiDána.
Galway Film Fleadh
8-13 July, Galway, more info here
The week-long international film festival provides a platform for the boldest new films, brings audiences and filmmakers from around the world together, and celebrates our shared passion for film. Highlights include 44 incredible Irish films, top picks of which include Jim Sheridan’s Re-Creation, a coming-of-age story with a twist, Ready or Not, and Spilt Milk with a post-screening panel discussion.
Music Production Workshop for Women
10 July, Dublin, more info here
Music Production for Women is running a one-off, three-hour music production workshop in partnership with Novation, Distrokid and Kilohearts that’s free to attend. It is designed to be a beginner-friendly session to encourage more women and gender minorities who have been interested in producing but do not know where to start, to take their first steps.
West Cork Literary Festival
11-18 July, Bantry, Cork, more info here
Now in their 27th year, West Cork Literary Festival’s 2025 programme features 110 authors across 95 events — their biggest offering to date. Some of the most exciting names (of which there are many) set to appear include Richard E. Grant, Graham Norton, Caoilinn Hughes and Sarah Maria Griffin.
Galway International Arts Festival
14-17 July, Galway, more info here
A true highlight of Galway’s festival calendar, the Arts Festival brings together an exciting mix of homegrown and international talent across theatre, music, visual art, and more. Music highlights include Natasha Beddingfield and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Mary Wallopers and Biig Piig, and top theatrical picks include Scorched Earth by Luke Murphy, Shakespeare’s Macbeth directed by Garry Hynes, and the once-in-a-lifetime, thrilling circus spectacular Sabotage.
RIOT
17-21 July, Vicar Street, Dublin, more info here
Following sold-out smash hit runs in Dublin, Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto and New York, THISISPOPBABY’s all-star RIOT squad is reforming for four glittering nights in Dublin’s Vicar Street. Join Emmet Kirwan, Panti Bliss, Up & Over It, Lords of Strut, and The Sirens as we meet at the barricades once again. Do not miss your chance to catch this legendary THISISPOPBABY classic.
Land and Lore: Farm to Fork Feast at Common Knowledge
25 July, The Common Knowledge Centre, Clare, more info here
A seasonal celebration of land, food, and the people who produce it, Land and Lore is a three-course dining experience rooted in seasonal cooking, regenerative agriculture, and the rich cultural traditions of the west of Ireland. Hosted in collaboration with acclaimed chef Ashley Gribben, this event will showcase ingredients sourced directly from local suppliers.
Irish Design Works
From 25 July, Ballymaloe Grainstore, Cork, more info here
Irish Design Works is an exhibition of contemporary work by a select group of Ireland’s top designers and makers hosted in the Ballymaloe Grainstore. Showcasing a mix of disciplines including furniture, ceramics, artisan rugs and knives, and sculptural works in wood and glass, you can enjoy exceptional craft and design, acquire a unique investment piece, or commission something bespoke.
Dancing At Lughnasa
Until 26 July, 3Olympia, Dublin, more info here
In the warmth of the Donegal harvest of 1936, the five Mundy sisters, Kate, Maggie, Rose, Agnes and Chris, love, survive, fight, and dance. This unforgettable summer brings the possibility of joy and love to these extraordinary, ordinary women. Brian Friel’s moving and heartwarming masterpiece about family, home and belonging continues to resonate with this acclaimed production, directed by Caroline Byrne.
Rosie O’Donnell: Common Knowledge
27 July, 3Olympia, Dublin, more info here
Now living in her newly adopted hometown of Dublin, Rosie reflects on the move, the culture shift, family life, and the humbling and hilarious realisation that maybe you don’t have it all figured out. Known for her razor wit and magnetic stage presence, Rosie’s career spans stand-up, hit films like A League of Their Own and Sleepless in Seattle, her groundbreaking daytime talk show, and a current star turn on HBO Max’s And Just Like That.
GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival
29 July – 4 August, IFI Dublin and Light House Cinema, Dublin, more info here
GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival has extended to a seven-day event for its 33rd edition, and you can expect to see big acting stars like Russell Tovey and Alan Cumming in a host of hot new LGBTQIA movies that you’ll see at GAZE first. This new programme is packed with a carefully handpicked selection of films from all around the world, including striking and sexy international features, eclectic Irish and international shorts, and a new strand of queer animation.
The Titanic Experience
All year round, Belfast, more info here
This is definitely a bucket list worthy experience. Discover the world-famous story through the eyes of those whose hard work and ambition built the Titanic with the world’s most authentic retelling. The self-guided tour extends over ten interactive galleries where you discover the sights, sounds, smells and stories of the ship, as well as the people and city that made her. Journey through boomtown Belfast and the shipyard where the liners were built, to the launch, fit out and maiden voyage, before discovering more about the sinking, aftermath, the quest to find Titanic and her final resting place.
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