Spook yourself at the seventh annual Durrow Scarecrow Festival

This quirky festival has something for everyone, from scarecrow treasure hunts to live music to name but a few, with further information on events available on the website. The highlight of the festival is the All-Ireland Scarecrow Championships in which over 120 scarecrows from the four corners of Ireland – and further afield – will compete for a prize fund of €3,000. The festival takes place from 24 July to 4 August. For more information, see www.durrowscarecrowfestival.com.

Sing your heart out at Le Cheile Arts and Music Festival

Now in its 19th year, all of the main events happen within the confines of the town of Oldcastle, Co Meath. The lineup this year includes The Strypes, The Academic, Robert Mizzell, plus many more still to be announced. The festival also has elements of theatre, children’s entertainment, art exhibitions, comedy and lots more. Taking place from 29 July to 1 August, tickets range from €10-€21 and can be found on www.lecheile.com.

Amaze yourself at the Waterford Spraoi International Street Arts Festival from 29-31 July

This festival transforms the heart of Ireland’s oldest city with an annual feast of contemporary culture and entertainment. A festival highlight is the annual Spraoi Parade, where hundreds of locals dress in exotic costumes and parade through the city’s medieval streets at night accompanied by floats, live music, lighting and special effects. This stunning spectacle concludes with fireworks launched from the River Suir, which runs through the city. Waterford’s historic quarter, the Viking Triangle, is at the heart of the action, offering street performances, music and activities. Spraoi Festival is a free urban festival in the beautiful sunny southeast. For more information, see www.spraoi.com.

Indulge in all that Enniscorthy Rockin’ Food Festival has to offer from 29 to 31 July

The town will be alive with a huge choice of free live music gigs all weekend and food markets. Younger festival goers will be kept busy with a range of activities including a Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea party, treasure hunt and more.

Pack your bags and head to Achill from 28-31 July

Scoil Acla is a weeklong music and cultural summer school comprising of classes in traditional Irish music, Irish language classes, sean nós singing and dancing, and Irish dancing. The traditional Irish music classes offer tuition on accordion, banjo, bodhrán, concertina, flute, fiddle, harp, tin whistle and uileann pipes, with all levels being catered for. Practice and experience can be obtained in one of the many sessions held around Achill Island throughout this Irish music festival. For more information, see www.scoilacla.ie.