If you’re after a weekend jam-packed with traditional Irish music and dance, then head for Killarney from the 18th-22nd February for the 10th Annual Gathering Festival.

Celebrating its 10th year in 2009, the Gathering Festival is one of the best traditional Irish music and dance festivals in Ireland. People from all corners of the globe descend on Killarney each year for this five-day event, which features the best in concerts, céilís, workshops and sessions.

Concerts for 2009 include The Sliabh Luachra Concert on the Thursday night, a Friday night concert featuring Seamus Begley, Jim Murray, Charlie Lennon, Johnny Connolly and Patsy Broderick, and a Singers Concert on the Saturday night with Sean Garvey, Christy Cronin and Jim Walsh to name a few. On the Sunday night you can sing along to Liz Carroll and John Doyle, Paul O Shaughnessy, Harry Bradley and the popular Karen Casey Band. The Scattering Concert will take place on the Sunday night in the Ballroom and will feature a huge line up of performers including Jackie Daly, Seamus Creagh, Dermot Byrne and lots more.

The Set-Dancing workshops are a huge part of the festival and there are workshops to cater for all levels such as advanced, beginners and even children’s classes. There’s also a sean-nós (old-style) dancing class and a singers masterclass.

The Instrument Workshops focus on the fiddle, the flute, the tin whistle, the concertina and the accordion but they are not suited for beginners. If you have some time to spare, why not take in a lecture on the “Uileann Pipes” and the “Lifes and Works of Captain Francis O Neill”.

The Gathering Festival is once again held at the Gleneagle Hotel and INEC on the Muckross Road, just 1 mile from the town of Killarney.

What better place to host this festival of Ireland’s rich culture and traditions, than in the beautiful town of Killarney in the south west of Ireland. With its wonderful lakes, national park and colourful town centre, Killarney has long been regarded as the “home of tourism” in Ireland as it has been welcoming visitors for over 250 years!

If you’re heading to Killarney, then check out our Killarney hotels page – we’ve over 30 hotels for you to choose from.