Connemara Ireland - Connemara Events   

2008 January

2008 February

2008 March

2008 April

2008 May

Connemara Mussell Festival Renvyle
Friday 2nd May - Monday 5th May 2008
A celebration of Killary Mussels harvested on the glorious Renvyle Peninsula in North Connemara.
Phone: 086 8222447

Joe Heaney Commemorative Festival
Friday 2nd May to Sunday 4th May, 2008
The Féile Chomórtha Joe Éinniú is held every year in the heart of Connemara in the town of Carna. The renowned sean nós singer, Joe Heaney, called Carna home and the town has celebrated his memory every year since his death during the mid-eighties. The programme of events includes sean nós music, sean nós dancing, workshops, a singing competition for the kids and plenty of other events to make this céilí a festival to remember.
Contact: 095 33599 

Inishbofin Community Arts Festival
Friday 9th May - Sunday 11th May 2008
The programme includes a wide and varied list of events. With music, the visual arts, workshops, arts and crafts and much more to offer.
Contact: Simon Murray. Inishbofin Community Arts Festival.
Phone: 095 45861
EMail : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.inishbofin.com/

Connemara Bog Week
Friday 23rd May - Monday 2nd June 2008
The annual celebration of environment and landscape in Letterfrack. Ten day multi layered festival- celebration of landscape – Conamara Walkabout, Fun Run etc lots of traditional music with the Kane sisters, Mick Kinsella, Dessie O’Halloran, Mary Staunton, Tola Custy etc. Music & dance workshops, art exhibition, schools programme are also part of the week.
Contact: Leo Hallissey, Conamara Environmental Educational & Cultural Centre, Letterfrack, Co. Galway email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Phone 095 41034/43443

2008 June

Alcock & Brown Air Show
Sunday 15th June
3.00-5.00 Aillebrack, Ballyconneely. The climax of the Alcock & Brown weekend will be an Air Show on Sunday 15th of June when the Connemara skies will open up with spectacular aeronautical displays between 3pm and 5pm in Aillebrack, Ballyconneely, near Connemara Golf Club. Featured acts will include the Air Corps Pilatus PC9s,The Casa 235 & their new arrival The Augusta Westland 139 . There will also be displays from Dave Bruton & Jimmy Griffin. Helicopter rides with Executive Helicoptors, Bouncy Castles & Face Painting will ensure a family fun filled day. Entertainment on site will also be provided by the Air Corps Piper Band. Admission: €20 per car to include parking & Souvenir Brochure.
Parking Only In Approved Car Parks. Cars Parked Inappropriately will be Clamped & Towed Away.
http://www.clifden.ie

Clifden Open Boat Competition
(TBA - Third Week June)
Clifden Sailing Event. The Clifden Boat Club will be hosting the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Event in July - see our website for full details.
Contact: 095 44322
http://www.clifdenboatclub.com/

Roundstone Arts Week
Friday 27th June - Monday 30th June 2008.
Wednesday 2nd July 2008 - Irish Night.
Friday 4th July - Monday 7th July 2008.
The 2008 Roundstone Art's Week will be held over a period of 2 long weekends. A week full of music, art, theatre, children's events, culture and literature in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland.
Phone: Anne Coneely 095 35871
http://www.roundstoneartsweek.net

2008 July

Roundstone Regatta
Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th July 2008
Roundstone Regatta is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, traditional sea festivals in the West of Ireland, dating back to the 1890s. It incorporates both traditional sailing vessels of the West Coast (Galway hookers, leath bháid and gleoiteógs), and currach racing (rowing) from the traditional timber Currachs to the canvas racing Currachs and Naomhoga. The Regatta caters for all ages and classes of boys and girls in the rowing classes, as well as men and women.
Contact :Michael King Tel. 095 35200 or 087 673 8198
http://www.roundstoneregatta.com/

Ballyconneely Pony Show
Sunday 20th July 2008
This annual event is one of the largest in the area but with its setting in Connemara giving it the edge it can easily be said to be the most beautiful. With a dog show, a craft show and lots more there is fun to be had for all the family.Takes place on the 3rd Sunday in July.
Contact: Noel Sweeney Tel. 087 667 4804

Claddaghduff Pony Show
Sunday 27th July 2008
The Claddaghduff Pony Show takes place at the showfield in Claddaghduff village, overlooking the stunningly-beautiful Omey Strand and Island. There are classes for in-hand and ridden Connemara ponies, non-pedigree sheep, cattle and dogs. A great day out with entertainment for all the family.
Phone: 095 21951 or 087 2786795

