Donegal

Arts & Culture

Donegal has a thriving and diverse arts and culture scene, and we value and nurture musical, artistic & creative talent. We’re home to outstanding traditional musicians and groups such as Altan, who have a global reputation.

We’ve also got a vibrant trad scene on the ground, which goes back through centuries of informal get togethers. In many other parts of Ireland, this kind of scene hasn’t survived. But in Donegal, it’s still in our DNA and we’ve held fast to this valuable Irish tradition. So anyone can come along and join in the many Donegal traditional music ‘sessions’ in pubs and local venues across the county.

In areas like Inishowen, grass roots growth in trad music is also witnessing a resurgence of the iconic Irish harp. Inishowen has a rich history of harping, and was home to great bardic harpers like Seán Mac an Meirge Doherty.

We have a strong infrastructure for our arts and culture scene. These include world-class festivals and events, great art galleries, theatres, museums and unspoilt archaeological sites, like Grianán of Aileach. They also include large multi-purpose venues like the Regional Culture Centre, which hosts year-round events and programmes. And we’ve lots of small local venues, like pubs and arts centres across the county.

The Earagail Arts Festival is Donegal’s premier summer festival, offering 21 days of activity spanning the entire county. Events encompass everything from music, theatre, visual arts, film, literature, and dance, to circus, carnival and family days out.

Other Donegal festivals include Bundoran’s Sea Sessions, The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival, Clonmany Country Festival, and a range of trad music festivals.

find out about sea sessions