5 Irish Festivals Not to Miss this May

Ireland is a country of beautiful rolling countryside with fantastic cities and towns. Dublin is a bustling, vibrant city where there is always something fun going on and the month of May is no different. Spirits are high as spring is in full bloom and the start of festival season is upon us, so what better way to embrace the warmer weather than heading out to a Irish festival yourself. Here are our six favourites.  

Dublin Dance Festival From the 2nd to the 20th May the Dublin Dance Festival hits town, and what a treat it is too. Bringing the best international dancers to Irish audiences of all ages and backgrounds, it gives Irish dance artists opportunities to create partnerships that otherwise would have been impossible. Aside from that its a beautiful event to see and will definitely make you want to get moving.

There is all sorts going on including family fun if you fancy taking the little ones down there, outdoor events and heaps of live music & voice events.

International Literature Festival

The International Literature Festival comes to Dublin from the 19th - 27th May and gathers the finest writers in the world to debate, provoke, delight and enthral. You’ll find discussions, debates, workshops, performances and screenings, so if you love to read then this is the one for you. Children’s fiction is also really well respresented at this Irish festival so its one for all of the family.

Gin Fusion During the May bank holiday weekend of 4th to the 7th May comes Gin Fusion. Hosted at the Bernard Shaw and the Eatyard in Dublin, the Bodytonic team bring you gin, gin and more gin, oh and some awesome music too. There will be a variety of events going on including gin tastings (obviously), workshops on cocktails and food pairing, and a pop-up market. There will be loads of food stalls, DJ’s spinning tunes and it promises to be a fun filled weekend.

Vantastival

Another Irish festival happening over the bank holiday weekend is Vantastival, a fabulous family festival on the 3rd and 4th of May in Beaulieu House and Gardens, County Louth. The emphasis is on leading a nomadic lifestyle for the weekend so campervans are encouraged. There are loads of great gourmet food stalls, festival traders and fantastic childrens activites, the whole family will have a great time.

The Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival

During late April/early May (28th April - 1st May) comes the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival and if you love your blues and rockabilly music you’ll be in your element at this Irish Festival. You’ll wind your way through the medieval streets lapping up the huge range of music in the 30 or more venues, hosting over 40 Irish and international acts. There are ticketed and free shows from early afternoon until late into the night.

The 6 Greatest Places to Visit in Ireland this Spring

There is never a bad time to visit Ireland, the dramatic scenery takes on a more atmospheric feel during the winter months and bustling, friendly cities invite you in with their open fires and friendly locals. Come the spring though and you’ll be more than ready to get out and about exploring and you might even get a glimpse of sunshine to warm you up.

We’ve picked five top spots that deserve a visit during the spring months.

1. Glenveagh National Park

This is the second largest national park in Ireland located in County Donegal and is surrounded by rolling hills and a gorgeous lake which beautifully reflects the sun in the spring and summer months.

Blow off those winter cobwebs with a nice walk in the 16,000 hectares which include the Derryveagh Mountains and the Poisoned Glenn.

There are some beautiful trails that take you around the park, some more difficult than others but all requiring proper walking shoes and prior preparation since there are gradients involved and the walking terrain will often be on loose gravel and not necessarily a path.

The least difficult route is around the lake and is one of the most beautiful too. This route takes around 40 minutes and is mostly flat ground on a gravel path.

If you fancy challenging yourself head for the View Point Trail. Although just a short walk of around 35 minutes, this route has some very steep sections and involves climbing steep and stoney paths. The view from the top is certainly a reward for your hard work.

2.County Armagh, Loughgall Country Park

Head for County Armagh in Northern Island and you’ll find Loughgall Country Park, often referred to as the orchard of Ireland, this is a gorgeous place to visit once the weather warms up a touch in the spring.

You’ll find so much to do, from walks and bike rides to a play area for the children, golf, an adventure trail and a football pitch.

In early May this place becomes home to the Apple Blossom festival which is a three day event where the stunning pink and white blossom that emerges each year plays backdrop to loads of activities happening around the orchard area.

3.Glengarriff Bamboo Park

In County Cork lies the Glengarriff Bamboo Park, a beautiful exotic garden, home to 30 different species of bamboo, palm trees and many other tropical plants. There are loads of lovely walks around the gardens and you can also take in the stunning views of Glengarriff harbour. Whilst wandering the gardens you’ll come across some mysterious stone pillars, there are 13 of these that are thought to be ancient although their significance still remains a mystery.

Walking in Glengarriff Bamboo Park in spring really allows you to forget about those long winter months that have passed and almost transports you to a tropical country for a few hours.

4.Sligo

If you’re a surfer then you will probably have been itching for the winter to be done and the spring on its way bringing warmer temperatures so that you can hit those waves.

Sligo is by far the best surfing area in Ireland, yes you’ll definitely still need to wear a wetsuit in the spring but you may get a glimpse of the sun and can enjoy the ocean for longer as the temperatures rise.

While in the area you must definitely visit Gilligahan’s World in Knocknashee. Titled the ‘field of dreams’ these enchanted fairy gardens offer a beautiful, spiritual experience for all of the family. This is a really magical and arty place that you need to really see to understand.

Expect miniature villages, fairy habitats, ponds and pools, animals and loads more. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another little world and the spring light and sunshine will only make it more of a special visit.

5.Burren National Park

Burren National Park is located in County Clare and is a region of environmental interest made up of glaciated karst.

