What's on
Events through the year
For a coast this quiet, a surprising amount happens on it. Some of these events are older than the State: the pattern on Mount Brandon goes back beyond record, the summer festival has run every year since 1948, and the sheep fair at Camp is one of the last in Ireland where animals are still sold roadside by handshake rather than through a mart.
Dates below are the rule the event follows, with the confirmed date where we could find one. Several are organised by volunteers and announced late, so check before you travel. The Castlegregory Information Centre on 066 713 9422 and the Cloghane and Brandon community office on 066 713 8137 are the two places that will always know.
The calendar
All year
Tinteán Ceoil
A recreation of the old cottage kitchen: local musicians lead an evening of traditional music, song, dance and recitation, with tea and scones, and visitors are welcome to join in or just listen. Every Monday at 7:30pm, with extra Thursdays in July and August.
066 713 8137
Details ↗ · Map it ↗
Spring
Cloghane and Brandon hill walking festival
Guided walks over the Easter weekend, from Mount Brandon itself down to the gentler Brandon Point loop, with sessions in the pubs and a concert on the Sunday. We could not confirm it has run since 2019, so ring before you plan around it.
066 713 8137
Festivals ↗ · Map it ↗
Summer
Castlegregory summer indoor market
Craft stalls, baking and local produce at the information centre, on selected Sundays from June to August, 9am to 1:30pm. Separate from the year-round Sunday farmers market.
066 713 9422
Dates ↗ · Map it ↗
Maharees regatta
Naomhóg racing in Scraggane Bay, with crews from along the peninsula and from Clare and Galway. First Sunday of July.
Facebook ↗ · Map it ↗
Castlegregory summer festival
One of the longest-running festivals in Ireland, held every year since 1948: fancy dress parades, a sandcastle competition, treasure hunt, fun run, country market, music, dances and a family fun day. Second weekend of July, Thursday to Sunday.
Facebook ↗ · Map it ↗
Brandon Bay half marathon, 10k and 5k
Run entirely on the sand, from Fahamore to Fermoyle point and back. The start time is set by the tide and you will cross streams on the way, so expect wet feet. A Saturday in mid to late July.
Entries ↗ · Map it ↗
Féile Lúghnasa
A Celtic harvest festival over four days under Mount Brandon: music, drama, poetry, art, guided walks, the blessing of the boats, a street parade and a family day. The last weekend of July.
066 713 8137
Programme ↗ · Map it ↗
Domhnach Chrom Dubh
The pilgrimage up Mount Brandon on Crom Dubh's Sunday, one of the two great Lughnasa hill climbs in Ireland along with Croagh Patrick. The eastern path from Faha above Cloghane is the steep one. The last Sunday of July.
Details ↗ · Map it ↗
Castlegregory agricultural show
Sheep, cattle, horses and ponies, a dog show, home baking and produce, vintage tractors, arts, children's events and trade stands. First Saturday of August. Admission ten euro, under twelves free, free parking.
087 216 5100
Website ↗ · Map it ↗
Castlegregory summer art exhibition
A mixed exhibition of painting, pottery and photography by local and national artists, over the August bank holiday weekend.
066 713 9422
Listing ↗ · Map it ↗
Classical Sessions
Three evenings of chamber music in Castlegregory and Brandon, played by an international company and free to attend. The 2027 festival runs 28 July to 8 August.
The festival ↗ · Map it ↗
Brandon regatta
Naomhóg racing off Brandon pier, nine categories from under twelves to senior, racing from 1pm, with entertainment afterwards at Murphy's Bar. Free to watch. One of the last Sundays in August.
Report ↗ · Map it ↗
Autumn and winter
Camp sheep fair
One of the very few Irish fairs where sheep are still sold at the roadside by direct bargaining rather than through a mart, with horses, donkeys and fowl alongside, a judged sheep show and mutton pie served through the day. Mid-September: sources disagree between the third Sunday and a fixed 18 September.
Listing ↗ · Map it ↗
Camp Junction vintage rally
Vintage cars, motorbikes, tractors and machinery, with sheep shearing, turf cutting and novelty events. A Sunday in mid-September from 1pm, in aid of charity.
Listing ↗ · Map it ↗
Wren's Day, Lá an Dreoilín
The St Stephen's Day wren. Straw costumes have given way to pyjamas, curtains and Halloween masks, but the music is unchanged, and the groups go house to house and pub to pub collecting for charity. 26 December.
Listing ↗ · Map it ↗
The old pattern day
Castlegregory kept a pattern day on the fifteenth of August, marked with mutton pies made in the village. The men attended on the fifteenth and the women the following day, which was called Sheila's Day. The observance has largely been absorbed into the summer festival, so treat it as history rather than a fixture, but the mutton pie survives at the sheep fair in Camp.
Compiled from Dingle Peninsula Tourism, the Castlegregory and Cloghane community sites, Radio Kerry and the organisers' own pages. Where two sources gave different dates, the entry says so. Nothing here is a booking: confirm with the organiser.
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