Make a Kerry cultural festival part of your 2023 summer staycation in Ireland

Many of these festivals are decades, even centuries, old and are a huge source of pride to the people who organise them. As well as the better-known festivals, many parishes hold their own festivals, and these are worth visiting if sampling Kerry life is your aim.

Among the most notable ones are Listowel Writers’ Week in June. As one of Ireland’s oldest Literary and Arts Festivals, this is where writers, artists and poets congregate in the beautiful heritage town of Listowel. The festival promotes the writing of all genres and creates an environment where literature can be appreciated by the widest possible audience – gathering writers and readers to celebrate the written word together.

The Rose of Tralee Festival dates back to 1959, but with roots that stretch back to an older local festival. The Rose of Tralee Festival has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, celebrated in Irish communities from the USA to New Zealand and everywhere in between. This is one for the diary in August.

Also in August is one of Ireland’s oldest festivals: Puck Fair. This festival creates the kind of majestic and unique atmosphere found in no other festival. Over three-days of fun, this family-friendly street festival is like no other, and that’s a promise.

October brings the Dingle Food Festival. This festival includes cookery demonstrations, wine tastings, food trails, and over 50 market stalls, and children’s events. The Dingle Food Festival is by far one of the fastest growing festivals in Ireland and definitely one for the short list. Be sure to watch out for other festivals in Kerry throughout 2023.