1. BODY & SOUL, June 22nd-24th
Ballinlough Castle in Westmeath plays host to a near-perfect mix of music and zen. Along with the tunes (from St Vincent, M83, Villagers and more), there's a masquerade ball, spoken word, shiatsu and acrobats to enjoy. Weekend family tickets (for one adult and two children under 12) are well-priced at €99, with a family campsite and Soul Kids area (kiddie yoga, storytelling, arts and crafts) making it family-friendly. bodyandsoul.ie
2. CASTLEPALOOZA, August 3rd-5th
You could try to source negative feedback from this gem of a festival at Charleville Castle in Tullamore, but you'd be some time. This is the festivalgoer's festival, lauded for its camaraderie, small size and wealth of Irish acts. Camping tickets for the weekend start at just €50. The Charlatans, Ghostpoet and Jape are all playing. castlepalooza.com
3. ELECTRIC PICNIC, August 31st-September 2nd
Previously dwarfed by Oxegen, the Picnic is the biggy this summer, following the latter's sabbatical. Picnic die-hards profess the festival has lost some charm over the years but it's still a music festival with a heart and a brain, from the chin-stroking of Mindfield to the hungover weddings at the inflatable chapel. There's an array of camping options although the really cool ones will top up the €230 ticket price sharpish. electricpicnic.ie
4. SEA SESSIONS, June 29th-July 1st
Surfing and music are a bit of a no-brainer in a festival package, although Sea Sessions has outlasted other new kids on the block and this year hosts Happy Mondays, Kaiser Chiefs, Beardyman and Crazy P, along with a bunch of great Irish acts, in Bundoran, Co Donegal. There's also plenty of room for skateboarding and BMX enthusiasts. It being an Olympic year, Bundoran hosts the beach Olympics, featuring ultimate Frisbee and tag rugby. Weekend tickets are €88.50. seasessions.com
10. SPIRIT OF FOLK, September 21st-23rd
This late festival in Dunderry, Co Meath poses a mixture of folk, history, alternative therapies and storytelling. If mixing a battle re-enactment with a spot of Shamanic healing, drum circles and top folk acts, then you'll dig the family-friendly relaxed approach. For those who don't particularly enjoy the hedonism of other festivals, this might be your vibe. Tickets are €65 for a standard weekend camping ticket, €120 for a family one. spiritoffolk.com
5. FORBIDDEN FRUIT, June 2nd-4th
The grounds of Imma at Kilmainham are dramatically underutilised, but Forbidden Fruit brings the place to life. Headliners New Order, Wilco and Leftfield may be a bit jaded, but there's plenty for the kids with Austra, Grimes, Factory Floor and Real Estate. Tickets are €49.50 for a day, €89.50 for two, €115 for the weekend. forbiddenfruit.ie
6. BELSONIC, August
If you fancy a wild night in Belfast, Belsonic offers a bunch of choices in August, whether you're into the frantic brostep of Skrillex, reliving the glory years of Madness, or want to cheer on local boys Two Door Cinema Club. Nine stand-alone gigs from August 15th to August 26th at Custom House Square bring a party atmosphere to a city already having a busy year. belsonic.com
7. INDIEPENDENCE, August 3rd-5th
Another new-ish kid on the block that has managed to hold its own is this Mitchelstown, Co Cork shindig that benefits from the boom in brilliant Irish acts, along with booking some tried and tested crowd pleasers such as 2ManyDJs, Beardyman and Scroobius Pip. It’s a raucous weekend and decent value at €99 with some festival frills of a silent disco and an all-night campsite club.
[ indiependencefestival.comOpens in new window ]
8. WESTPORT FESTIVAL, June 23rd-24th
This newbie at Westport House has already impressed, with a grown-up line-up of Jools Holland, Imelda May, The Undertones, Ray Davies, Duke Special, Macy Gray and more. There's a family-friendly camping and caravan park and a kids', pirate-themed adventure area. A two-day ticket is €130, €75 for one day. westportfestival.com
9. CORK MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL, June 21st-July 1st
If you're into music that's a little more avant garde than cheering on Bressie in a field, check out the Cork Midsummer line-up taking place from June 21st to July 1st. Among other events, David Kitt is performing his album Small Moments, Resound brings together musicians, visual artists and poetry, and Moon combines visuals of the Apollo 11 moon landing set to a live soundtrack in Blackrock Castle Observatory. corkmidsummer.com