Festivals are back: Our summer picks for 2022

Festivals. After three long years summer festivals are back in Ireland and we are here at Dublin People are excited. Very excited.

The popularity and quantity of festivals has seemingly exploded in Ireland in recent years with many returning to various green fields all over the country in the coming months.

With summer only around the corner we have decided to compile a list of our favourites, be they big or small, on the east coast or west, we have picked the ones we recommend for a glorious, sun soaked (not promised), weekend.

So, without further ado and in no particular order, let’s get started.

 

All Together Now

Where: Curraghmore Estate, Waterford

When: Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31

 

Located in the lush, grand landscape of Cullaghmore Estate, Waterford, All Together Now returns for its third iteration.

Featuring 18 stages of music, spoken word, comedy, theatre, debate, art, workshops, and wellness, the festival has something for everyone.

Food and bespoke drink experiences will also be offered over the three days, as well as a breathe wellness area and Kids Together – a specially curated space for families and young children.

The headline music acts include Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Underworld, Jungle, Groove Armada, and Sinead O’Connor while young Irish acts such as CMAT, The Murder Capital and Pillow Queens will also be performing across the weekend.

Weekend camping tickets are priced at €235 (+fees) and are available here.

Family weekend camping passes are currently sold out.

 

Sea Sessions

Where: Bundoran, Donegal

When: Friday, June 17 to Sunday, July 19

 

Perhaps one of Ireland’s most unique festivals, Sea Sessions describes itself as a “three-day summer festival of music, surf, sport and partying by the beach.”

Located in the seaside town of Bundoran in south Donegal, Sea Sessions is a myriad of music performances, surf competitions, skate parks, and beach sports which draws an enthusiastic and growing crowd every year.

With the campsite essentially being on the beach, camping at Sea Sessions is essential, and strongly recommended for all revellers making the road-trip.

This year, the headline acts include Kodaline, Basement Jaxx, Tinie, and Joel Corry while up and coming artists Gemma Dunleavy and Pastiche are also performing over the weekend.

Weekend camping and non-camping tickets can be found here.

 

Otherside

Where: Rock Farm (beside Slane Castle), Meath

When: Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10

A brand-new festival, Otherside, makes our list this year due to its intriguing premise and beautiful location.

“Nestled deep in the rich forests and rolling meadows of the Boyne Valley, Rock Farm is an eco sustainable farm and glamping village which compliments our sustainability focus on this event,” the website reads.

With a focus on more relaxing events such as stand-up comedy and spa treatments, Otherside promises to find the balance between late-night shenanigans and day-time activities, providing options for all festival-goers.

The line-up so far includes acts such as Le Boom, Saint Sister, and Mango and Mathman while organisers say there’ll be “some late-night antics to dance beneath the stars.”

Weekend camping tickets begin at gin at €119 and can be found here.

 

Electric Picnic

Where: Stradbally, Laois

When: Friday, September 2 to Sunday, September 4

Ireland’s largest festival and longest running on this list returns to Stradbally after a two year hiatus.

Even with an increased capacity and additional competition, Electric Picnic sold out of weekend camping tickets within 30 minutes of going on sale – an indicator of just how culturally significant the festival has become.

Featuring headliners include Arctic Monkeys, Dermot Kennedy and Tame Impala while the rest of the lineup is chock full of local and international acts sure to draw crowds in their thousands.

There’s not much more to say about Electric Picnic that’s that not already been said. It’s big, it’s crazy, there’s a lot to see, there’s a lot to do. It is a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, tickets are pretty much sold out at the time of writing, but keep your ear to ground for the release of more tickets – it’s not a guarantee more will be put on sale, but there’s a chance.

More information can be found here.

 

Forbidden Fruit

Where: Irish Museum Of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham

When: Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5

Our sole Dublin and non-camping festival to make the list, Forbidden Fruit takes place over the June Bank Holiday Weekend, on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5.

Set to be hosted once again on the grounds of the Irish Museum Of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Forbidden Fruit returns for an impressive 10th year and boasts a varied lineup sure to attract a diverse audience.

Headliners include Lorde, Hot Chip, The Avalanches, Peggy Gou and Bicep while Kojaque, Gemma Dunleavy, and For Those I Love are among the featured Irish contingent.

The festival is also running an open call for new and developing solo artists to perform on Sunday, June 5 – on a festival stage and during the afterparty.

Two acts will be chosen from the submissions received to perform on the day and applications are open until Monday, May 23. More information on how to apply can be found here.

Like Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit is currently sold out at the time of writing but if you are one of the lucky ones to get your hand on a ticket head over to the website for more info on the lineup and what to expect over the weekend.