Celebrated across the nation, St. Patrick's Day is perhaps the most famous festival in Ireland. Originally, it was held in honour of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, but the modern celebration has transformed into a celebration of culture, music and arts. Join more than half a million spectators as they gather in March every year to witness the National St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin. 

The Fleadh Cheoil, short for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, is the world’s largest festival of Irish music. Established over 60 years ago, it celebrates Irish music through competition. Each August, the event is hosted in Wexford and attracts more than 600,000 visitors, including musicians, dancers, and performers from around the world. Join the celebration and enjoy various sessions, workshops, concerts and exhibitions! 

Puck Fair is Ireland's oldest festival, celebrating a bountiful harvest with roots dating back to the Gaelic calendar. This street festival takes place annually on the 10th, 11th and 12th of August without fail in Killorglin in Co Kerry. During these three days, a male goat (Puck), a pagan symbol of fertility, is captured from the Kerry mountains and crowned king on the first day, known as the 'gathering'. On the second day, known as the "Fair Day,” a cattle fair is held and finally, on the third day, known as "scattering", the goat is dethroned and returned to the mountains. No tickets are needed to join the celebrations, so don't miss the chance to visit Killorglin and witness the Puck Fair. 

Since 1998, the International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) has been Ireland's most renowned literary event. It is the dream of every book lover as the event attracts the best and brightest writers, performers, artists, and thinkers from around the world. Held in Merrion Square Park in the heart of Dublin city centre, the event is full of exciting and engaging activities like live readings, discussions, screenings, guided walks, immersive events, etc, to celebrate storytelling and its many forms. Don't miss your chance to be part of this intellectual and impressive event. 

The Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF), held for two weeks in July every year, is a must-attend event for art enthusiasts. This dynamic festival was founded in 1978 and is the highlight of the year in Ireland. GIAF transforms the picturesque city of Galway into a vibrant hub of creativity and excitement. You can witness captivating theatre productions, thought-provoking exhibitions, world premieres, extraordinary visual art, and enchanting musical and street performances.  

The Cork Jazz Festival, held every October, has been one of Europe's premier jazz events for the past 46 years. Founded by Jim Mountjoy in October 1978, the music festival is attended by thousands of top international and Irish jazz artists as well as their fans in Cork City. The grand event features over 90 venues throughout the city. This is Ireland's biggest jazz event, celebrating seasoned professionals and the development of new local talent. You can enjoy a relaxed setting and experience the ultimate jazz festival at Cork's lively pubs and venues. 

Though launched only a decade ago in 2013, the Festival of Curiosity, held July each year across 14 venues in Dublin City Centre, has made a name for itself. It is the annual festival of science, arts, design, and technology that takes place in digital, virtual, and blended formats. It is attended by people of all ages and backgrounds to explore and discover science, arts, design, and technology in playful new ways so that everyone can stay safe while staying curious. Attend these events to experience cutting-edge technology, arts, design and science in immersive and curious ways. 

English is the de facto official language of Ireland, with more than 95% of the population using it to communicate with each other and socialising is a big part of learning a new language. Irish festivals offer you an amazing opportunity to try your newfound skills with friendly locals and people attending these events. You can have interesting conversations about the events taking place, the artists performing on stage or the delicious food you just tried. Make the best of Irish festivals to improve your English language skills and have an unforgettable experience.