Festivities of Ireland - Tourist's delight
As an island Ireland has its fair share of attractions that make myriads of tourists consider it a prime destination. Other than the picturesque landscapes of the nation, as well as the rich history and culture of its people, there is far more than meets the eye. There are numerous festivals in Ireland that are a major source of thrill and fun for tourists and locals. These include:
Cat laughs comedy festival
This festival is held between 2nd and 6th June, and is a major favorite of the Irish people and tourists as well. It is an astounding comedy show that has won international accolades, and comes to life in the lovely city of Kilkenny. The two dates on which the festival is held are said to be a holiday weekend for bankers. It was started in late 1994 in response to the rising talent of Irish youths in comedy. Since its inception, the festival has grown in fame and numbers and has attracted people from around the globe. The festival is a hub for the showcasing of the best of Irish comedy and other international talented acts as well. This festival plays host to burgeoning comedians, renowned stars in comedy, and newcomers to the field. The festival is attended by more than 30,000 people, and the five days on which it is held are among the most laugh-filled in Ireland.
Cork Jazz Festival
The Guinness cork jazz festival is held towards the end of October every year. It is mainly staged in the southern capital of the nation. It is a renowned art and cultural event that is attended by all and sundry from all corners of the world. The festival has grown from one level to another and feature the showcasing of world-class jazz music. Some of the top names in the field that have graced the festival with their presence include: Chick Corea, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, and Herbie Hancock among many others. Attendees experience an amazing musical adventure, with free tickets, street fun, lectures, jazz camps, a jazz choir, and musical workshops on offer.
Dublin writers’ week
This is a festival that has been in existence since 1998. It gathers the best writers in the world and teams them together to debate, delight, provoke, thrill, and educate the attendees as to the various skills in writing. The festival is a prime one that recognizes literary talent, and effortlessly attracts such like-minded people. The best writers in Ireland combine with others from across the world to showcase their literary talents. Tourists who adore writing are always enthralled by the festival and make sure to attend every year.
Dublin, a city in Ireland, was named as one of the best cities for literature by UNESCO. This therefore explains why the literary festival is held in Ireland and not in any other country. Some of the most common places that tourists throng to enjoy the festival are the James Joyce Museum and Tower, Trinity College Library, and Dublin Writers Museum among others. People who throng this festival have the opportunity of viewing various ancient high quality books. Any tourist or local people that attend this festival are treated to intellectual discussions, performances, workshops, debates, and discussions among others.
Galway Oyster Festival
This food festival has been around since 1954. It mainly involves showcasing the unique preparation of seafood and is one of the most famous food festivals in Ireland. Across the world, the festival is known to be among the most influential food festivals. Oysters are universally famous for their unique and unrivaled taste. For the festival the oysters which are the main attraction are placed in a sheltered bay, after which some salt is added as a preservative, while other food additives are used to help improve the taste of the food. Tourists are treated to some tantalizing events during the festival that increase their appetite for seafood. The weekend of the festival is usually an eventful one. Celebrity cooks also participate in the festival as they compete with each other on various professional methods of preparing oysters and other sea food. The quality of the seafood is one of a kind, and if you make a surprise appearance during the festival, you most sure will not miss the next one.