2008 August

The Cashel (Pony) Show
Sunday 3rd August, 2008
The Cashel Show includes a pony and dog show, with various classes. The pony show commences at 10.00 and the dog show commences at 14.00.
Contact Mairtin Nee Tel 087 222 6668 Phone: 087 634 3299

Omey Races
Monday 4th August, 2008
Omey Races (horse racing on the beach) on Omey Strand. Omey is a tidal island located near Claddaghduff, a few miles from Clifden, in the western edge of Connemara. The start time depends on the tide but usually around 11.30 am, and of course the finish time also depends on the tide. Contact: 095 22622

Tour de Bog Cycle
Thursday, 7th August, 2008
This is a family fun bycicle ride from Roundstone to Ballyconeelly accross the Bog Road and back to Roundstone. One of the greatest things is that there are medals for all sorts of categories, such as the most colourful dress, best hat, most colourful legs and craziest looking bike. The event takes place the day after the August Bank Holiday. Contact: Richard de Stacpoole, Tel. 095 35044 / 086 82 15153

Selection of the Show Queen (Part of The Festival of the Connemara Pony)
Monday 17th August, 2008 8pm
A competition in the Station House Hotel to select the Queen of the show and to announce the opening of the show.
Venue: Station House Hotel, Clifden, Co. Galway

Visit to the Society Connemara Pony Herd (Part of The Festival of the Connemara Pony)
Tuesday 18th August, 2008 3pm
An open day for all visitors interested in the Connemara Pony. A viewing of the Society's herd located at the Connemara National Park, Letterfrack, followed by a seminar on the Connemara Pony.
Venue: Connemara National Park, Letterfrack, Co. Galway

Performance Day (Part of The Festival of the Connemara Pony)
Wednesday 20th August, 2008
Michael Diskin will give a seminar in the Station House Hotel at 11am on In-breeding. A parade of Driven Connemara Ponies around Clifden takes place at 1pm.
At 2pm there will be a dressage demonstration. The Final of the Connemara Pony Loose Jumping Competition will take place in the Sand Arena at The Showgrounds at 3pm.
Venue: Clifden, Co. Galway

Clifden Pony Show Week (Part of The Festival of the Connemara Pony)
Thursday 21 August, 2008
The highlight of the week, this is a world famous event attracting visitors from all over the world. Other events at the show include: International Irish Dancing Competition; Dog Show; and Domestic Arts Show.
Contact: Mr. Michael Ward Tel 095 21863
http://www.cpbs.ie

Connemara Pony Sales (Part of The Festival of the Connemara Pony)
Friday 22nd August, 2008
This is an opportunity for buyers from all over the world to purchase a Connemara Pony.
Venue: Clifden Mart, Clifden, Co. Galway

Oughterard Agricultural Show
Saturday 23rd to Sunday 24th August 2008
Show includes Connemara Pony Performance Championships, competions to include ponies, donkeys, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, as well as domestic arts, flowers and horticulture. Also Irish music and dancing.
Phone: 091 552462
http://www.oughterardshow.com

Roundstone Community Games
Monday 25th August, 2008
Roundstone Community Games will take place at the Greenfield (opposite Roundstone House Hotel), in the village of Roundstone.
Contact: 095 35044 

Roundstone Summerfest
Thursday August, 14th - Sunday August 17th, 2008
In the month of August the town comes alive with a jovial atmosphere of concerts, competitions and things to do for the whole family. Children benefit from this extravaganza the most with highlights include the Helicopter demonstration of the Sea recue ,and the golf putting competition where people put into a island which has the final hole.
Contact: Thomas King 086 987 8409, or Simon Ashe 087 996 2424
http://www.roundstonesummerfest.com

2008 September

2008 October

Leenane Ram Fair
Thursday, 23rd October, 2008
In late October and November, the rams are let out; “tupping time”. Farmers will change rams every couple of years to avoid inbreeding, and the Annual Blackface Ram Fair is held in Leenane. It is a huge social occasion. The first farmers arrive at five in the morning, and the early birds can be seen moving through the morning darkness with torches to get a first look at the stock available. Leenane

Letterfrack Conamara Sea Week
Friday 17th October to Monday 27th October 2008
Letterfrack is the venue for the annual Conamara Sea Week festival. This is a multi layered event with its usual mix of artistic, cultural and sporting events involving the whole community adults and children and all wrapped up in mighty traditional music. A celebration of our Marine Heritage -  conference, cultural events, book fairs all wrapped in mighty traditional music with such players as Sharon Shannon, Sean Tyrell, Conor Keane, Josephine Marsh etc and lots of local players/singers.
CEECC, Letterfrack, Co Galway Phone No. 095 41034/43443 email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it http://www.ceecc.org

2008 November

2008 December