solstice in style at the perfectly formed boutique festival at Ballinlough Castle, Co Westmeath. Last year’s programme included electronic superstars Jon Hopkins and Nicolas Jaar as well as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Families are welcome; there’s even a special kids’ area. bodyandsoul.ie



Cork Midsummer 21-30

Unique events in unexpected places is the motto of this explosion of events on the banks of the Lee. 021-4215131, corkmidsummer.com

Sea Sessions 27-29

The seaside town of Bundoran,

Co Donegal turns into “Fundoran” for three action-packed days of surfing, skating and music. seassessions.com



Drogheda Samba Festival 27-29

A three-day party of Latin and African music and dance, including the now traditional five-hour non-stop samba session in the main street and a

not-so-traditional samba Mass. 041-9838332, droghedasamba.com



West Cork Chamber Music Festival 27-5

This nine-day festival, one of Ireland’s – indeed,Europe’s – most prestigious chamber music events, features 45 concerts with more than 100 top international chamber musicians. The venues are pretty spectacular, too, from the intimacy of St Brendan’s Church to the elegance of Bantry House, perched high above Bantry Bay. 027-527889, westcorkmusic.ie



Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts 28-29

Hang out with such musical acts as Bryan Adams and Kool and the Gang in the grounds of Westport House and Gardens, a five-minute walk from the centre of the Mayo town, which Irish Times readers voted as Ireland’s best place to live in 2012. westportfestival.com



July



Hay Festival Kells 3-6

The Welsh festival from the Wye valley came to the Irish midlands for the first time last year, bringing book talk galore from a stellar line-up of visiting writers including