January
New Year Celebrations
A dazzling fireworks display on the Dingle Marina welcomes in the New Year and then off to a pub for the ulitimate New Year celebration. Close to midnight, all locals and visitors converge at “The Bridge” for the begining of the countdown to the New Year.
February
Dingle Walking Festival
A walking festival for walking enthusiasts of all ages and levels the opportunity to experience Dingle Peninsula’s geological jewel first hand for themselves.
www.dinglewalkingfestival.com
Scoil Ceoil an Earraigh
A traditional music school held in Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula (Co. Kerry, Ireland) including singing and dancing workshops, concerts & sessions and much more…
www.scoilcheoil.com
March
St Patrick Day
The Dingle Fife and Drum Band herald the arrival of St. Patrick’s Day with a morning chorus parade around the town at 6.30pm and then lead colourful floats on the annual parade around Dingle Town.
Dingle Film Festival
Screenings, interviews with international film-makers, workshops and competition… Read more »
May
Féile na Bealtaine
Usually 1st week of May
Annual arts festival, featuring exhibitions, concerts, lectures and street entertainment
More details on the festival’s website: www.feilenabealtaine.ie
Béal Bán Horse Races
The annual Béal Bán Races are held on a beach beside Ballyferriter village just west of Dingle. Come and enjoy the races in a superior environment on the shore of Smerwick Harbour.
June
2nd Castlegregory Traditional Music and Setdancing Festival
Traditional Irish Music is known today throughout the world & in keeping with Irish tradition, we bring to you a celebration of the past, present & future of Ireland’s Music.
More details at www.dingleirish.com
Dingle Adventure Race
A one day Multi Activity Adventure Race consisting of Bike, Hike, Run and Kayak. The 30 mile/ 48km course will take you to some of the gems of the Dingle peninsula, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
www.dingleadventurerace.com/
July
Dingle Triathlon
The triathlon starts just west of Dingle on Ventry Beach.
Maharees Regatta
The Maharees Regatta annual naomhóg racing is held just north of Dingle Town in the scenic Scraggane Bay. The regatta attracts crews from counties Galway and Clare as well as local crews from all around the Dingle Peninsula.
Baile na nGall (Ballydavid) Regatta
Baile na nGall (Ballydavid) Regatta Regatta’s annual currach (naomhóg) racing is held just west of Dingle Town in this picturesque West Kerry Gaeltacht fishing village.
West Kerry Agricultural Show
West Kerry’s annual Agricultural Show takes place in Dingle Town. The agricultural show features cattle, sheep, and horses as well as arts, crafts, cookery displays and showjumping for children.
Castlegregory Summer Festival
A family orientated festival which celebrated its 63rd year in 2011.
August
Dingle Races
Early August
An annual horse racing event, a must on any calendar .
Read more at www.dingleraces.ie»
Féile Lios Póil
Féile Lios Póil (Lispole) is held just east of Dingle Town in the quaint village of Lispole. The festival features something for all ages, including arts, crafts, Irish dancing, a table quiz, a car treasure hunt, gaeilic football competitions, tug of war competitions, athletics and hill walking.
Brandon Regatta
The Brandon Regatta is held just north of Dingle Town in Brandon village. Brandon regatta is a series of traditional curragh (boat) races with many different categories. Contesting boat teams travel right up the west coast of the Dingle Peninsula. Winners and losers alike celebrate with music and song afterwards.
Dingle Regatta
The Dingle Regatta’s annual naomhóg racing is Kerry’s biggest naomhóg racing event. Crews from all over Ireland come to Dingle Town to race their rivals in the placid waters of Dingle Bay. Music and song is always abundant in Dingle Town for the regatta.
Féile na Lúnasa (Festival of Lughnasa)
Féile na Lúnasa (Festival of Lughnasa) is a revival of an ancient pre-Christian celebration of the harvest that is held annually just north of Dingle Town in the Cloghane/Brandon region. This is a community based festival that features music, street theatre, a treasure hunt, and art workshops. The outings following the story of Jesus in Dingle and the lectures, especially the Celtic Year add depth to the festival.
September
The Dingle Marathon
Compete in a half or full marathon in what is probably one of the most spectacular settings for road running
More information at www.dinglemarathon.ie
Dingle Traditional Music Festival
Dingle Tradfest is Ireland’s newest innovative Trad-Fusion Music Festival.
www.dingletradfest.com
October
Blas na hÉireann / The National Irish Food Awards
Blas na hÉireann Awards celebrate the quality and imagination of the best Irish food producers. Irish companies are invited to submit food products made in Ireland.
More information at www.irishfoodawards.com
Dingle Food & Wine Festival
The second annual Dingle Food & Wine Festival will take place over a weekend, and will include a series of cookery demonstrations, special menus in restaurants, a food market, a cheese and wine exposition, wine seminars, and culinary trails… Read more »
Annascaul Walking Festival
The Annascaul walking festival isheld by Annascaul Walks, a walking club based on the Dingle Peninsula.
Other Voices
An exhilerating gathering of Irish and International music talent
www.othervoices.ie
December
Wren’s Day
December 26th
Dingle Wren boys take to the street in a blaze of colour continuing an unique and unbroken folk tradition that was for many centuries practised in most parts of Europe. The Dingle Wren is a memorable day of marching, music and dance. Dingle Town is a hive of activity as Dingle’s Wren Boys bring an explosion of colour and boisterous exuberance that is welcome in the midst of winter’s gloom.
New Year’s Eve
December 31st
A few hours before midnight the annual fireworks display lights up the sky over Dingle Harbour. Close to midnight, all locals and visitors converge at “The Bridge” for the begining of the countdown to the New Year.
