Sport & Culture

The Admore Pattern Festival takes place annually in July. The Pattern Feastday of St. Declan is on the Sunday, which is the ideal climax to the weekend’s activities. The tradition of the ’Pattern’ of St. Declan, patron saint of Ardmore, goes back hundreds of years. Thousands of people from near and far made the annual trip to the small seaside village in West Waterford on the 24th July each year to venerate at the Holy Well and reputed grave of St. Declan. This annual pilgrimage involved doing the ‘rounds’ at the Holy Well, as well as other forms of revelry and celebration. The tradition of doing the ‘rounds’ and praying at the Holy Well is about reviving the old traditions, while having a modern, fun-filled festival for families and other visitors from the surrounding region to Ardmore.

The Festival of the Sea is an annual event designed to promote cultural, historic and community ties between Southeast Ireland and the Southern Avalon region of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. An alternating biennial festival with the Irish which launched in 2005, it aims to link County Waterford's Dunmore East, Passage East, Cheekpoint and Ring and County Wexford's Ballyhack, Duncannon, Kilmore Quay, Fethard-on-Sea & Hook Head with the different communities of the Cape Shore and Irish Loop on the island of Newfoundland. Every year the festival is held over two weekends in May and is designed to celebrate the cultures of coastal communities, in particular local sustainable coastal amenities, especially wildlife, heritage, tourism, and industry.

The JFK Dunbrody Festival was established in 2001 to celebrate the two iconic tourist attractions in New Ross, The Dunbrody Famine Ship and the ancestral home of President John F. Kennedy. The festival is multifaceted, with live open air music, markets, arts and crafts and with a particular focus on international connections and the Irish Diaspora. The focal point of the festival is the Dunbrody Famine Ship, and the surrounding area which has international appeal. Taking place in late July. The Guinness Pub Music Trail features a variety of styles along with lots of other activities over the weekend. The vision for the future is to reach out to the Irish Diaspora throughout the world bringing them back home for a weekend of culture and enjoyment.

The Lismore Music festival is a unique Summer Music & Opera Festival in the scenic town of Lismore, standing on the Blackwater River. The Festival takes place each year on the June Bank Holiday weekend in the surrounds of the spectacular Lismore Castle. Attendees are urged to arrive early to enjoy a three course opera picnic with wine in the romantic castle gardens. A Prosecco and Wine Bar within the castle walls is present for the weekend. Tickets are available from Lismore Heritage Centre, Jonathan Ackroyd Jewellers, and online at www.lismoremusicfestival.com. Tickets and accommodation sell quickly so early booking is recommended.

The National Ploughing Championships will take place from September 24th to 26th 2013 at Ratheniska, Stradbally County Laois. David Carter and his family are the main landowners providing land along with up to 14 neighbouring farmers from areas including Moneycross and Lamberton providing ploughing and parking ground to meet the requirement of 700 acres for the 3 day event. The Ratheniska location had been mooted for several years as a possible venue for the National Ploughing Championships and was finally confirmed in November 2012. The National Ploughing Championships have an average attendance of 180,000 visitors and over 1,000 exhibitors. Ratheniska, Stradbally County Laois is set to receive a €40 million boost by hosting the 2013 National Ploughing Championships event.

The Tramore Surf & Sea Festival, run by Oceanics Surf School, is a ladies surf weekend and sea festival held annually in September. The festival promises to be an adventure packed weekend with surf lessons, pilates & indian head message workshop, kite surfing, eco walks, beach volleyball, a barbecue, and much more! Booking is essential as limited places are available - call 051-390944

Wexford Racecourse is the South East of Ireland's leading race course. The Wexford Races is a brilliant day out for all the family. The National Hunt Races are run from March to November annually. All race meetings during the racing season feature both Flat and National Hunt Races.