Festivals

Festivals in the area celebrating all things cultural, events for a variety of interests and events for all the family. Whether you’re interested in jazz, folk, traditional or classical music, literature, film, botany, gardens, walking, or food culture there is something to suit everyone. We love supporting local festivals and events so do get in touch if you are looking for accommodation options.

The boutique festival packing a bombastic artistic punch on May Bank Holiday weekends seeing over 40 performances that range from big name concerts to small workshops, from lively pub gigs to intimate side shows and a healthy dose of fringe attractions to compliment.

Film lovers are welcomed with the Schull’s annual FFF – a major showcase for Irish and International short film production held in last week in May in up to 20 different venues around the village of Schull,

An annual highlight in the Irish literary calendar held in July in Bantry, a week-long celebration of writing and reading for people of all ages with varied programme of readings, talks and week-long workshops.

Held every June Bank Holiday weekend with organised guided walks over a range of walking and hiking routes in stunning parts of Bantry and the surrounding area.

A five-day festival held each August in featuring a series of performances covering the full spectrum of Irish traditional music. Performances take place in Bantry House, one of Ireland’s most exquisite historic mansions, and in one of Bantry’s other special venues, St Brendan’s Church.

Concerts, masterclasses, talks and instrument making workshops. All the venues have an intimacy so vital for chamber music which creates a special community of musicians and music-lovers.

Held in August in Bantry, Glengarriff, and Ballylickey, celebrating the life and work of Ireland’s first female botanist. The festival includes a programme of workshops, exhibitions, walks, talks, boat trips and other events linked to botany, botanical art, landscape and letter writing.

Sixteen beuatiful gardens to visit from Enniskeane to Castletownbere, from ‘big house’ formality to cottage garden informality there is something to please everyone.

Celebrating West Cork’s unique food culture and the people and land that produce that food. The festival is a culinary adventure and a pure joy to the senses held in September in over 50 local towns including Bantry, nearby villages and 9 West Cork islands, including Whiddy Island.

From the impressive display of championship horses, cows, sheep, and poultry, to the glamorous fashion show and traditional dancing, food, crafts and entertainment – fun for all the family at this annual event held in September.

Discover how stone has shaped our lives and imaginations, and unleash your own creativity as you learn from stone masons, carvers, and sculptors and immerse yourself in learning ancient skills.

Bantry comes alive to the sound of revving engines and motor rally cars racing for the winners podium during the October Bank Holiday. There is a fantastic parade of rally sports cars around Wolfe Tone Square to launch the rally and it is a fantastic spectacle to behold.