Carlingford & the Cooley Peninsula is bustling with things to do and see throughout the year with weekend festivals, events and activities for both young and old to enjoy!

From January to December there will be something going on all most every weekend, be it a Heritage Event, Food Fair or Festival, a Concert, Conference or Summer School, an Irish Dance or Traditional Music Festival, , 5k or 10k Road Race, Half Marathon or Triathlon, a Sponsored Walk or Cycle, Walking Festival, Sailing Regatta or just a good old Family Fun Event such as the Carlingford National Leprechaun Hunt held in April each year.

Below is an overview of the events and festivals that take place annually in Carlingford, around the Cooley Peninsula and Carlingford Lough.

Visit our WHAT'S ON PAGE for up to date event & festival information for Carlingford & the Cooley Peninsula including venues, maps and contact details .

Carlingford Leprechaun Hunt Festival

From January to December 2017

January - February

The Brigid of Faughart Festival

This week long festival in the run up to February 1st - St Brigid's Day, celebrates Brigid of Faughart, Saint and Goddess, and the Celtic Festival of Imbolc or Spring in myth, landscape, folklore, spiritual customs, music, poetry and dance. 

Féile na Tána 

Féile na Tána brings the very best of Irish traditional music to the heart of the Cooley Peninsula with workshops and great Trad sessions on the first weekend in February each year. 


March

Carlingford Half Marathon & 10km 2017

The race (Half Marathon) begins in the picturesque village of Carlingford and takes in the beautiful surrounds of the Cooley peninsula, Ballagan Point, Mourne Mountains & Carlingford Lough. The race finishes in the village.

Higher Vision Festival at Bellurgan Park

New to the annual events calendar there'll be lots of music & entertainment to be enjoyed! 


April

The Carlingford National Leprechaun Hunt - on the slopes of Slieve Foy

Carlingford's National Leprechaun Hunt invites you all to Ireland's last known leprechaun habitat - the Slieve Foy Mountain. Carlingford holds an annual Leprechaun Hunt every April. Wee Leprechauns are placed within a designated area of the mountain and only those with a Leprechaun Hunting License can claim the rewards if they can catch them!!. Visit the Last Leprechauns of Ireland for more information.

Cooley Legends Half Marathon & 10k

The half marathon is 13.1 miles and has two long uphill sections followed of course by equally interesting down sections. The course takes in the best views of what the Cooley Mountains have to offer. Sixty percent of the race is on trail, mainly over the shoulders of the two Cooley mountains braved on the day. The rest is tarmac road. 


May

The Lumpers Walking Festival Weekend

A three day walking festival on the Cooley Mountains with all walks starting at the Lumpers Bar, Ravensdale

The Cooley Coast Run

This is a 12.5k Road Race & a 10k run/walk along Cooley’s famous coastline, taking in the wonderful scenery of Carlingford Lough and the Mourne and Cooley mountains. Now an established event on the running calendar with approximately 500 participants annually.

The Táin March - Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon to Omeath on the Cooley Peninsula

The Táin March is a 9 day event that recreates the march of Queen Maeve of Connaught from Tulsk in Co. Roscommon to Omeath on the shore of Carlingford Lough to capture the Brown Bull of Cooley. Culminating in a showdown between Queen Maeve and Cú Chulainn.


June

Co. Louth Agricultural Show - Bellurgan Park

The County Louth Agricultural Show formerly know as "The Dundalk Show" run by Dundalk Show Society takes place on the grounds of Bellurgan Park close to Ballymascanlon..

Mourne International Walking Festival

Set within the spectacular scenery of the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are walks to suit all levels of fitness and ability with routes between 10km and 40km at both high and low level. 


July

Carlingford Lough Endurance Challenge

Ireland’s longest running multi-sport event. This year as well as the longer event for teams of 2 or 3, there is also the Tarmac CLEC for individuals. The event is open to two or three person teams, male, female and mixed.

Zoe & John's Summer Concert Series - Carlingford Heritage Centre

Zoë Conway and John McIntyre featuring special guests perform a series of Sunday afternoon concerts during July & August. Carlingford Heritage Centre at the heart of the medieval town has proved to be a wonderful setting for Zoë and John's concerts. The ambiance of the old church complimenting the acoustic fiddle and guitar performances beautifully. 


