Relentlessly Purple

As part of their efforts to help motorists and home owners get Ready for the Real World and help them enjoy the best of the summer too, Liberty Insurance have shared a select list of events happening across Ireland this August.

Events

Galway Races

The Galway Races are famously good craic, with crowds of over 150,000 spilling into one of the most interesting cities in Ireland.

The Galway races are not just about the racing – there’s lots of music, great food, fashion and style and some serious people-watching too.

Sunday is Mad Hatter’s Day at the races, and the fun gets bigger as the hats get wackier. Expect branches, flowers, feathers, balloons, oversized cupcakes… we’ve even seen sandwiches and shoes on people’s heads

August 3rd – 5th: Castlepalooza

Castlepalooza is an independent music festival held in the grounds of the stunning of Charleville House, Co. Offaly.

Billing itself as a ‘Boutique Festival’ –  tickets are limited to just 1500 – those attending have access to the inside of the castle and the small numbers make for a very friendly event.

Although the main focus is on the music, there’s also art exhibitions, fortune tellers, games, a cocktail bar, a comedy club, great food and even a day spa available for the lucky few that go.

August 3rd – 5th: Indiependence Festival

This music and arts festival is smaller than most, with a limit of just 5000 tickets, which makes for an intimate atmosphere. Fans consider it to be the best boutique festival in Ireland and the organisers in Cork work hard to keep it good, both with an always excellent music line up and the range of other events that make it special.

The range of music is diverse and with 5 covered stages of various sizes, there’s always at least one act on that you’ll enjoy.

August 3rd – 5th: Enniscorthy Rockin Food Festival

Family favourite, Rockin’ Food Festival, is back with a bang this year and promises something for everyone.

Its recipe for success is a line-up of over 120 events, with half of them completely free.

A rock’n’roll gig trail offers free live music sessions from Friday night, August 3, right through until Sunday, August 5.

There’s loads for Kids to do including a Lego workshop, and slime making class and much more.

Meanwhile, food lovers can feast at the Artisan Food, Drink and Crafts Market with over 80 vendors to choose from.

August 8th – 12th: Dublin Horse Show

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend this month’s Dublin Horse Show at the RDS, as well as about 1,600 horses and ponies will participate in the show’s various equestrian events.

Some of the World’s best show jumpers will be there, competing for large prizes in competitions throughout the week, culminating in the Nations Cup on the last day of the show. This is as much a social as an equestrian event, with horsey people from all over the country gathering for a week of competition by day and hard partying by night.

August 10th – 12th: Puck Fair

Where do you even begin with Puck Fair?  It’s old for a start, it got official recognition from James I in 1603 and it was probably already ancient at that time.

Basically, this is what happens:

Each year a wild male goat is captured from a mountain and brought into Kilorglin, Co. Kerry. It is raised on a platform high above the crowd and there a young girl, who has earlier been crowned  ‘Queen of Puck’, crowns the goat King.

There follows much cheering and several days of general merrymaking. During the day it is very family-friendly, with lots of street entertainment and kids events going on. Music is everywhere, both organised and just from random buskers. There is a party feeling and lots to see and do.

August 10th – 20th: Kilkenny Arts Festival

The Kilkenny Arts Festival completely takes over the city, with official and fringe events taking place in every available space, from shops and offices to hotels and pubs as well as on the street.

There’s so much to see on do over the 10 days from visual arts and classical music to theatre, dance, literature, crafts and a strong children’s programme. Just dive in and enjoy.

August 16th – 19th: The Big Grill

A female chef who specialises in 160-day whiskey-aged beef, and a former celebrity personal protection specialist turned Brooklyn restaurateur, are among the headliners at The Big Grill festival, which makes its fifth appearance in Herbert Park, Dublin 4 in August (16th-19th).

More than 20,000 barbecue enthusiasts are expected to attend this celebration of cooking with fire and smoke, described by the organisers as “Europe’s largest barbecue festival”.

August 14th – 20th: Connemara Pony Show

This festival celebrating the world renowned Connemara pony takes place each August in Clifden.

In-hand classes, ridden classes, dressage and working hunter classes, carriage driving and show jumping competitions are just some of the events. There is plenty to see and do aside from the ponies, with a dog show, domestic arts competitions, Irish dancing and the promise of some surprise visitors for children – it is a very lively and friendly show to attend.

August 31st – September 2nd: Electric Picnic

This festival is probably known to most people and this year the lineup is one of the best ever. Apart from world class music, the Laois based festival offers everything from comedy to theatre and interactive art and holistic health to world cuisine.

There’s so much you can get up to this August and no matter what event you’re getting ready for, Liberty Insurance will be there with great cover you can trust. That’s why they help their customers to adjust their Car Insurance policy so they can add an additional driver, drive a van and more.