Doolin Folk Festival 2014

Hotel Doolin
June 13th - 15th



 With over 20 musical acts lined up the Doolin Folk Festival looks like it's going to be another wildly popular weekend. Book your tickets and accommodation in advance.

 

Check out the line-up of great Irish Acts! Ferries from Doolin to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher available daily throughout the weekend.

 

For more details visit Doolin Folk Festival.   

Drop Everything Inis Oírr

Inis Oírr  (Inisheer)
Aran Islands
May 23rd to 25th



Visit Inis Oírr from May 23rd to the 25th and you can experience Drop Everything Inis Oírr. This Cultural Programme celebrates Contemporary Culture with an international flavour. The weekend will be filled with Art, Music, Design, Food, Fashion and more.  All that set in the fantastic atmosphere of Inis Oírr, Aran Islands.  Don't miss it.

Visit Drop Everything Inis Oírr for details.

www.dropeverything.net

 

Book your ferry HERE.

 

New Doolin Pier construction begins



 



The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howling T.D., was in Doolin yesterday to visit the site of the proposed Doolin Pier Project, in Doolin, County Clare. The Minister's timing was great as his visit coincided with the signing of the contract with L&M Keating (succesful tenderer) to begin construction on the new pier by Clare County Council. The work is set to begin later this week and is due to be finished around mid-2015.  

 Cllr. Joe Arkins, the Mayor of Clare stated that, "This project has been long sought after by ferry operators, fishermen and tourists who use the pier. The new pier development will boost visitor numbers in Clare considering access to the Aran Islands from the County will be greatly enhanced once the project is completed."  And he also commented that "The completed pier will be used mainly to facilitate ferry activity between North Clare and the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher during the tourist season while the existing pier will be available to accommodate other activities – both leisure based and otherwise. The new pier will ensure that Doolin is accessible in all tidal conditions, which will be of particular benefit to Doolin Search and Rescue as well as the ferry operators."

 

Founder of the ferries from Doolin in 1970, Bill O'Brien speaks to RTÉ News and The Irish Times about the new development at Doolin Pier.

 

Irish Times Reports


 Liam O'Brien speaks to TG4 News

TG4 Reports

National Concertina Convention

April 11th - 13th

Ennis

Co. Clare

 

 

 

Consairtín 2014 is a celebration of the concertin in Traditional Irish Music. This event provides a platform for enthusiasts of all ages to gather in an environment that will encourage learning, discussion, performance and fun.

                                 Visit www.consairtin.ie for event details. 

Doolin Writers Weekend

Doolin
March 28th - March 30th

Have you entered the Doolin Short Story Competition yet? Well the deadline to enter is March 3rd at 5:00pm for your chance to win 1000 euro. The winners story will also be featured on the Irish Writers' website and published in the Clare People.

The weekend will be filled with Writing Workshops, lectures, and readings by some of Ireland's best writers. There will also be Traditional Music and Theatre at various locations in Doolin throughout the weekend. 

Visit the Doolin Writers Weekend page HERE.

 

Ferries from Doolin to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Cruises can be booked here.

Russell Memorial Weekend 2014

Micho Russell Memorial Weekend
Friday, February 21st ~ 24th
Doolin, Co. Clare

Join the annual festival in Doolin to celebrate Traditional Irish Music.

Visit the official page for details on the concert schedule  Russell Memorial Weekend.

Ferries from Doolin to Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher commence in March.

Visit Doolin Ferry for more information.  

Doolin Pier Clean-Up

Doolin Tidy Towns
Saturday, January 25th

 

Join the Doolin Tidy Towns Committee to help clean up Doolin Pier after the recent damage caused by Storm Christine.

Saturday, January 25th at 12:00pm.

 

Doolin Ferry

Doolin Pier, Doolin, Co. Clare



Happy Holidays

From Doolin Pier

 



   Happy Holidays to our friends and customers around the world. All the best for the New Year and we hope to see you in 2014!

                                                          
                                                                                               Sincerely,
                                                                                                       Doolin Ferry Crew

Galway Christmas Market

Galway Christmas Market

If you're looking for a way to get into the Christmas Spirit stop by the Galway Christmas Market.

 

Be sure to visit on an empty stomach because this year the variety of craft and specialty foods is second to none. The homegrown business from the Aran Islands, Man of Aran Fudge stall will be featured at the Market. If you are planning a trip to visit the Islands this season, Man of Aran Fudge is also available on Inis Oírr.
Ferry services from Doolin to Aran Islands will begin from March 2014.



Philippines Emergency Aid Cliffs Walk

Departs from O'Connors Pub
Sunday, November 24th
12:30pm
Doolin
Co. Clare

Join the Doolin Tidy Towns committee on Sunday for a fund raising walk in aid of the Philippine Typhoon Victims. 

 

The walk will depart at 12:30pm from O'Connors Pub in Doolin and travel along the Cliff Path to the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Centre.  The funds raised will go to Medecins Sans Frontieres.  Come along for the walk or donate what you can.  

 

Please ring 086 249 1594 for enquiries.

Ennis Trad Festival

November 7th ~ 11th
Ennis
Co. Clare

Join one of the liveliest celebrations of Traditional Irish Music. Workshops, sessions, and 13 Headliners are just part of the fun to be had.

