events in ireland

Oxegen

catherine.haslam — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:33:22 +0100

Oxegen, 10 July 2009

Oxegen has become one of the most famous music festivals in Europe since it was first held in 2004. The event takes place at Punchestown Racecourse in Co. Kildare in the Republic of Ireland and people come from all over Europe to enjoy it. Oxegen is usually held over a weekend in mid-July.

Most people stay for the weekend to make the most of the event and there is plenty of space nearby to pitch a tent....but you can also come for the day. Some of the huge international acts to take to the stage this year at Oxegen are The Killers, Blur, Razorlight and Lily Allen. Don't miss Oxegen......

October Bank Holiday/ Halloween

catherine.haslam — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:16:01 +0100

October Bank Holiday/ Halloween

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Halloween is celebrated on the night of the 31st October. Halloween originates from the pagan festival, Samhain, Lord of the Dead, which was celebrated among the Celts of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany on the 31st October. The Celts believed that the 1st November was the start of the new year and the coming of winter and souls from the dead, ghosts, goblins and witches would return to the mortal realm to mix with the living on the eve of the new year, and so for this reason, people would wear masks, costumes and light bonfires to scare away the immortal evil spirits.

Many people have carried through this tradition to celebrate the festival of Samhain. On Halloween night in the United Kingdom and in Ireland, many people dress up in costumes such as skeletons, devils, witches, zombies or even cartoon characters - the list is endless. Fireworks displays are held in local towns and bonfires are lit. Some children go trick-or-treating which involves knocking on their neighbour's doors to gather fruits, sweets and nuts. In Scotland, trick-or-treating is slightly different. Children dress up and knock on their neighbour's door to offer entertainment instead of to ask for treats, and it is called ‘guising.' People usually decorate their houses with pumpkins which have a scary faced carved out and a candle.

Apple tarts with hidden coins are made at Halloween and many people eat nuts and toffee apples. Other traditional things to do at Halloween are watch horror films and tell ghost stories.

This tradition was carried to North America in the 19th century by Irish and Scottish immigrants.

October Bank Holiday/ Halloween Calendar

Halloween 2009 : 26 October
Halloween 2010 : 25 October
Halloween 2011 : 31 October
Halloween 2012 : 29 October
Halloween 2013 : 28 October
Halloween 2014 : 27 October
Halloween 2015 : 26 October
Halloween 2016 : 31 October
Halloween 2017 : 30 October
Halloween 2018 : 29 October

June Bank Holiday

catherine.haslam — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:32:51 +0100

June Bank Holiday

June Bank Holiday brings with it hope for children that the academic year will soon be drawing to a close and that the holiday season is just around the corner. Summer holidays, warmer weather and open-air concerts in the park - June marks the start of a whole series of events organised for the summer months, from music in the park to photography exhibitions and garden festivals. Many families enjoy a day out on this bank holiday and take the opportunity to go away for a long weekend break if the holiday falls on the day before or after the weekend.

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June Bank Holiday Calendar

This calendar will help you plan aheard for your next June Bank Holiday weekend in Ireland.

June Bank Holiday 2009 : 1 June
June Bank Holiday 2010 : 7 June
June Bank Holiday 2011 : 6 June
June Bank Holiday 2012 : 4 June
June Bank Holiday 2013 : 3 June
June Bank Holiday 2014 : 2 June
June Bank Holiday 2015 : 1 June
June Bank Holiday 2016 : 6 June
June Bank Holiday 2017 : 5 June
June Bank Holiday 2018 : 4 June

More Bank Holidays in Ireland

October Bank Holiday 2009
St. Patrick's Day 2010

Travel in Ireland

St. Patrick's Day

catherine.haslam — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:25:56 +0100

Saint Patrick's Day, 17th March 2010

St. Patrick's Day, also known as Saint Patty's day, Paddy's Day, was originally celebrated as a religious holiday. Nevertheless, it became a bank holiday in 1903 under the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act 1903. Although St. Patrick's Day is an annual event which commemorates Saint Patrick, one of the patron saints of Ireland, it has become an international event and is celebrated worldwide, not only by Irish expatriates but by people all over the world. It is a festival celebrated by the Catholic Church and over the years, it has become an important day during which many Irish people, despite their religion, celebrate their culture. It is held on the 17th March which is the day Saint Patrick died.

St. Patrick's Day is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, however, there are celebrations and parades held all over the world. There is a five-day parade held in Dublin and surprisingly, the biggest parade is held in New York. Smaller parades are held both north and south of the border in Belfast, Londonderry, Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Waterford. The biggest home celebrations are held in Downpatrick, in Northern Ireland as this is where Saint Patrick was buried in 493 AD.

Many people wear green and orange, the colours of the Irish flag, paint shamrocks on their faces, eat typical Irish food and drink and go to see the St. Patrick's Parade. It is also a good excuse to sample Irish drinks such as Guinness, Baileys Irish Cream, Irish coffee and Irish whiskey. Even though it is a church festival, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into a festival which more commonly celebrates Irish culture. There are events organised at Irish pubs all over the world and those who can drink the most Guinness will receive a Guinness Hat.

St. Patrick's Day Calendar

What day does the Irish bank holiday fall on over the next years? Plan your trip to Ireland and spend St. Patrick's Day in the Irish capital. Find cheap flights to Dublin with eDreams.

St. Patrick's Day 2009 Tuesday
St. Patrick's Day 2010 Wednesday
St. Patrick's Day 2011 Thursday
St. Patrick's Day 2012 Saturday
St. Patrick's Day 2013 Sunday
St. Patrick's Day 2014 Monday
St. Patrick's Day 2015 Tuesday
St. Patrick's Day 2016 Thursday
St. Patrick's Day 2017 Friday
St. Patrick's Day 2018 Saturday

Travel in Ireland