The10 best festivals
THERE isn’t a Glastonbury this year but don’t despair – there are plenty of alternative festivals, from match-making in Co. Clare to tomato-flinging… 1 BEST FOR ‘HOME’ BOOKWORMS Described by Salman Rushdie as ‘the best little festival in the world’, Dalkey Book Festival takes place every June in Dublin’s beautiful seaside village. Since 2010, it has hosted Booker Prize winners, a Nobel Laureate, Impac winners, Oscar winners... and even drag artist Mr Pussy. The real charm of this festival is its intimacy: you can bump into some of the world’s greatest writers in the village’s pubs and cafes. Dalkey Book Festival runs from June 14-17 (dalkeybookfestival. org)
2 BEST FOR ‘AWAY’ BOOKWORMS
Launched in 1987, Wales’ Hay Festival brings together readers and writers, with more than 800 conversations, lectures, workshops and performances on offer. Top names signed up so far include Margaret Atwood, Dara O Briain, Philip Pullman and Marina Warner. Hay Festival runs from May 24 to June 3 (hayfestival.org)
3 BEST FOR MUSIC LOVERS
With no Glastonbury, the Isle of Wight Festival hogs the limelight across the water this year, especially as it is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The line-up so far includes Depeche Mode, The Killers, Kasabian, Liam Gallagher, The Script, Rita Ora, Van Morrison, James Bay and Jessie J. Isle of Wight Festival runs from June 21-24 (isleofwightfestival.com)
4 BEST FOR OPERA BUFFS
Performances at this summer’s Arena di Verona opera festival include Carmen, Aida and Turandot. Expedia.ie have a three-night package, including return flights, staying at the four star Crowne Plaza Hotel in Verona from €578.50pp. Opera tickets, which start at €28 for the cheapest seats, can be arranged locally, but it’s best to pre-book. Visit arena.it/arena/en. Arena di Verona Festival runs from June 22 until September 1
5 BEST FOR THE ARTS
The Edinburgh Festival actually comprises 11 different festivals taking place throughout the year but it peaks in August when five events run simultaneously, including the world’s largest arts festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The full programme will be announced in June. For details about all the different events, visit edinburghfestivalcity.com
6 BEST FOR ECCENTRICS
More than 20,000 people spend an hour pelting each other with squashed tomatoes – 120 tons of them – all in the name of fun. It takes place in Bunol, near Valencia, and pre-booked tickets are essential. Associated events include before and after parties. La Tomatina, August 29 (latomatinatours.com)
7 BEST FOR ROMANTICS
More than 60,000 singletons from around the world head for Co. Clare every September hoping to find The One and/or dance along to songs by some of the top names in country music. Or, if you’re not lovelorn, just soak up the magnificent west coast scenery. Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, August 31-September 30 (matchmakerireland.com)
8 BEST FOR JAZZERS
The Montreux Jazz Festival is in its 52nd year and long-regarded as the coolest jazz/blues/rock festival on the planet (largely since Deep Purple imortalised it Smoke On The Water). in Aer Lingus offers return flights to Geneva from €205. The five star Hotel Royal Plaza Montreux offers rooms from €181 (royalplaza.ch/en). Montreux Jazz Festival, June 29-July 14. (montreuxjazz.com)
9 BEST FOR BEER DRINKERS
According to the Oktoberfest organisers, a staggering 6.2 million guests from all over the world descended on Munich last year, drinking 7.5million litres of beer. This year’s event – the 185th Oktoberfest – will again feature food, music, dancing, parades, fairground rides and, of course, lots of beer. The Munich Oktoberfest runs from September 22 to October 7 (oktoberfest.de/en/)
10 BEST FOR NOSTALGIA
The legendary ‘Trip to Tipp’ is being revived for two nights at Semple Stadium in Thurles. Some of the stalwarts of the original 1990s festivals – The Frank and Walters, The Stunning, An Emotional Fish, The 4 of Us, Something Happens and The Hothouse Flowers – will perform with the Irish Chamber Orchestra. (It’s come a long way since the days of burger vans and warm flaggons of cider!) Féile Classical, September 2122.