Ennis Trad Festival 2013



 Visiting County Clare

 

Burren Winterage Festival

October 25th~27th
The Burren, Co. Clare

Thousands of years before you when autumn arrived to the Burren, farmers moved their herds to the limestone 'winterage' uplands for their winter fare. This practise is opposite of many farming traditions in other parts of the world such as the Alps. The unique landscape of the Burren Region employs farmers to focus heavily on "environmental health"and alternative measures for farming.

About 1,000 families farm in the Burren today. This weekend's festival celebrates the unique farming traditions of the area. Many of the pastoral farming traditions used in the Burren today have been proven to be a crucial part in the survival of its Flora and Fauna that it is so well known for.

Weekend events will take place in various parts of the Burren. The event is coordinated by Burren Beo Trust and supported by local businesses.

Programme of Events

 

Visit Burren Winterage Festival for details.

Traditional Music & Sean Nos Dancing Weekend

October 25th ~ 28th
O'Connors Pub
Doolin

Visit here for more information on events.

Inis Oírr Lighthouse, Open House

Open House
Saturday, October 12th
11:00am~4:00pm
Inis Oírr, Aran Islands



 

 

This is a one day only chance to visit the Inis Oírr Lighthouse.

This beautiful site brings many visitors to Inis Oírr each year. The Inis Oírr (Inisheer) Lighthouse is an Operational Aid to navigation marking in the southern approaches to Galway Bay. This is one of three on The Aran Islands, the others being Straw Island Lighthouse and Eeragh Lighthouse. 

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) is the authority for all of Ireland's Lighthouses and Marine Aids for its islands and adjacent seas. The authority maintains 72 Lighthouses of which many are fitted with low energy new technology and 142 navigational buoys around Ireland, all of which are solar powered and fitted with LED lanterns.

The first lighthouse on The Aran Islands was built in 1818 near Dun Oghil on Inishmore. In 1850 permission was granted to construct the lighthouse on Inisheer. The tower and dwelling was constructed with local crystalline limestone which gives it it's distinguishing coloured bands. The lights were displayed for the first time on December 1st, 1857.

 

For more information on The Inisheer Lighthouse please visit Inisheer Lighthouse.

 

Information cited from the Brochure An Teach Solas, Commissioners of Irish Lights, 2013.

Burren Peaks Walking Festival

Ballyvaughan, Co.Clare
September 27th~29th

Get a taste of the Burren with the Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club.  Walkers may enjoy guided hill or lowland walks of various distances.   

For details see Burren Peaks Walking Festival!

Ring 087 777 9714 for last minute registration.

All Ireland Island Football Tournament

Inis Oírr
Aran Islands
September 14th & 15th

The All Ireland Island Football Tournament begins today on Inis Oirr, Aran Islands. The tournament brings all of Ireland's Island-living communities together for an action filled weekend of Gaelic Football for both women's and men's teams. All of Irelands Island's from Tory to Aranmore participate in the event. 

Good luck to all the footballers taking place in this weekends games!

Ballyvaughan Bay Hop, Pre-Trial Launch

The New Pier
Sunday, August 25th
Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

 

The Ballyvaughan Bay Hop is a high speed passenger ferry service that operates between the village of Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare and Galway City Centre.  The service will begin a trial period operating from September 2nd.  Liam O'Brien of O'Brien Line Doolin Ferry is happy to be providing the cruiser & crew for the trail period.  You can now book your journey online here. 

 

For more information about the service please visit Ballyvaughan Bay Hop. 

 

Join The Bay Hop in a Pre-Launch Party on Sunday, August 25th at the New Pier, Ballyvaugahn.  The party begins at 5:00pm with live DJ John Linnane, Water Walkers, Bucking Broncho & more fun for the family.  Hot food will be available.  All are invited so be sure to stop by and join the fun!

 

See you there!







Doolin Craft Beer and Food Festival

August 23rd ~ 25th, 2013
Hotel Doolin
Outdoor Marquee



The second Craft Beer Festival will take place this coming weekend in Doolin, at the Outdoor Marquee, Hotel Doolin. 

The Doolin Ceili Band and many more acts will be playing throughout the Festival Weekend.  Tickets are 10 euro and you can bring home your very own commemorative Craft Beer Festival Glass.  Only 6 days to go so be sure to get your tickets! 

For more information visit The Doolin Hotel site here, Clare Tourism here,  or follow The Doolin Craft Beer Festival on facebook here.

Winning Limerick

Aran Islands Ferry
Limerick Competition
August 11th, 2013

And this weeks competition winner with the winning Limerick is Lisa Dermody Moody.  Well done Lisa! And here is the winning Limerick:

Lisa Dermody Moody Come ride the O'Brien Line Doolin Ferry,
For passengers each day they do carry.
It's the best in the land
And they'll make you feel grand
With smiles that will make you feel merry!

 

 

The Aran Islands Info website runs a competition every Sunday evening at 9:00pm to win free ferry tickets.  Visit The Aran Islands on Facebook for your chance to win. Visit www.obrienline.com for information on the Aran Island Ferries. 

Feakle International Music Festival

August 7th ~ August 12th
Feakle, Co. Clare



The 26th International Festival of Traditional Irish Music will take place this week in Feakle, Co. Clare.  There will be work shops, sessions, puppet shows, set & sean-os dancing lessons, and more!  

The Festival Office will be in the Community Centre- Feakle from Wednesday, August 7th for details on the weeks' events.  

For more information please visit The Feakle Music Festival on line here.