August

Arcadian Field Festival

A two day camping event nestled at the foot of the Cooley Mountains on the breath-taking grounds of Bellurgan Park, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

All Ireland Poc Fada Championships - Anneverna Mountain, Ravensdale

All Ireland Poc Fada Hurling & Camogie Championships are unique in the GAA and Camogie Association's calendars - Ireland's top exponents take to the Cooley Mountains each year to compete in the All Ireland Poc Fada Championships. For more information visit the All Ireland Poc Fada website

The Irish Dance Festival - Carlingford

Celebrate all aspects of Irish dance, Set dancing, Sean nÓs, Ceili dancing & more...

The Carlingford Oyster Festival

The Carlingford Oyster Festival offering a four day fun-filled festival for the whole family is packed with traditional children's activities including Magic Show, Face Painting, the ever popular Teddy Bear's Picnic, Free Kayaking in the Harbour, Children’s Funfair & Bouncing Castles.

National Heritage Week in Carlingford and around the Cooley Peninsula

Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula come alive each year during National Heritage Week in a celebration of all things past and present. Heritage Week each year is promoted by the Heritage Council which seeks to protect and enhance the richness, quality and diversity of our national heritage for everyone.

Thomas D'Arcy McGee Summer School

Thomas D'Arcy McGee was born in Carlingford, Co. Louth, Ireland on April 13th 1825 and at seventeen he emigrated to the United States. He became one of the founding fathers of the Canadian Confederation, but was assassinated on April 7th 1868.

Cooley Ploughing & Field Day

Vintage tractors ploughing, horse ploughing, threshing mills, vintage display of machinery, amusements for children, roasting of pig on spit, raffle with prizes & lots lots more. 


September

Omeath Cultural Festival / Féile Chultúrtha Ó Méith

The celebration & promotion of the language, music and dance of the Gael.

Wee Binnian Walking Festival - The Cooley Peninsula, Gullion and Mournes

With nine walks of varying grades over three days, 3 of which take in the Cooley Mountains, a Blister Ball on Saturday night gaining its own legendary status and a welcome from all the club Visit the Wee Binnians website for more information Here. 

Caravan of Love Music Festival - Gyles Quay

Carlingford Wildwood Wild Run Festival

A 10km trail run or walk with music and performance along the Wildwood Way. It leads you up through the Slieve Foy forest trails and back down along the Omeath to Carlingford Greenway. On route you will experience the most stunning scenery the north-east of Ireland has to offer.....and that's a promise!


October

Éigse Oirialla - Amhráin agus Ceol Omeath

Éigse san Fhómhar: Cairde agus Ceol. Amhráin agus Aoibhneas. Sean-nós agus Siamsaíocht. Cruit agus Craic. Fidil agus Filíocht. Sean agus Nua. Bígí linn!

Oriel’s cultural heritage is one of the richest in Ireland which drew collectors of music, language and song from many parts, over one hundred years ago, to gather its precious cultural gems for future generations. Éigse Oirialla - Amhráin agus Ceol will celebrate this unique inheritance.

Fitzpatrick's Halloween Scare-Fest

Halloween at Fitzpatricks is an experience you will never forget. Themed inside and out with ghosts ghouls and things that go bump in the night, there is something to capture the interest of everyone.

Festival of Horrors - Bellurgan Park, Bellurgan

At the end of October Bellurgan Park comes alive with spooks and ghouls, zombies and ghosts for a week-long Halloween festival. The Festival of Horrors includes a trail of terror through the house and grounds of Bellurgan Park.

Cooley Kickhams Halloween Fireworks Display

This is always a popular event with families from the whole peninsula. There is no entry fee, however donations can be made at the gate on the night to help cover the costs. 


November - December

A Taste Of Carlingford at Christmas

The Carlingford Choral Festival, Carlingford Christmas Craft Fair, Carlingford Christmas Lights Illumination, Santa comes to Carlingford, Carlingford Christmas Discount Shopping Night, Carlingford Heritage Centre - Flowers for Christmas Demonstrations.

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