Late into spring in the May months the area comes alive with wild flower and walking any of the five marked trails is more beautiful than ever that take you through limestone grasslands, hazel and ash woods, and limestone pavements.

In May the Burren in Bloom festival comes to the national park where visitors are guided through the gardens learning about the unique flowers and cultural wealth of the area.

6.Liss Ard Gardens

Just outside of Skibbereen, County Cork, you’ll find Liss Ard Gardens, a magical estate of manors, gardens, trails, ponds and lakes. The gardens have been designed like a piece of art and are truly a peaceful, tranquil place to be.

However amid the beauty of this place is something amazing that is quite hard to put into words and really needs to be seen to be believed; The Crater. An architectural installation built in the gardens by artist James Turrell that from above looks like a huge bowl. It’s an incredible experience that we would highly recommend.

We hope you’re inspired to get out and about this spring and lets hope the sun makes an appearance too. Please do keep in mind though that St Patrick's Day is Saturday 27th March, so if you’ll either need to embrace the fun over that weekend or visit at another time when it might be a little quieter on the Emerald Isle.

6 Best Places to Visit in the UK This March

We’ve waved goodbye to the start of the year, the darkest and most gloomy months are behind us and we’ve the Spring and lots of sunshine (hopefully!) to look forward to. So why not take a mini UK break or even a day trip to one of the many beautiful parts of the UK. Days are getting lighter and thoughts are just starting to turn to packing away that heavy winter coat and wellies for the summer months, making it a great time to travel with a positive and happy mind. We’ve picked our top UK destinations for you to visit in March this year.

1.Yorkshire

Located in the North of England, whatever the season the weather isn’t something you can depend on, so although a visit in March means the end of winter and spring on the cusp, its best to prepare for rain, sunshine, wind and even snow, just to be on the safe side!

March is a fabulous time to visit the North York Moors, a national park in North Yorkshire covering an area of 554 square miles of beautiful ancient trees, abundant wildlife and so many walking opportunities.

If you’re lucky you’ll get to see newborn lambs playing on the dales, hares performing their mating ritual called ‘sparring’, frogs and toads aplenty and possibly the odd adder coming out of hibernation.

2.Cotswolds

Let’s face it, most places look good as spring moves in and this is so true of the Cotswolds. A visit in March will coincide with the annual and very, very popular Cheltenham Gold Cup. This horse racing festival takes place over a week in March and draws in crowds from all over the UK. Cheltenham and its surrounding areas will be buzzing, busy and fun whilst the festival is on. Even if you don’t have tickets for the races you can enjoy soaking up the festival atmosphere, but if your visit to the Cotswolds is geared towards a quiet and relaxing break then avoid this time at all costs.

Aside from the races, March time in the Cotswolds is wonderful with so many gorgeous walks to be done, gardens to visit, hills to be climbed and traditional English pubs to take a break in, you’ll love it.

3.Cornwall

Cornwall boasts some of the best of the UK beaches, with beautiful golden sands, rock pools and cliff walks. It’s not hard to see why we love Cornwall, but visit in the peak of summer and you’ll certainly not be alone, visit in March and you’ll have beaten the summer crowds and will likely be able to have beach time alone without another soul about. Of course the weather will certainly not be as warm and we doubt you’ll be donning your bikini and sun cream, but there can be some really pleasant spring like days in March that will warm your skin and get you super excited for the impending summer ahead. With it being as far South as you can go in the UK it is often treated to the first glimpses of spring before the rest of the country.

March is also a great time to spot seals along the Cornish coastline as you stroll the rugged cliffs and sandy beaches.

4.Lake District

The Lake District is a mountainous region in North West England that is famous for its beautiful lakes and dramatic mountains. However such beauty can of course draw in many people when the weather gets warm and people feel more confident to brave the elements. This is why a visit in March is actually the perfect timing, you’ll miss the crowds and get to take in the sheer beauty of the Lake District all on your own.

Pack wisely since during the months of January through to March there is a 50% chance of rain or snow on any given day and the days are a lot shorter. Plan longer walks well, you really don’t want to get caught short in these areas as fog can sweep into higher grounds very quickly making walking conditions extremely hazardous. That said, as long as you are prepared and have done your research then you will really reap the benefits of travelling at this time of year when you find your very own little slice of the Lake District.

5.London

If you’re planning a trip to the Capital then definitely consider a visit in March. London never really has a ‘quiet time’ but the quietest months are usually at the beginning of the year and March marks the end of this. St Patricks Day is widely celebrated across the city and bars and restaurants are filled with the usual hustle and bustle of this amazing city.

Catch a boat trip down the Thames, wonder around Soho, stroll though Hyde Park enjoying the colourful flowers starting to unfold or take a walk up Hampstead Heath and take in the city from above.

Weather wise temperatures should be warming up a little but do pack sensibly because a lot of rain isn’t uncommon at this time of the year.

6.Bath

Bath is really always a lovely place to see, set in the rolling countryside of South West England, it is a world heritage site and it’s easy to see why. Beautiful Georgian architecture at every turn, one of the worlds best-preserved Roman bathhouses, stylish and sophisticated hotels and cool and quirky bars make Bath a really fabulous place to visit. March is vibrant as ever with students filling the city and bringing it to life. There are loads of beautiful gardens and nature attractions to visit as well. Less than a mile from the city centre you’ll find the Botanical Gardens which are home to many trees, shrubs, a rock garden and pool, a scented walk and loads of beautiful space to stroll or just chill out.