WHEN WE DO festivals we go hard or go home. Or better yet, go quirky or get lost.
So allow us to round up some of the weirdest festivals Ireland is proud to call our own.
A festival for Scarecrows you say? Luckily for you it’s not limited merely to those of the straw persuasion, but is open to all. Voted Ireland’s best festival in 2012 and 2013, with an attendance of 13,000 people and, of course, the much coveted title of All-Ireland Scarecrow Champion up for grabs, we defy you to find a more egalitarian beauty (sort of) contest.
We can’t promise Jedward will be there, but that’s not the only reason to head to TwinFest come August time. Be you identical or fraternal, a twin, triplet, quad, (quint, sext, sept…oct…?) you’ll find your spiritual and possible real brethren at this festival in aid of the Meningitis Trust.
Just in case you’ve been wondering all your life, there’s a convention for redheads. ‘Course there is – and it’s right here. For solidarity in all things ginger, head to Cork this summer and partake of ‘Ginger Speed Dating’ (so the ginger gene continues strong), The Foxy Fringe Festival or some of the many arts and music events that take place during the weekend.
What’s Minevention, we hear you ask, a convention for Mines?
It is not a convention for Mines, but the unofficial convention for Minecrafters – so now you know. With various events and workshops taking place over the course of the year, the main attraction is in Meath in October and Galway in November. So for merchandise, costume competitions and meeting minecrafters from around the world (you know you want to), you know where to go.
They don’t do things by halves (geddit?), these matchmakers. Between August and October there are no less than 6 weekends packed full of events for the single and seeking. From country music to horse-racing weekends you’re bound to meet someone similarly searching and solo.
A festival celebrating the king of the goats? Or rather, crowning a goat the king of the town and having him preside over all festivities for a weekend? What’s not to love? But wait! It gets better, ‘cos there are street traders, street artists, a craft fair, buskers, face painting,a pet show, bonny babies competition, a puppet theatre, music sessions, and Euroshow the funfair.
“I’m no good at judging the size of crowds Ted, but I’d say there’s about seventeen million of them out there.”
We think you might be right there, Dougal. The annual TedFest in Galway is still our top of the festivals for pure nostalgia purposes as well as a general licence to quote the good man himself. (‘”Down with that sort of thing!”) Careful now…
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