Traditionally Irish
Ireland boasts a rich tapestry of traditional activities to liven up your holiday or weekend break. With a vibrant culture of traditional music, song and dance, you won't have any difficulty in tracking down a local music session or performance.
This is especially easy in the
North West of Ireland. Take in an evening of music in a lively pub or get your dancing shoes on for a ceilí - you can learn the steps as you go!
are the organisation who promote the traditional Irish arts around the world.
For information on pubs with music, see the website of the Vintners Federation of Ireland,
www.vfi.ie.
You can even experience the energy of a real live music session from anywhere in the world at www.livetrad.com
Fleadhs are also a major part of our Irish cultural life - as buskers line the streets, festivals set small towns and villages ablaze with impromptu trad sessions.
From Gaelic Sports to the Irish Language
If watching others being energetic is more your cup of tea, why not take in a Gaelic football or hurling match, or pay a visit to Croke Park Museum to get a sense of the history of Ireland's national sports. Or indeed, why not try your hand yourself at kicking that winning point over the bar?!
Check out more at www.discoverireland.ie/gaa
Or why not immerse yourself in one of the Gaeltacht areas, where traditional music, poetry and storytelling are as vibrant now as in the past. Find out more about the Gaeltacht in the Northwest, in Cork and Kerry, and in the West of Ireland and Connemara.
There is a wealth of online resources for those interested in the Irish language, whether learning or improving, including Forás na Gaeilge www.gaeilge.ie and Conradh na Gaeilge www.cnag.ie. The Irish language has also embraced social media, for example the awardwinning website and blog at www.talkirish.com helps you to learn Irish through free interactive games, quizzes and dictionary services.
For further information on holidays in the Gaeltacht areas of Ireland, please visit www.gaelsaoire.ie
Explore an island or find fun at a festival
Check out a slower pace of life on one of Ireland’s many stunning offshore islands where traditional crafts and customs still exist to this day. You can be sure it will live long in your memory. Discover Ireland's islands.
Visit our Festivals and Events section to find a festival near your holiday destination.
Discover more Culture and Heritage.