From soaring opera to oyster extravaganzas, the island of Ireland offers the finest festival fare all through the autumn season – with the Beer festival, Matchmaking festival, Seafood festival, cultural fest, theater, arts and you name it…

ABV Beer Festival, 1–2 September

Returning to Belfast for a third year, and hosted in a former Victorian-era church, this one is about beer cocktails on tap, fantastic local food and exceptional brewers talking about their craft.

Demonstrative Image – taken from www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk Picture by Woodworks Filly/Campbell

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, 1 September – 8 October

Europe’s biggest and liveliest singles festival takes place in Lisdoonvarna in County Clare on the rugged Wild Atlantic Way and attracts some 60,000 people seeking love, a bit of fun and a great party.

Demonstrative Image – Photo Credit: Eamon Ward & The Outing LGBT Music & Matchmaking Lisdoonvarna Ireland

Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival, 22– 24 September

Sensational seafood is at the heart of this gourmet festival. It’s the planet’s oldest recorded oyster festival and features the World Oyster Opening Championship as well as music, seafood trails, heritage events and family fun.

Photo Courtesy: Ireland.com

 Culture Night, 22 September

Autumn is the season of non-stop festivities in Dublin, and this celebration of culture, creativity and arts is a major highlight. Take part in hundreds of free events in the capital – and many other cities and towns across the island. Anything goes on this special night: tours, demonstrations, talks, exhibitions, gigs, street art, drama…

Dublin Theatre Festival, 28 September – 15 October

Celebrating its 60th year in 2017 and another Dublin Festival Season highpoint, this theatre-fest presents a sublime programme of Irish and international work exploring every aspect of the human condition. Productions include a new adaptation of Ulysses and the Irish premiere of Tribes.

Photo Credit: www.dublintheatrefestival.com

Belfast International Arts Festival, 6–28 October 

There’s always an eclectic programme at this internationally renowned festival, featuring the best of contemporary theatre, dance, visual, film and digital arts, plus classical and roots music and literature. Highlights this year include a gravity-defying, circus-influenced theatre spectacle.

Photo Credit: Taylor Mac

Wexford Festival Opera, 19 October – 5 November

Winner of the Best Festival category at the 2017 International Opera Awards, Wexford Festival Opera is a world-class premier event hosting over 60 performances including its trademark three forgotten masterpieces.

Pic credit: irelandresponds.ie

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, 27–30 October

Regarded as Europe’s premier jazz festival, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival welcomes top artists from around the world for some high-octane performances in venues and streets across Cork city.

Pic courtesy: blangua.com

Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival, 29 October – 1 November 

The best place to be on Halloween is Derry~Londonderry when the City of Bones dons its supernatural cloak and stages one of the greatest Halloween celebrations in the world.

Jane d’Cruz is Consulting Editor for UdaipurTimes @ Mumbai