With the Summer season fast approaching and the sunny weather brightening up our days, (the sun making a very welcome appearance), Ballyhoura Country has a host of attractions taking place in June, guaranteed to appeal to adventure seekers, music lovers, foodies ……
From the June Bank Holiday weekend and throughout the month, there’s a plethora of festivals and attractions on offer, guaranteed to appeal to adventure seekers, music lovers, culture vultures, foodies, and families.
Here are the top 10 attractions to enjoy in June at Ballyhoura Country!
- Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh (June 1st – 5th):
Fans of Irish music will be flocking to Kilfinane on the June Bank Holiday weekend for the return of Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh, a weekend of Irish music, song, dance, and craic galore! Experience traditional dancing at its best at the popular Hup na Houra on Friday 2nd, and soak in the atmosphere at the Open-Air Concerts on Saturday 3rd (North Cregg) or Sunday 4th (Fuinneamh).
https://www.facebook.com/cceballyhoura
- Doneraile Court Re-opening:
June sees the re-opening to the public of Doneraile Court, on the banks of the Awbeg river in North Cork. The house is the stunning centrepiece of one of Ireland’s most beautiful estates, and for the first time, the public will be able to visit the newly refurbished first floor of the palatial 17th century building.
The OPW has partnered with the Crawford Art Gallery to share significant works from the Gallery’s collection at Doneraile. A truly special experience for culture vultures and art lovers alike!
https://visitballyhoura.com/events/doneraile-court-park
- Doneraile Park & Gardens Guided Tours (4th June):
Following a successful series last year, Ballyhoura is launching a series of very special guided tours of Doneraile Park & Gardens for the 2023 season, kicking off on Sunday 4th June. This series of guided tours are led by the knowledgeable Doneraile Local Tour Guides and incredibly talented members of the Doneraile Drama Society Group, who will be narrating some of the Estate’s history in period costumes, dressed as characters from the Estate’s history such as Edmund Spenser, Queen Elizabeth I and Elizabeth St Leger, The Lady Freemason.
Come and enjoy this unique event filled with pageantry, history and storytelling in the picturesque Doneraile Estate’s surroundings; Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/guided-tours-of-doneraile-park-gardens-2023-tickets-638751371547
https://visitballyhoura.com/events/guided-tours-of-doneraile-park-and-gardens
- Charleville Agricultural Show 2023(24th – 25th June):
Another family favourite destination is the Charleville Agricultural Show. The best two-day agricultural show in the country offers a host of events to enjoy, ranging from arts & crafts and children’s competitions to the judging of cattle, horses, sheep, dogs and horticulture competitions.
https://www.charlevilleshow.com
- Ballyhass Bunkhouse Village:
The Ballyhass Adventure Group has opened a brand-new accommodation experience, the Ballyhass Bunkhouse Village, which promises to redefine adventure holidays in Munster! Featuring 22 purpose-built bunkhouses, the village offers affordable and comfortable accommodation options, catering to all group sizes, including a state-of-the-art Nordic tipi! It’s the perfect way to chill out with friends and family after an action-packed day of activities. Guests at Ballyhass Bunkhouse Village will have access to a wide range of exciting activities, including wakeboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and much more.
Bookings for Bunkhouse Village are now open for June weekends and throughout July and August. To book your stay at Bunkhouse Village and learn more about the adventure activities offered, please visit https://www.bunkhousevillage.ie
- Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails:
Perfect for anyone wanting an active experience or break, Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails boasts Ireland’s most extensive mountain bike trail network. The trails recently benefitted from significant upgrades made by Coillte, and now feature trails to suit all cyclists, from novice cyclists looking for a fun way to start their mountain biking experience, to the more experienced riders looking for fresh challenges and routes. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
https://visitballyhoura.com/explore/ballyhoura-mountain-biking
- Ballyhoura Nature Trail:
If you’re looking for an activity that children will enjoy, look no further than the Ballyhoura Nature Trail. This 2km investigation has over 20 hidden creatures that kiddies have to uncover on their walk; a wonderful and interactive way for children to investigate the many creatures that live in the forest. The new Nature Trail is now open for everyone to visit, and can be found at the Ballyhoura Trail Head and Mountain Bike Centre. Visitors can download the Free Ballyhoura Trails Guide App to guide you through the walking, road cycling and mountain biking trails of Ballyhoura Country, as well as helping to find places to stay, eat and explore nearby.
https://visitballyhoura.com/explore/ballyhoura-nature-trail
- An Afternoon at Saint George’s:
Located in the former Church of Ireland parish church in Mitchelstown, the Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre is hosting an afternoon of guided tours on June 25th (2.30pm – 5pm), featuring refreshments and live music by local artists.
https://visitballyhoura.com/events/saint-georges-arts-and-heritage-centre-events
- Friars Gate Theatre (throughout June):
Friars Gate Theatre in Kilmallock has a jam-packed calendar of theatre and music performances in June, with highlights including Luka Bloom (10th); Sense and Sensibility (22nd) and the 10th year anniversary tour of Fred & Alice (30th).
https://visitballyhoura.com/events/friars-gate-theatre-events
- Doneraile Art Fest 2023 (29th June – 3rd July):
From the return of old favourites like Súgán Stool Making and Felting and caricatures in the park, to new workshops including Willow Weaving, Relief Painting for Teens, making a Fascinator and Childrens workshops, the line-up at this year’s Doneraile Art Fest has something for all the family to enjoy! A highlight of the weekend will undoubtedly be the highly anticipated Plein Air event at Anne’s Grove Gardens on Saturday 2nd July.