EXPERIENCE the unique and unforgettable event that is the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. Having evolved from the purpose of purely facilitating courtships, the Matchmaking Festival is now an iconic haven for craic agus ceol, attracting men and women from the ages of 18 to 80. This year the festival runs from 1 September to 8 October and will feature popular entertainment acts Mike Denver, Nathan Carter, Lisa McHugh and Derek Ryan. As the biggest matchmaking festival in Europe, over 40,000 people are expected in Lisdoonvarna across the six weekends, where music will be played and matches will be made.

IMMERSE yourself in the Cape Clear Island International Story Telling Festival. Taking place on Ireland’s southernmost inhabited island, located eight miles off the coast of Baltimore in west Cork, the festival will run from 1-3 September. Now in its 23rd year, Cape Clear has become a renowned storytelling festival where some of the most accomplished tellers from around the world perform. A weekend adult ticket for all events costs €75. For more information, email director@capeclearstorytelling.com.

TASTE, explore and enjoy the Feast – East Cork Food and Drink Festival, taking place 4-10 September. The event, previously known as the Midleton Food and Drink Festival, has been rebranded as a number of fringe events around east Cork have been added to the festival’s line-up. The east Cork region has a deeply embedded culture of food and drink production and this festival aims to highlight the importance of local producers. Taking place on Saturday 9 September, see www.feastcork.ie for a full list of events taking place.

DIVE into a world of music and fun at the Harvest Time Blues Festival. Held in Monaghan town from 1-3 September, the festival, also known as the Monaghan Rhythm and Blues Festival, promises to draw huge crowds across the weekend. Charlie “Blues Train” Hussey, Jeff Jenson Band and Monaghan’s own Gráinne Duffy will play at the Marquee, while the Acoustic Room will feature Doug McLeod, Sean Taylor and State of the Union. A Marquee ticket for all three nights costs €50 or €20 per night. A three-day Acoustic Room ticket costs €40. All tickets can be purchased on www.harvestblues.ie.

VISIT the Ballymaloe Garden Festival on 2-3 September. The festival will take place on the grounds of Ballymaloe House and is noted as a great weekend for garden lovers, seasoned experts, late bloomers and foodies alike. There will be an abundance of stalls at the event and informative talks will be held on both days. The festival will take place from 10am to 6pm daily. Tickets cost €8 per person, per day, with children under 12 going free. Full ticket and booking information can be found on www.ballymaloefestivals.ie.