Ireland in Autumn

From mid-September, autumn is a special time in Ireland, when the crowds thin out and the island reverts back to the locals. It is a perfect time for intrepid travelers to experience Ireland in its autumnal glory, with plenty of outdoor activities and cultural events to enjoy.

Walking

Walking festivals are popular in Ireland year round but especially in autumn. In the Mourne Mountains, County Down, the Wee Binnian Walking Festival runs a variety of walks from Sept. 9 – Nov. 9. The Wicklow Walking festival, Oct. 22-25, starts at the Brockagh Resource Centre in the Wicklow Mountains National Parks, between Laragh and Glendalough, with options for experienced walkers to beginners. In 2022, the 13th Annual Connemara Mountain Walking Festival takes place Oct. 29-31, a bank holiday weekend. Choose from three walks each day, from low level to more rigorous.

Halloween

Centuries ago, Ireland’s ancient Celts celebrated Samhain on Oct. 31, when spirits could visit the real world, an anniversary now called Halloween! So, expect a lot of fun activities to mark the occasion between Oct. 28-31, 2022. Start with the Derry Halloween Festival, voted by USA Today readers as the top Halloween destination in the world! In Dublin, the Bram Stoker Festival honors the local writer whose Gothic horror novel Dracula was published 125 years ago this year. The Púca Festival has events in some of Ireland’s most historic places like the Hill of Ward, Drogheda, Slane and the heritage town of Trim.

Harvest Season

Known as the Orchard County, County Armagh is famous for its amazing apple orchards. Fall is a perfect time to visit these family-run orchards, meet local farmers, and enjoy some locally made Apple Cider! You can find fresh food from local farms at farmers markets throughout Ireland, including the English Market in Cork, St. George’s Market in Belfast, the Castlebar Farmers Market in Mayo and Nenagh Farmers Market in Tipperary.

Ten Fun Food & Culture Festivals:

Sept. 10-26
Dublin Fringe Festival
Dublin

Sept. 16-18
Vitamin Sea Festival
Waterford

Sept. 16
Listowell International Storytelling Festival
Kerry

Sept. 23-25
Write-by-the-Sea Literary Festival
Wexford

Sept. 23-25
Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival
Galway

Sept. 30-Oct. 2
Dingle Food Festival
Kerry

Oct. 29
City of Derry Choir Festival
Derry

Oct. 22-25
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
Cork

Oct. 19-Nov. 6
Belfast International Arts Festival
Antrim

Oct. 27-31
Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival
Kerry

ireland.com