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

Drama Cast - Online A study aid for second level students Produced by An Grianán Theatre in co-production with Workhouse Theatre Co, DramaCast presents scenes from three exam texts: Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Philadelphia, Here I Come. Two key scenes from each play are performed by local actors and are accompanied by commentary from Michael Kelly, St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, hig…

23rd October, 2024 MRK Live & Night Time Economy Buncrana Presents: Paddy McDonnell West Belfast comedian Paddy McDonnell is one of Ireland's greatest storytellers, largely basing his comedy from tales of working as a taxi man to everyday tales of being a husband and father. Having supported household names such as Des Bishop and Frankie Boyle, as well as sold out shows at Belfast's SSE A…

25th October 2024, 9pm Welcome to the Wild Shores Food Festival happening in beautiful Donegal! Get ready to indulge in a variety of delicious dishes, local specialties, and culinary delights from a selection of the best restaurants in the Northwest. Join us for a gastronomic adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Whether you're a foodie, a chef, o…

25th - 29th October 2024. Wild Shores – A celebration of Ireland’s foodie Northwest Coast The Wild Shores Food and Drink Festival, featuring fantastic food experiences in Ireland’s Northwest A series of foodie events will showcase local chefs, award-winning restaurants, and artisanal producers for a celebration of flavour and creativity. Featured events include the Sligo Oyster Experi…

Get ready to dance and sing along to all the classic hits of ABBA at our super fun ABBA Tribute Night! Welcome to ABBA Tribute Night! Join us at The Central Hotel Donegal for a night filled with the iconic music of ABBA. Get ready to dance and sing along to all your favorite hits from the legendary Swedish pop group. This in-person event promises a fun-filled evening of nostalgia and great musi…

26th, 27th, 28th October, 2024. This Halloween, Oakfield Park transforms into a spine-chilling nightmare! Dare to board the Haunted Ghost Train for a frightful journey through eerie landscapes, and brace yourselves for truly terrifying surprises along the way! Venture into the Sinister Pumpkin Patch, but beware as this is no ordinary place, but one where Halloween spirits come to life! On…

26th October 2024 @ 7:30pm Welcome to the Wild Shores Food Festival happening in beautiful Donegal! Get ready to indulge in a variety of delicious dishes, local specialties, and culinary delights from a selection of the best restaurants in the Northwest. Join us for a gastronomic adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Whether you're a foodie, a che…

27th October 2024 Kids Disco Halloween Party 2024 Spooktacular Magic Show Spooky Party Games & Music Prizes & Treats Spooky Fun Disco Dancing Fancy Dress Competition Photo Opportunities Special Guests Child Friendly - Jackcula & Winnie the witch

27th October, 2024 7:30pm Welcome to the Wild Shores Food Festival happening in beautiful Donegal! Get ready to indulge in a variety of delicious dishes, local specialties, and culinary delights from a selection of the best restaurants in the Northwest. Join us for a gastronomic adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Whether you're a foodie, a chef,…

29th - 30th October 2024 The Irish Entertainment Awards is an event that celebrates outstanding talent across various entertainment sectors in Ireland. It recognises achievements in music, television, radio, and other entertainment fields, bringing together artists, performers, and creators. The awards aim to honor the contributions of both emerging and established figures in the Irish enter…

31st October 2024 Fomhair Festival presents FreakNight 2024, Live At The Big Top Donegal, Gaoth Dobhair! Get ready for an unforgettable night of electrifying entertainment at the FreakNight 2024! Join us on Halloween Night 31st Oct 2024 in Gweedore for an event that will leave you breathless from 5pm - 12am! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have pulled together our biggest l…

1st - 3rd November 2024 Donegal Bridge Congress is a competitive Bridge event and is seen as Ireland’s paramount bridge congress. Bridge being the anchor event of the weekend wherein competitions are ongoing over the 3 days, we also facilitate fashion shows, golf outings, scenic tours and sampling of locally sourced food and drink, presentations to highlight the region’s unique resources, …

2nd November 2024 The King - Jim Brown returns to Lifford Old Courthouse on Saturday the 2nd of November. Regarded as the quintessential Elvis tribute act, Jim Brown takes to the stage for the third time at Lifford Old Courthouse for what promises to be a special show. The King’s own story is as steeped in legend as the good lord Elvis himself. Born in Belfast and married with five children…

2nd November 2024 The Laughlines cast perform ‘Carry on Screaming –It’s Murder’, a hilarious and riotous Halloween murder mystery dinner party with brilliant comedy, music, murder and intrigue. An accomplished Professor is guest of honor at this evening’s special dinner and he will be announcing the production of his new miracle wonder drug and invention…will things go according to plan or w…

6th - 10th November Ballyshannon The Allingham Festival is an annual literary and community-arts festival celebrating the lives and legacies of poet and author William Allingham and artist Helen Allingham. Celebrating the 200th birthday of William Allingham, vibrant events confirmed for the 2024 Allingham Festival include: • A concert by delta-blues prodigy Muireann Bradley • A lec…

6th November - 10th november 2024 The Allingham Festival is an Arts Festival with broad appeal. It includes events to appeal to families and individuals. Key event types are Drama, Music, Topical Lectures, Book Readings, Writing Competitions, History, Music and general entertainment. The festival takes place in early November which is normally a quiet time and we have built up a solid and …

22nd November 2024 Echo Harte performing Live at Lifford Old Courthouse. Support on the night from Jim 'Farmer' Harte “The artist’s new single is unlike anything out at the moment. Unique isn’t a unique enough word for what Echo Harte brings to the table.” - Hot PressImpressive debut album - Finbar Hoban Presents Unique - We Write About Music It is a beautiful piece - TG4 on 'Illuminatio…