If you have plans of staying in Ireland for at least a year or more, it is a must to visit some of its festivals. In this article, you will get to know the benefits of attending festivals in Ireland and the top 3 Irish festivals you should check out.
Why Should You Visit Festivals in Your Host Country?
There are many benefits to visiting and enjoying festivals in Ireland. For one, it is a great way to interact with the local Irish people. One of the challenges many international students face in different parts of the world is the chance to interact with the locals. Now, festivals are a great way to do that, because people in the midst of merry-making are more welcoming and easier to talk to.
Another benefit to festivals is the chance to experience another culture in a fun and easy way.
Partaking in celebrations may sometimes feel daunting, but once you’ve done it, you will get to have a better sense of your host country’s culture and history.
Top 3 Festivals in Ireland
St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin
To be honest, what is one of the first things that come to your mind when you think of Ireland? Aside from the shamrock, it would probably be St. Patrick, Ireland’s famous patron saint.
Despite the sounding cliche, you should definitely check out St. Patrick’s Festival during your stay in Ireland. The festival usually happens on March 17. During this festival, people dress in green. Also, it is a day full of merry-making, with lots of food, music, dancing, and drinking. The festival is so famous that it is also celebrated in other parts of the world such as the US, Australia, and even Dubai.
Puck Fair in County Kerry
One of the oldest festivals in Ireland, and maybe one of the most interesting, is the Puck Fair. The Puck Fair is celebrated annually in Kerry in August. According to the Irish Post, this festival has been around for over 400 years and gathers a lot of visitors from across the country and the world.
The fair lasts for three days and begins with the capturing of a wild mountain goat. After capturing the goat, the people give it a crown, make it a king, and raise it on a platform. Moreover, during those three days, the goat is fed and watered. Meanwhile, people celebrate by drinking, eating a myriad of food, and dancing. The celebration may seem surreal and its origins are heavily debated until now. Some say the festival is of pagan origins on fertility and predates Christianity.
Oyster and Seafood Festival in Galway
Every year in September, Galway mark’s the beginning of its abundant oyster harvest with its own festival. People from different parts of the world travel to Galway to taste the country’s delicious oysters. Moreover, aside from oysters, visitors are also able to taste Galway’s other seafood.
Aside from eating oysters and celebrity cook-offs, the festival is also full of musical celebrations, and masquerades, and it has a World Oyster Opening Championship event. No wonder, this is one of the best festivals in Ireland.
Want to start your journey as an international student in Ireland? Check out MSM Unify’s article on 4-high-Demand Courses to Pursue in Ireland to begin.
