Forget the weather at summer festivals

Mary Anne Kenny takes a quick tour around the country to see what’s on offer at some of the festivals being held later this summer – whether the sun makes a guest appearance or not
After the washout that was last summer, Fáilte Ireland, the national tourist board, really has to ‘put the big egg in the window’ this year to convince the poor suckers from overseas that they won’t need an ark to get around this country.

h4. 43 days of rain
It’ll also have to work hard to stem the exodus of Irish people desperate to go anywhere for a bit of sun. Even Iraq’s sunny climes looked rather attractive after last summer’s almost biblical 43 days of straight rain.
We may not have the sunshine, but Ireland has always been fond of hosting festivals. Initially, perhaps, festivals may have been organised just to sanction the heavy drinking that went on in an effort to forget the abysmal weather.
On the other hand, this has given us an excuse to hold festivals celebrating everything under the sun (or not, as the case may be).
The Smithwicks Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in Kilkenny (29 May to 2 June) affords us a chance to laugh at our misfortune.
Although the ‘city’ (yes, those inverted commas are deliberate) gets a bit too jam-packed for comfort over the five-day festival, some of the world’s biggest names in comedy have performed here.
This year, the line-up includes Rich Hall and Dom Irrera from the US and Adam Hill from Australia. The ubiquitous Des Bishop and the original Navan man, Tommy Tiernan, are part of the home-grown contingent.
Whether or not it’s because Cork has such a persecution complex, the capital of the Republic of Cork hosts damn good festivals to try and prove that it’s better than everywhere else.
This year, the first Taste of Cork gourmet festival is running from 27 to 29 June in Cork Gaol, where you can buy taster-sized portions from 12 of the county’s best restaurants (including Ballymaloe House, Jacob’s on the Mall and Isaac’s).
Of course, the Taste of Dublin festival is now in its third year in the other capital (from 12 to 15 June this year in the Iveagh Gardens), so be sure to let Corkonians know that.
These outdoor foodie festivals are a great day out if you get the weather, but if the sun gods go AWOL, you can always comfort-eat taster portions from the Michelin-starred restaurants taking part in the Dublin event (Bon Appetit, Chapter One and l’Ecrivain).
The annual Rose of Tralee Festival has to get a mention (22 to 26 August). In fairness, the town comes alive during this festival, so there’s much more to do than just watch the Parade of Lovely Girls/Roses (who all seem to ‘major in psychology’ for some reason, so you’d think they’d know better).
Also down in that neck of the woods is Listowel, which hosts the town’s Writers’ Week from 28 May to 2 June. This poetry and writing festival is a real celebration of the works of great local, national and international literary figures. Perhaps they’d welcome some of the medical world’s scribes who are in need of a creative boost.
If your soul needs a little soothing, then County Galway is the place to be for the Celtic Spirit Culture Week on Inismor, the largest of the Aran Islands (14 to 21 July).
The programme includes set dancing, traditional singing and storytelling and even basket-making and archaeological walks.
h4. Giant creations
While you’re over in the west, and especially if the kids are in tow, head to the Macnas Festival Parade in Galway City on 20 July.
Kids love these giant creations and you can re-live the papier-mâché experimentation of your schooldays (no, I never inhaled) and wish you had listened more closely during art class.