From the Samhlaíocht Arts Easter Festival to the Fairyhouse Racing Festival or the Galway Comedy Festival our guide covers the top 5 Easter Festivals in Ireland for 2009.

Samhlaíocht Easter Festival - Tralee, Kerry

Imagination is this year’s theme for the popular Samhlaíocht Easter Arts and Children’s Bumble Bee Festival. The Festival takes place from the 11th April to the 13th April, in and around Tralee town.

Over the Easter weekend there is an extensive programme of events featuring music, literature, art exhibitions, workshops, drama, dance and of course the highlight of the event has to be the very colourful Samhlaíocht Festival Parade, which gets bigger and better with each passing year.

Fairyhouse Easter Festival - County Meath

The Fairyhouse Easter Festival (make sure you pencil in April 12th to the 15th in your diary) is one of the top events in the year’s racing calendar. Big races include the Powers Gold Cup Novice Chase, the Ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle and the highlight of the Festival has to be the Grand National on Easter Monday.

So to be part of the excitement for this year’s Easter meeting.

Galway Comedy Festival - Galway city

Now there is nothing better than a good laugh to cure all ills and Galway could be the answer to your prayers over the Easter weekend.

Comedians from all over the world and of course our own local talent will be doing their utmost to raise a laugh from you.

The festival takes place from the 9th to the 13th April in various venues throughout the city.

Titanic Made in Belfast Festival - Belfast city

The most famous ship in nautical history will be the focus of attention during this annual festival which takes place between the 11th and the 19th of April.

For festival week, the organisers have put together a series of events which include, “Titanic: Designed and Built in Belfast Exhibition”, Titanic Walking Tours, Titanic Commemoration Service and a Belfast Titanic Society Dinner (which actually takes place before the festival on the 4th of April)

Tipperary Vintage Car Rally - Tipperary Racecourse, Co Tipperary

Tipperary Vintage Car Rally takes place on Easter Sunday (12th April) at Tipperary Racecourse with a range of vintage and classic vehicles on display.

Events taking place at the rally include, tractor balancing, stripping down and re-building a Ferguson tractor against the clock, and a photographic competition. The kids aren’t left out either, as there is a bouncy castle and merry-go-round on site and also mini quad bikes for over 8’s.

So that’s just a brief run down on some of the festivals that are happening over the Easter Holidays in Ireland.

Mairead writes for GoIreland.com - Ireland’s leading travel and accommodation website.

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