RTÉ Supporting the Arts | What’s on this August

This August, RTÉ is delighted to support National Heritage Week, Waterford Walls, Kilkenny Arts Festival and 23 other arts and cultural events across the country.

National Heritage Week will bring together volunteers, community groups and heritage enthusiasts to celebrate Ireland’s cultural, built and natural heritage with events taking place Nationwide from 16th-24th August. In Waterford, expect an unforgettable celebration of street art, creativity, and culture across the city for Waterford Walls, while some the world’s finest musicians, performers, writers and artists will gather in Ireland’s medieval city for Kilkenny Arts Festival.

There will be lots more music to enjoy this month too, including Dublin HandelFest with concerts, recitals, family workshops and walking tours, Esker Festival Orchestra and Choir will perform in Dublin and Galway and Chamber Music on Valentia, in Kerry will also take place this month. In Trim, Co. Meath King John Summer Prom will coincide with the 30th anniversary of Hollywood epic Braveheart, which will be its theme. Music for Wexford Summer/Autumn Series will also continue its annual series of recitals by both Irish and international musicians.

Spraoi International Street Arts Festival will transform Waterford City into a giant stage where artists from around the world will perform. In Dublin, JAIVA AfroDance Festival will be the ultimate Afro dance experience bringing together different styles of Afro dance under one roof, and The Garden Party will continue at the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre.

Also not to be missed this month, CoisCéim Dance Theatre will come to Dublin’s Pavilion Theatre with the award-nominated Dancehall Blues by David Bolger, The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh continues at The Gate Theatre, and the Irish National Opera will present electrifying new opera MARS.

Finally, the 41st EVA International, Ireland’s Biennial of Contemporary Art, will take place across venues in Limerick city and beyond until October, summer creative writing courses will continue in the Irish Writers Centre, Dublin and there are also several exhibitions to enjoy.

For more information about the events we are supporting this month, see below:

DUBLIN IMMA Collection: Art as Agency

DUBLIN Mainie Jellett & Evie Hone: The Art of Friendship

DUBLIN The Garden Party

WEXFORD Music for Wexford Summer/Autumn Series

DUBLIN Dublin HandelFest 2025

CARLOW AND DUBLIN Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas

DUBLIN Irish Writers Centre Summer Creative Writing Courses

BELFAST Belfast TradFest

NATIONWIDE National Heritage Week

LIMERICK 41st EVA International

DUBLIN The Pillowman | The Gate

DUBLIN RHA Annual Exhibition

WATERFORD Waterford Walls

DUBLIN Jaiva AfroDance Festival

KILKENNY Kilkenny Arts Festival

WATERFORD CITY Spraoi International Street Arts Festival

GALWAY AND DUBLIN Esker Festival Orchestra and Choir 2025

LIMERICK From ‘Dickie to Richard’ – Richard Harris: Role of a Lifetime

DUBLIN Dancehall Blues by Coisceim

KERRY Chamber Music on Valentia

MEATH King John Summer Prom

DUBLIN Words on the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe (Kildare Street)

DUBLIN Changing Ireland (Collins Barracks)

DUBLIN Dead Zoo at Large (Collins Barracks)

DUBLIN Irish National Opera presents MARS

DUBLIN Abbey Theatre – 120 years

Every year, RTÉ supports 170 arts and cultural events all over Ireland through the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme. Spanning film, music, dance, opera, festivals, literature, theatre and exhibitions, and with dedicated promotion on RTÉ’s television, radio and digital services, and extensive support across RTÉ’s social channels, the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme is a lifeline to Ireland’s creative and cultural sectors.

To find out more information about RTÉ Supporting the Arts and to apply visit About RTÉ Supporting the Arts go here