VANTASTIVAL
Beaulieu House, Drogheda, Louth. Friday June 3rd-Saturday June 4th
A family-friendly festival in Co Louth that makes things easy for punters. There's free parking for camper vans, and their "bring your own booze" (as long as it's not in a glass bottle) policy makes it extra affordable. Badly Drawn Boy, Saint Sister, Jinx Lennon, Sample Answer and more are playing, and for kids, there's a walled garden wonderland that encourages fancy dress. €75 for a weekend camping ticket, or €40 for day tickets, vantastival.com
OPEN EAR
Sherkin Island, Cork. Friday June 3rd-Sunday June 5th
This Irish experimental music gathering has a top class lineup for people looking for something more avant garde in their festival bookings. Sunken Foal, Toby Kaar, ELLL, Meljoann, Donal Dineen, Ed Devane, Niamh De Barra and others descend on the Sherkin North Shore Guesthouse and the Jolly Rodger pub. In an age of cookie cutter festivals, this one definitely stands out as something different.€75, openear.ie
CAT LAUGHS
Kilkenny. Thursday June 2nd-Monday June 6th
The annual comedy shindig features some of the best comics from home and abroad including David O'Doherty, Tara Flynn, Eleanor Tiernan and Maeve Higgins, as well as Bec Hill, Reginald D. Hunter, James Acaster, Sean Hughes, and the brilliant Joanne McNally. Ticket prices vary, thecatlaughs.com
GRÁINNE ALE
Gracy's Bar, Westport House, Co Mayo. Saturday June 4th-Sunday June 5th
Earning top marks for a good pun, this craft beer festival in a beer garden has craft brewers offering samples of their booze, and there's plenty of music while you drink it, from Mr Whippy Sound System, the Hip Pocket Trio, the Whileaways and others. If it's a sunny weekend and you're a fan of hops, then this will definitely be the beer garden to hit out west. Free (apart from the drink, obviously)
BLOOM FRINGE
Dublin city centre. All weekend
Bloom branches into the city with this successful collection of fringe events that give the place a bit of a green buzz all weekend. There's a screening and Q&A with Ron Finley, the so-called "Gangsta Gardener" in Dublin Castle on Friday, Yoga by Little Bird Studios in the castle gardens, secret garden walks from Dame Street all weekend and plenty of other stuff. Event prices vary from free upwards, bloomfringe.com. To see gorgeous gardens and pick up some plants you can also visit the main Bloom festival at the Phoenix Park. bloominthepark.com
FORBIDDEN FRUIT
Kilmainham, Dublin. Friday June 3rd-Sunday June 5th
Fans of hiphop, grime, and quality alternative electronic music will be hitting the grounds of IMMA in Dublin 8 for three days of decent tunes from the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Tame Impala, Underworld, Jungle, Skepta, Pusha T, Katy B, Tiga and more. A big selling point is being able to wake up in your own bed at a weekend festival, or at least on someone's couch. There are afterparties around town too. Day tickets €59; weekend tickets €119. www.forbiddenfruit.ie
LISTOWEL WRITERS' WEEK
Listowel, Co Kerry. Until Sunday
A big programme of workshops, readings, walks, book launches, interviews, theatre and more. Patrick deWitt, Paul Muldoon, A.C. Grayling, Lucy Caldwell, Mary Kennedy and more will be down in Kerry for lots of reading, listening and discussions. Prices vary, writersweek.ie
RORY GALLAGHER INTERNATIONAL TRIBUTE FESTIVAL
Ballyshannon, Donegal Thursday June 2nd-Sunday June 5th
The rock god lives on in Donegal, and every year people pay tribute, party and air guitar to a legend. There are pub gigs, open-air shows, rock concert screenings, gigs in the big top, and lots of hair. There's also a bunch of accommodation options, from camping to something a little more cosy. Three nights of concerts €30, plus camping makes it €79, rorygallagherfestival.com
BIKEFEST
Killarney, Co Kerry. Friday June 3rd-Monday June 6th
Kerry is certainly a good place to ride a Harley, with its curving roads and dramatic views. So whether you have one yourself, or you just fancy checking out a load of bikes (and bikers), head for Killarney. The Bike Village has loads of bikes on display, Harley Davidson offer free demo rides, and there's all the latest gear and accessories to mull over. Celtic Thunder and Gaelic H.O.G. Chapter members will also guide you on a ride for part of the Wild Atlantic Way. irelandbikefest.com
Dublin Port River Fest
Saturday June 4th-Monday June 6th This is always a good laugh for the family down by the docks in Dublin, with tall ships and schooners, kayaking, markets, and a chance to confuse all of the tech workers down this side of town by taking over their neighbourhood. Wakeboarding demonstrations are also worth a look, and there are pirate-themed activities to entertain kids. Free, dublinriverfest.com
