Festival of World Cultures
More than a carnival, this is Ireland’s biggest international event
More than a carnival, this is Ireland’s biggest international event, celebrating music and art from all over the world. While there are carnival parades with samba and Bollywood dancing (among others) there is much more to see and do. Lovers of World music are particularly well catered for, with calypso, folk, Balkan music and Middle Eastern percussion being just a few examples of the eclectic live performances that take place. But it’s not only music, there is food, film, dancing and even curious workshops which can involve anything from building your own go-kart to learning about herbal remedies. Throughout the 10 years the festival has been running, World music stars like Natacha Atlas, Emanuel Jal and Rodrigo Y Gabriela have taken part, so expect high profile performers in atmospheric venues like 19th century churches and outdoor spaces. It’s little wonder this three day event has won a host of awards, as well as being listed among the top 25 best music festivals in the world by Songlines magazine.