Festivals & Events in Donegal

September 21st - 27th, 2020 - Autumn Writing Retreat 2020 A week-long, creative writing holiday with a difference – scenic walks, fascinating talks and daily practical writing and editing workshops – all in a land that time forgot, in probably the most scenic part of Ireland, along the famous Wild Atlantic Way. Plus lively, traditional Irish music concerts; island and castle tours of an aw…

25th - 27th September 2020, Ardara The Johnny Doherty Festival is a traditional music festival in memory of the late John Doherty, a local fiddle legend. Held in the scenic heritage town of Ardara in Co Donegal, The Johnny Doherty Festival aims to promote the music and dance traditions of the area. John Doherty was a world renowned traditional musician who was born in and spent much time in…

25th - 27th September 2020, Ballyliffin The Disappear Here Film Festival returns for its third year to Donegal, Ireland. The DHFF is a three day festival taking place in Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal from Friday 27th September 2019. Disappear Here Film Festival will return for its fourth year to Donegal, Ireland. The DHFF is a three day festival taking place in Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal from Frida…

25th Sept - 18th October 2020, Online, Ballybofey and Ballyshannon Over the past 20 years, the Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival has supported artists and engaged communities throughout South and South West Donegal. This year, the festival organisers had to adapt to the challenges related to the Covid-19 situation. Partner artists and venues have come together to create a blend of live an…

Changed date: 26th - 27th September 2020, Dungloe The Rosses Walking Festival Dates have been changed to September 26th and 27th. All ticket holders have been contacted via email. September is a beautiful month in Donegal and the walks will be even better now that nature is allowed to flourish again. Please join us for the Walks and support this festival. Thank you. Saturday, 26th Septemb…

26th September 2020, Inch Levels, Burt, 12 noon On Saturday, 26th September 2020 join Donegal County Council’s Trail Gazers and Jason Black, as part of National bike week on a fun filled 8km short cycle (social distance), at a very leisurely pace at the beautiful Inch Levels (starting point McGrath’s Carpark at 12 noon). We will laugh and smile and after the spin, as we enjoy our packed lun…

Starts 1st October 2020, Virtual Challenge over 4 months EXCEL SPORTS PRESENTS THEIR AUTUMN / WINTER VIRTUAL CHALLENGE Can be done anywhere in the World. Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way on the outer edge of Europe stretches along the West coast of Ireland. It begins in Donegal, and goes through the counties Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare , Limerick, Kerry and finishes in Kinsale, Co. Cork…

15th - 18th October 2020, Letterkenny Festival details to be announced in due course.

23rd - 26th October 2020, Online Event 40th Annual MacGill School From observing the twists and turns of the COVID-19 virus pandemic and, in particular, its onslaught on the health and socio/economic life of not only our own country but of peoples everywhere on the planet it is obvious that the MacGill School cannot take place in its usual format and in its venue of the past 40 years in Glen…

25th October 2020, Killybegs - Glencolmcille The Donegal Wild Atlantic Maraton & Half Marathon due to take place July 19th has been postponed until October 25th. With the health & safety of our community being an utmost priority, and with an ongoing uncertainty in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has been postponed to October 25th. A final decision regarding this future date will…

23 - 27 January 2021 - Bundoran The Northwest of Ireland has long been celebrated for its unique Atlantic culture and history. Now there is a festival which takes place on that Wild Atlantic Way, making the most of the cosy winter atmosphere, with the best of live music, cultural talks about the history of Ireland, outdoor activities along the spectacular coastline, and plenty of craic and ceo…

5th - 6th March 2021, Bundoran Cara Bundoran Run deferred until 2021 The organising committee of the annual Cara Bundoran Run has made the decision to defer this year’s postponed run until 2021 with the event now taking place on the 5th and 6th of March 2021. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was impossible to run the event earlier this year as scheduled and having examined all possibili…

Event POSTPONED until 2021 Due to the current situation regarding Covid-19/Coronavirus we have unfortunately had to postpone Rebel Fest. However the event has been rescheduled to the 27th & 28th March 2021. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the fantastic acts for being so accommodating in helping us to reschedule this event, to The Arranmore Blue Ferry and to Early's Bar. …

New Date: 16th-24th April 2021, Ballyshannon Ballyshannon will host the 2021 Bostik All Ireland Confined Drama Finals from 16-24 April. This event will be run under the auspices of the ‘Amateur Drama Council of Ireland’. Over the 9 days, see plays from all over Ireland compete and enjoy a host of fringe events and of course the nightly Festival Club.

30th April - 2nd May 2021, Donegal Town Following the recent announcement that A Taste of Donegal 2020 had been cancelled, a new date has been announced. The event which normally takes place on the last full weekend of August will instead by held over the May Bank Holiday weekend in 2021. The new dates are Friday, April 30; Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, 2021.

3rd - 6th June 2021, Ballyshannon Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival have announced that they are postponing the 18th Annual Festival to 2021 with the New Festival dates - 3rd to 6th June 2021. The hugely popular International Festival celebrating Ireland's Greatest Guitarist – Rory Gallagher was due to take place on the final weekend of August, however the voluntary organising co…

June 2021, Donegal Town (exct date tbc) Due to the continued COVID-19 restrictions and a ban on mass gatherings unfortunately we can confirm the Donegal Town Summer Festival will not take place in 2020. This is a regrettable decision, but one that has to be made in the interest of public safety and respect for the frontline workers. We would like to use this opportunity to thank all of yo…

12th-16th July 2021, Letterkenny The Summer School will be our 10th anniversary year and with an even bigger ‘Jammed Packed’ program of events, we hope to welcome you all again. Take Care and Stay Safe

2020 Event Cancelled New 2021 date: 5th - 8th August It is with heavy heart, that in the interest of public safety, we have decided to cancel this year’s Regatta and Festival. As one of the longest running regatta's in the country we had hoped to run the event in some form this year but given the government recommendations and in the interests and safety of everyone involved, we now see tha…

QUADRATHON 2020 HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS AND IN THE INTEREST OF KEEPING OUR RUNNERS AND COMMUNITY SAFE. WE REGRET THIS DECISION BUT AFTER EXAMINING DIFFERENT METHODS IT BECAME APPARENT THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO STAGE THE EVENT SAFELY THIS YEAR. All existing entries will defer to next year and we will be making a decision soon on reopening entries for 12th – 15th August …