Summer Music Festivals in Dublin

Summer is always a busy time to visit Dublin but a good time to catch one of the outdoor art or music festivals/concerts.

• Oxegen Festival: Ireland's Oxegen Festival is always one of the can't-be-beat best concerts in Northern Europe and sizzle Dublin with over 100 acts and 80,000 rockers at this sells-out-fast event featuring confirmed concerts from Jay Z, Muse, Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Kasabian, Florence and the Machine, Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini and Faithless.  It’s every year at the beginning of July (July 9-11 in 2010). Ticket price hasn't changed since 2008 and is €224.50 total for three days of music and overnight camping. More info here

• Dublin Writers Festival:  International writers Antony Beevor, Hanif Kurieshi, Yann Martel and multi-award winning Ian McEwan will join Irish writers Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor and Tom Murphy and dozens more at this year’s Dublin Writers Festival. The 6-day literary Festival features over 40 writers and takes place the first week of June.  More info on the website. 

• Dun Laoghaire World Culture Festival: Immersed in folk, traditional, eclectic, tribal, digital and the experimental, the Festival of World Cultures presents a kaleidoscopic program of concerts & club nights, fairs & markets, performances, street events, workshops and so much more. Ireland’s first Global Carnival!! The Festival is committed to presenting a series of world music concerts that can be experienced by all in a unique and intimate local setting while also offering a ‘passport to the world’ program of events, many of which are free to all. It takes place during 3 days at the end of July (2010: 23rd, 24th, 25th July). More info on the town website.

• Electronic Picnic: Electric Picnic has established itself as a truly unique Irish festival, set amid the rolling lawns of Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, a beautiful 600 acre estate just 50 minutes from Dublin. Fine music, art, theatre, comedy, pantomime, holistic health….plus a lot more. It is held in September (2010: 3rd, 4th & 5th Sept). More info here.

While in Dublin, you should visit the surrounding by car. Dublin car rental is easy and cheap, especially if you’re travelling with friends or family.