The reason for trying to compile this list is because I've found it very difficult to track down the kinds of festivals I like and those I have found I've pretty much stumbled across by chance. If anyone reads this blog and knows of others please send on the details and I'll add them to the list.
So, here goes...
Hooves and Grooves - all around Wexford Town
Mid June over a long weekend
http://wexlive.com/grooves/grooveshome.htm
This links to the 2007 H&G website. The festival happened in a cut-down form in 2008 and hopefully, it'll be on again in some form in 2009. The music is loosely blues but it's a case of anything goes.
Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival - hotels and pubs around Dunmore East
Last weekend in August
http://www.waterford-dunmore.com/tourism/web?task=Display&art_id=43
Great festival. Gets very crowded, especially on the Saturday when the privileged youth of Co. Waterford descend on the town and pretty much take over. If you can stay until Monday the Sunday sessions are very laid back. Campers park up on the pier and there is camping near the golf course.
Harvest Time Blues - all around Monaghan Town
First weekend of September
http://www.harvestblues.com/
One of my favourites. I believe it ran for many years then missed about four. Started again in 2007. Very friendly festival where you tend to see the same faces time after time. Lots of blues but it's also a good place to see some Eastern European rock. Camping (tents, campers, caravans) at the Council run Leisure Centre near the centre of town. They let you use the facilities too!
Midlands Music Festival - grounds of Belvedere House near Mullingar
Mid May
http://www.midlandsmusicfestival.ie/
The only large scale festival you'll see here. The atmosphere is reminiscent of Cropredy except predominantly country rather than folk. Good camping facilities. Don't know if it will be on the 2009.
Irish Green Gathering - Woodbrook House near Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
http://www.irishgreengathering.com/
An Eco-gathering set in lush countryside with the Blackstairs Mountains as a backdrop. The artistry with which this festival is put together has to be admired and if you're a keen gardener you'll go home with inspiration to turn your plot into a silvan wonderland. That aside, this festival is for both the Eco Warrior and the family who would like to do more. There's loads for the kids to see and do and there is a full schedule of talks, discussions and films addressing a wide range of environmental issues. There are two stages, Main and Acoustic but the quality of the offerings can vary. No huge crowds to contend with which is a plus. All it needs is some sunshine! On the down side the organisation is a little ramshackle and, although cheap anyway, there is no sliding scale of entry fee so staying for an hour costs the same as staying for the whole weekend.
There's loads of camping space and toilet facilities are good. Check out the bath house supplied with a plentiful supply of hot water by an old steam engine (burning wood of course) . Oh, and the food is the best I've come across so far.
Blues on the Bay - Warrenpoint, Co. Down
Last weekend of May (NI Bank Holiday)
http://www.bluesonthebay.co.uk/main.htm
Another all around town blues festival. Predominantly local crowd and very friendly. Camping in the park on the waterfront. Campers can park along the road as height restrictors limit entry into the car park. Great atmosphere and outsiders are scarce enough to be a novelty.
Farmer Phil's Blues Festival - Rattlinghope, near Gatton, Shropshire, UK (this is one of the few non-Irish festivals I'll put here)
Mid August
http://www.farmerphilsfestival.co.uk/
That's actually the address (OK, there's probably a post code too but that would spoil the romance). My favourite festival by a long shot. Found it by lucky chance about six years ago. It happens in a remote valley by the River Onny, nestled between the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones. An eclectic mix of blues ish music (John Ottway is a regular) it's full of anarchic Marches (that's the English/Welsh Border to the uninitiated) types who do the kind of rural things the British Government have no conception of! If a weekend in the middle of nowhere where a deep breath of the country air (in one of the music tents) can leave you feeling no pain for the rest of the day this is the festival for you. Enjoy!
Blackstairs Blues - all around Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Mid September
http://www.blackstairsblues.com/
Yet another all around town blues festival. Good atmosphere. Not too crowded. No camping facilities although there are a few places around town where camper can park up.
Castlebar Blues Festival - Castlebar, Co. Mayo
June Bank Holiday weekend
Haven't been (yet) so can't report. Assume it's much like the other Blues Festivals around.
The World Fleadh - moveable feast, in Castlebar in 2009
over 10 days at end July/beginning August
Again, haven't been but perhaps this year!
