Festivals & Events in Donegal

15 March - 31st December 2024, Donegal Town. In 2024, Donegal Town will mark its 550th Birthday. Its origins can be traced back to 1474, when Lady Nuala O'Donnell established a Franciscan Abbey on the shores of Donegal Bay. Around the same time, her husband Red Hugh O'Donnell the First, Lord of Tir Chonaill founded Donegal Castle. The Town of Donegal grew up around these two great buildings an…

15th March - 28th October 2024 Join us as Oideas Gael celebrates 40 years of Irish language courses and cultural activity holidays for adults in the Donegal Gaeltacht! Oideas Gael in Gleann Cholm Cille, County Donegal, offers highly-acclaimed cultural programmes and Irish language courses for adults, catering for all levels from beginners to experienced speakers. Every year, participants fro…

2024 Donegal Garden Trail Our beautiful parks and gardens offer visitors a delightful and unique experience of the magical Donegal environment. At 17 locations throughout the County you are welcome to explore parks and gardens, some open to visitors all year round, others with regular spring, summer and autumn opening . Check garden profiles for opening times. See links below

1st May - 1st October 2024 Embark on an unforgettable journey through Donegal's diverse wonders with our Wildlife and Music Trails! Discover the hidden treasures of the marine world as you explore pristine coastlines and observe diverse sea life. Then, immerse yourself in the rich musical tapestry of Donegal, connecting with local artists and traditions. Let the sights and sounds of Ireland…

17th - 19th May 2024 Féile Róise Rua is a voluntary community-based festival celebrating the local music, song tradition and heritage of Arranmore island, in particular the music of local singer and song collector Róise Rua, or Róise na nÁmhrán. The festival is run by a social enterprise, Taisce an Oileáin, with all profits from the event going into community and arts projects on Arranmore. …

25th May 2024 Want to know more about Ireland's marine biodiversity and learn how to contribute to the citizen science record? Join us to Explore your Shore

25th May 2024 7:30 - 8:15 pm Flagship Dusk Chorus: The Big Bealtaine Beach Sing! Join the Rosses Pop Choir at Maghery Beach for an evening of popular anthems by the sea. This closing event of the Bealtaine Festival features uplifting songs from iconic artists like Queen, Toto, Adele, and traditional pieces including “You Raise Me Up.” Celebrate the joy of music in one of Donegal’s most beaut…

27th - 29th May 2024 Played over Rosapenna (Sandy Hills Links), Portsalon Golf Links & Ballyliffin (Old Links) Teams of four. Ladies & Gents, any combination. (Players are not split) The competition is both a singles & team event where you mark a singles stableford card each day. Team scoring is the best 3 cards from 4.

30th May - 2nd June 2024, Ballyshannon The 20th Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival will take place between 30th May - 2nd June 2024 in the town where the world's greatest Guitarist was born - Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland Born at the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon in 1948 and since 2002 the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival has celebrated the Music & Life of Rory…

31st May - 4th June 2024, Dungloe After the success of last year's TOWN FEST DUNGLOE we just had to do it all over again. Top class entertainment by some of Ireland's finest. Friday 31st May BONKERS BINGO Saturday 1st June DEREK RYAN & GUESTS Sunday 2nd JENNY GREENE plus support Monday 3rd June ONE FOR THE ROAD BAND Dungloe Mayoral Election Ball La Gaelach Traditional mu…

1st & 2nd of June 2024 Buncrana Music Festival returns to Buncrana's Shore Front The highly anticipated Buncrana Music Festival 2024 will take place on Saturday 1st June & Sunday 2nd June 2024, Organiser Barry Doherty is expecting a fantastic event again for 2024 The spectacular line-up including Dan Mc Cabe, Chasing Abbey, Allie Sherlock among other artists will ensure crowds are enterta…

2nd June 2024 Inishowen Pride are a voluntary community group and organisers of Donegal’s first ever Pride Parade in 2022. The event is growing bigger, brighter and more beautiful every year. Inishowen pride festival will host a range of events in the run up to the Pride parade Sunday 2nd June which will coincide with Pride month celebrations in Ireland and across the world. Follow thei…

9th June 2024 Celebrating 70th anniversary of the O'Donnell Clan Association (ODCA) in tandem with 550th anniversary of erection of Donegal Castle and foundation of Donegal Abbey in 1474 by Red Hugh O'Donnell the First. We are pleased to announce that the ODCA membership in Clans of Ireland has been renewed after an extended hiatus of absence. The Clan Gathering on 9 June 2024, being also th…

15th June 2024 Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 A day of free creativity for children and young people Join us for a Family Fun event hosted by the Donegal Town Community Chamber and the Donegal Railway Museum to celebrate our town's 550th anniversary! 🎪🎨🚂 Mark your calendars for Saturday, 15th June , from 12-4pm at the Donegal Railway Museum Get ready for a day jam-packed with activities incl…

21st - 23rd June 2024, Bundoran Sea Sessions Surf & Music Festival combines a weekend of great music from Irish and International acts, Surfing, Beach Sports, Yoga, Skateboarding and BMX displays right on the coast of Bundoran, Co. Donegal. Ireland’s number one Surf and Music Festival takes place from June 20th - 23rd 2024. Acts already announced include, blk., Cian Ducrot, Johnny Marr, Jazz…

23rd June 2024 @ 8pm Philomena Begley widely known as the Queen of Irish Country is a name that needs very little introduction and is synonymous throughout Ireland and beyond,she has been at the forefront of Irish Country Music now for 60 years and during this time she has had a glittering career that has seen her achieve countless accolades and scoring dozens of No.1 hit songs that include “Th…

28th - 30th June 2024 Live At The Pier!! Donegal Summer Festival: A Spectacular Weekend of Live Music This summer, the picturesque town of Donegal will come alive with the vibrant rhythms and melodies of the Donegal Summer Festival at Pier. Set against the stunning backdrop of the pier, the festival promises a weekend of unforgettable live music experiences from June 28th to June 30th. …

4th - 15th July 2024, Ramelton The Lennon Festival, an iconic yearly celebration since 1969, is set to enchant attendees from July 4th to July 15th. Bursting with an array of family-friendly activities, this cherished event promises something for everyone. The festivities kick off with a traditional opening ceremony on July 4th, followed by music extravaganzas on July 5th-6th and July 12th-…

6th - 20th July 2024 Experience some of Inishowens most beautiful landscapes up close and personal. Choose from 3 different categories, 26km Sprint (beginner), 41km Rebel, 62km Extreme. Tuff Inish gives you the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself in 2024, and sure it would be a shame not to indulge in the local hospitality while you're up here. Tuff Inish ☘️ Adventure racing has explo…

12th & 13th July 2024 Sult Féile is back! A two day outdoor musical festival in the heart of the Gaeltacht in Gaoth Dobhair, Donegal. More information to follow