Do you fancy a trip to the old country in 2007? Or maybe you have your dates already booked? Either way, the following event guide lists upcoming musical, cultural and sporting festivals over the next six months.

The Gathering
February 22-25 The Gathering Traditional Irish Music Festival in Killarney, Co. Kerry, designed to attract Irish Music enthusiasts from all corners of the world, will feature concerts, ceilis, music sessions and dance.

Kate O’Brienweekend
February 23-25 Limerick City will commemorate the life and works of the late Kate O’Brien, one the city’s most famous authors. The theme of the weekend will explore O’Brien’s creativity.

The Kerry Festival Drama
March 2-9 The Kerry Drama Festival in Castleisland is one of 35 preliminary festivals throughout the 32 counties, which send forward groups to compete in the All Ireland Drama Finals.

County Cavan Arts Fest
March 7-11 The ‘Nyah’ County Cavan Traditional Arts Festival in Cavan Town showcases the talents of regional artists and offers them the opportunity to collaborate with visiting artists and share ideas and inspirations.

West Cork Drama Festival
March 9-18 The West Cork Drama Festival transforms the tiny village of Rossmore, West Cork, into a mecca for drama lovers. Often called the ‘friendly festival,’ the event offers a feast of ten spectacular plays that range from comedy to tragedy and never fail to delight audiences.

Belfast Film Festival
March 22 - Apr. 1 The Belfast Film Festival offers the very best in national and international screenings with workshops, masterclasses and special events.

Connemarathon
April 1 One of the world’s most spectacular marathons, The Connemara International Marathon (Connemarathon) is comprised of a full day of racing around a very scenic part of the West of Ireland. The event is made up of a half-marathon, a full marathon and a 39.3-mile ultra-marathon all taking place on one day.

Cuirt Literature Festival
April 24-29 Ireland’s premier literary event, the Cuirt International Festival of Literature brings sixty authors of local, international and international renown to Galway for readings, workshops, discussions and book signings.

Ballinrobe Races
May 2 The Ballinrobe Races take place in Mayo at the picturesque Ballinrobe Racecourse. Indulge your desire for a flutter!

Waterways Fishing Festival
May 14-18 The 32nd year of Ireland’s premiere course fishing festival on Lough Erne, with over 300 competitors.

Listowel writer’s week
May 30 - June 3 Listowel Writers’ Week in Co. Kerry is one of Ireland’s leading literary festivals whose claim to fame is that they pioneered the concept of the literary workshop.

Bodhran Summer School
June 25-29 International Bodhran Summer School on Inis Oirr in Galway Bay features lectures, classes and workshops with the best bodhran players in the country.

Cork Literary Festival
July 6-13 West Cork Literary Festival brings some of the best and most inspiring literary figures to Bantry with events that allow the public to interact with writers.

Galway Film Fleadh
June10-15 Galway Film Fleadh takes place over six days and presents over 70 Irish and international features to Galway City citizens and visitors.

Yeats summer school
July 25-August 10 Yeats International Summer School and Yeats Festival in Sligo has become one of the most prestigious teaching events in Europe and attracts students from all around the world.

Folk and Trad music
August 2-5 Ballyshannon Folk and Traditional Music Festival takes place in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, one of the oldest towns in Ireland. The festival features three nightly concerts presenting quality acts, all-day street entertainment including open air concerts, music workshops, storytelling, busking competition and entertainment for children.

Coastal 300k Cycle
September 8-9 The Mayo Coastal 300k Cycle is a two-day leisure coastal cycle to take in the beautiful coastal landscape.

Arts and Storytelling
October 26-28 The Mohill Arts and Storytelling Festival in Mohill, Co. Leitrim, celebrates Ireland’s rich legacy of written and oral folklore. One of the primary cultural events in the Northwest, it attracts visitors from all over the world.

For more information on these and other events, see: www.tourismireland.com