Green with pride: St. Paddy’s Day is just the beginning

The breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland.

The pyramids at Giza. Christ the Redeemer in Rio. The Welcome to Las Vegas sign. These global landmarks are set to join the ranks of sites like Niagara Falls, the Sydney Opera Houseand the Leaning Tower of Pisa in turning green on St. Patrick’s Day 2013. But that’s just the beginning.

If you’re not lucky enough to join the masses at St. Patrick’s festival in Dublin—this year, there’s a whole twelve months’ worth of festivals, events and gatherings in every corner of Ireland. The Gathering is a year-long toast to all things Irish with over 3,000 events hosted by locals, stretching across the island. From the St. Patrick’s Festival to the Galway Arts festival and beyond, check out these not-to-be-missed fetes.

Must-see events at The Gathering 2013:

The Cork International Choral Festival: May 1-5
This yearly fest celebrates the crème of the crop of choral and vocal music. Visitors can take in world-class international and national competitions, fringe concerts and public performances.

Galway Arts Festival: July 15-28
Celebrate the very best of the Irish and international performing and visual arts at one of Europe’s top arts festivals. Grizzly Bear, Glen Hansard, Josh Ritter and Imelda May, will play the Festival Big Top this summer.

59th Galway Oyster and Seafood Festival: September 27-29
From the World Oyster Opening Championship to the food village at the Festival Marquee you’ll have plenty to sink your teeth into. But don’t miss the Tribal Oyster Feast Off Finale with family activities, live music, cooking demonstrations, ‘Hot Oyster Awards’ cooking challenge and jive & jazz.

Dublin Fringe Festival: September 7 –22
Now in its 18th year, the Dublin Fringe Festival is Ireland’s largest multi-disciplinary arts festival with up to 525 events in more than 40 venues.

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival: October 25-28
Ireland’s biggest jazz event draws thousands to the beautiful city of Cork every October. Catch sets from your favorite jazz acts across multiple venues, including the streets of Cork! Musicians out there can join Cork Jazz Camp workshops to brush up on their jazzy skills.

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Even more to explore in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is celebrating 2013 in a big way, too. Derry-Londonderry, the first UK City of Culture 2013, takes center stage with a year-long program of extraordinary events and artful encounters including:

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann: August 11-18
Taking place in Northern Ireland for the first time since the fest began, Derry-Londonderry will host more than 300,000 visitors as traditional music takes over the streets with sessions, fun-days, pageants, marching bands, competitions, ceili bands, concerts and singing.

Turner Prize: October 22 – January 5
The Turner Prize is widely known as one of the most important awards for contemporary visual art in the world. And for the first time ever, Turner Prize exhibition will be held outside of England.

For information and event details, visit Ireland.com

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