9 Of The Friendliest Towns In Ireland
The Irish people have long had a reputation for being among the kindest and most welcoming in the world. Nearly every town in the country has community festivals and gatherings where people come together to celebrate what makes Ireland great. In Kinsale, the community hosts several events that bring the town to life, including the Kinsale Beatles Festival and the Kinsale Arts Weekend. Heading up the coast, you will find Dalkey, which hosts a literature festival and lobster festival that draw thousands. In these friendliest towns in Ireland, you will find the kind of community spirit that makes people love living in Ireland.
Clonakilty, County Cork
On the southern shores of Ireland is the small town of Clonakilty. Thanks to its friendly residents and unique attractions, it has won several awards as one of Ireland's best towns. Perhaps Clonakilty's most famous sight is its model village and railroad. The West Cork Model Railway Village recreates the historic West Cork Railway and its surrounding towns as they appeared during the 1940s. The town was also the home of Michael Collins, an important figure in the republican movement. The Michael Collins House has exhibits that track the revolutionary's accomplishments, as well as how the discourse around him has changed over the years.
Beyond history, Clonakilty residents also love live music. DeBarra's Folk Club offers an authentic Irish pub experience and is home to live music year-round, focusing on traditional Irish folk music. And the town comes alive at the end of the summer for the Clonakilty International Guitar Festival. Irish and international artists descend on the town and perform guitar-driven music for locals.
Kinsale, County Cork
Sitting on the Wild Atlantic Way, Kinsale has one of Ireland's busiest calendars of community events. Kinsale's festival calendar begins in late January with the Kinsale Beatles Festival, which continues into early February. The town invites cover bands and tribute acts who keep the musical tradition of England's most famous band alive. In May, as spring has finally arrived, the town hosts the Kinsale 7s Festival. The festival celebrates the great sport of rugby and features more than 100 games played throughout the weekend. And the height of summer is when the Kinsale Arts Weekend takes over the town. Local artists stage live performances, sell reproductions of their work, and share how Kinsale's friendly atmosphere inspires them.
When it isn't a festival weekend, Kinsale still has plenty to offer, including an impressive fortress. Charles Fort dates back to the 1600s and still stands in good condition. It is open for tours, where you can learn more about how it served Ireland for coastal defense.
Cobh, County Cork
Cobh is a welcoming maritime town connected to two of the most famous maritime disasters of the 20th century: the sinkings of the RMS Titanic and RMS Lusitania. Because of that connection, the town has several fascinating museums dedicated to the ships and friendly staff who bring these stories to life. Titanic Experience Cobh tells the story of the Titanic and how Cobh served as its final port of call before crossing the Atlantic. And for a more general history of how the sea affected the town, there's the Cobh Heritage Centre. The museum details Cobh's past and the role the shipping industry played.
The town's art scene has also helped to establish it as one of Ireland's friendliest towns. The Sirius Arts Centre hosts workshops, exhibitions, and concerts throughout the year to showcase the best of the town's art scene. And for traditional Irish folk music, there is the annual Cobh Tradfest. Many of Ireland's best folk artists come to town to play shows all throughout the weekend in July.
Ennis, County Clare
Ennis is a town where traditional Irish culture still shines brightly. This is most obvious at the end of spring during Fleadh Nua, a major traditional Irish music festival held in Ennis. The event began as a three-day gathering and has grown into a 10-day festival with more than 120 events. The community gathers to enjoy the country's best artists and keep traditional Irish culture alive. Not long after Fleadh Nua is the Clare Agricultural County Show. It has been a fixture in Ennis for more than 100 years. Local farmers exhibit their animals in competitive classes that cover cattle, horses, dogs, horticulture, show jumping, and other agricultural categories.
And for friendly nights out on the town, Ennis has several bars that make for a great evening. Brogan's serves up Irish favorites like fish and chips and Guinness. Do some bar hopping and head to Paddy Quinn to end the night for some more local brews and live shows.
Nenagh, County Tipperary
Nenagh is home to Nenagh Castle, one of Ireland's most breathtaking manmade sights. The castle is five stories tall and was built by the Normans sometime between 1200 and 1220. The castle is open for unguided tours and remains one of Ireland's most impressive architectural achievements.
The literary scene in town is just as prominent as the castle. Every fall, the town hosts the Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival, celebrating and inviting many of Ireland's best contemporary writers. Many townspeople come out for the event, whether they are avid readers, aspiring writers, or just people looking for a fun weekend. And the town celebrates the arts year-round at the Nenagh Arts Centre, with displays of local artists and live performances.
Sligo, County Sligo
Few towns in Ireland can boast as many community events as Sligo. It seems like something is always happening around town that brings the community together for fun and welcomes visitors. The festival season starts in spring with the Sligo St. Patrick's Festival. The event celebrates St. Patrick with live music and sports in one of Ireland's best St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The festival season continues in the summer with the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival. Local artists take over the town, performing live concerts, plays, and other artistic shows that show off the creativity of the town.
And the community calendar ends on a high note in October with Sligo Live. Artists from around the world come to town to play shows that range from folk, indie, and roots music. It's an excellent crescendo to an active festival season in one of Ireland's friendliest towns.
Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim
Sitting on the banks of Ireland's longest river, the River Shannon, Carrick-on-Shannon provides an authentic rural Ireland experience. The town is home to the annual Carrick Carnival. It's a major summer event, bringing in visitors from across County Leitrim. During the event, the town has street parades, a classic car show, local food, and fireworks.
Outside of the festival week, the town has a quiet and more low-key vibe. The River Front Amenity Park offers a peaceful place to relax by the River Shannon, and walking trails take you along the river for beautiful pictures or just a relaxing day in nature. The Dock is Leitrim's flagship arts centre, with changing exhibitions, concerts, workshops, and other cultural events throughout the year.
Skerries, County Dublin
Just north of Dublin is the quiet coastal town of Skerries. It has everything you'd expect from a seaside Irish town, including a friendly community and beautiful beaches. Skerries South Strand is a two-kilometer sandy beach just a short walk from the town center. There, community members and visitors gather to enjoy the waves of the Irish Sea and the clean sand.
The town stays active year-round, with several seasonal festivals that make it a popular choice for Dublin residents. The Mayor's Fest at Skerries Mills brings live music and family entertainment to the town in June. And for Halloween fun, there is the Scarecrow Festival at Skerries Mills. The day offers family fun and a way to get into the Halloween spirit.
Dalkey, County Dublin
On the other side of Dublin is Dalkey, a town that resembles a fantasy novel more than a modern one. It is home to Dalkey Castle, where history comes alive. The castle dates back to Medieval times and now hosts tours with costumed staff who work to recreate how the castle operated in its heyday. The castle hosts events throughout the year that bring the community together, like special Halloween or Christmas tours to bring some holiday spirit.
Outside of the castle, the town is always busy with a big community event that makes Dalkey so famous for its friendliness. The first is the Dalkey Book Festival in June. Irish authors from across the nation come to keep the Irish literary tradition alive with readings and seminars on their approach to writing. The second festival is tastier: the Dalkey Lobster Festival. It celebrates the town's fishing heritage with delicious lobster and seafood in August.
Irish Towns With Unmatched Friendliness and Communities
Every small town in Ireland has a popular community festival where the town comes together for a fun week or weekend, celebrating what makes the country great. From towns with traditional music festivals to sporting events and art weeks, these are nine of the friendliest towns in Ireland.
