Festivals

Roscommon Lamb Festival, 4-6 May 2019

Since 2007 Roscommon Lamb Festival has been celebrating all aspects of County Roscommon’s food and farming heritage, particularly its sheep farming which is an important industry in the county for meat as well as wool, celebrated at the Festival at the Wool Craft Village. The festival also showcases the quality of locally produced food with demonstrations by butchers, Cookery demonstrations, Sheep Dog Trials and various sports events for all the family. Many of these events, which include history, music, food, drama, sport and more are free of charge, thanks to generous sponsors.

Boyle Arts Festival, 18-27 July 2019

The Boyle Arts Festival will open on Thursday 18 July until Saturday 27 July 2019 and promises to be another spectacular and memorable experience as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. One of Ireland’s top summer Arts Festivals, it offers something for everyone from classical music concerts to visual arts, traditional music and children’s activities across ten separate art exhibitions, seven workshops and 48 performance events.

The 2018 saw Aoife G and her Fairly Big Band perform a free gig on the opening night with a mix of jazz, country, blues and rock. Headliners included HamSandwich, folk with Sean Keane and opera with Celine Byrne at Boyle Abbey. Add Luka Bloom, Altan and Mundy plus others and it was a challenge to decide who to see first. Traditional Irish songs are celebrated, with audience participation guaranteed. Add traditional Irish music with audience participation guaranteed, author readings, movie screenings, musical summer camps and more.

Roscommon Drama Festival - March

Roscommon Drama Festival originally ran from 1960 to 1980 at the Royal Cinema which was then sold. The festival returned in 2007 at the Roscommon Arts Centre a short distance from the town centre. The 2018 Festival presented variety, mystery, suspense, provocation and emotions ranging from joy to sadness over nine days of drama. From the four provinces groups came with the hope of progressing to the RTE All Ireland Drama Finals in Athlone. The winner going forward was Compantás Lir with The Glass Menagarie by Tennesse Williams.