Jameson Dublin International Film Festival

Where: (information) 50 Upper Mount Street, around St Stephen's Green
When: Feb
Tel & website: 635 0290/www.dubliniff.com
Rising from the ashes of the much-maligned Dublin International Film Festival, this new event seems to be succeeding where the other failed. It celebrates the best of Irish and world cinema in screenings across the city, backed up by events that let fans meet Irish screenwriters, directors and actors.

St Patrick's Day Parade & Festival

Where: various venues
When: 17 Mar
Tel & website: 676 3205/www.stpatricksfestival.ie
It's the world's best excuse for a drink or seven: the feast day of a Welshman who ran the snakes out of Ireland. Over the past few years, the day has been comprehensively glammed up. The parade still forms the core of the celebrations, with some of Europe's brightest street performers and some of the world's loudest pyrotechnics. There's also a five day festival of top-class entertainment including concerts, exhibitions, street theatre, deafening fireworks and general frivolity. Pubs and bars are packed to the rafters from morning to night.

Dublin Writers Festival

Where: various venues
When: June
Tel & website: 881 9613/www.dublinwritersfestival.com
Drawing together 50-odd writers and poets from all over the world, this increasingly high-profile literary event dishes up a banquet of readings, discussions and public debates. Programmes tend to be adventurous, with readings from heavyweights like Julian Barnes sitting comfortably beside an introduction to contemporary Arab writing. Try not to miss the Rattlebag poetry slam, where members of the public compete for a prize.
 

Bloomsday Festival

Where: James Joyce Centre
When: 16 June
Tel & website: 878 8547/www.jamesjoyce.ie
Held every year around 16 June, the date on which Ulysses is set, and taking its name from the novel's central character, the Bloomsday Festival commemorates Bloom's 'walking out' with a week-long celebration. Readings from Joyce, performances, excursions and meals help recreate the atmosphere of 1904 Dublin. Booking is strongly advised.
 

Oxegen

Where: Punchestown Racecourse
When: mid July
Website: www.oxegen.ie/www.mcd.ie
Filling the gap left by the much-missed Witness festival, Oxegen is one of Ireland's only multi-stage festivals. Staged over three days at the Punchestown Racecourse in County Kildare, the 2008 line-up included the Kings of Leon, Editors, REM, Kaiser Chiefs, Stereophonics, Groove Armada, the Pogues and the Prodigy, among many others.
 

Liffey Swim

Where: Rory O'More Bridge to Custom House Quay
When: Sat late Aug/early Sept
Website: www.dublincity.ie
Attempted generally by the very brave or the extremely foolhardy, this annual swimming race begins at the Rory O'More Bridge (near the Guinness Brewery) and ends 1.5 miles (2km) downstream at the Custom House. It was first undertaken by a handful of cold water enthusiasts back in 1920, and these days it attracts about 400 swimmers of all ages. It is organised by the Irish Amateur Swimming Association.
 

Dublin Fringe Festival

Where: selected venues across town
When: Sept
Tel & website: 817 1677/www.fringefest.com
The Fringe is such an established event it hardly deserves the term 'fringe'. It's usually a mixed bag, but it has its moments. The festival is dedicated to providing a focus for new companies, though it also acts as a test bed where veteran companies can try out new material. The emphasis is on the unusual, and performances are innovative. The huge demand for venues during the event has sometimes forced companies to adapt quickly: previous performances have taken place in the city's public toilets and in parked cars.
 

Dublin Theatre Festival

Where: various venues
When: Sept-Oct
Tel & website: 677 8899/www.dublintheatrefestival.com
This has been a showcase for the best of Irish and world theatre since its foundation in 1957. It not only provides a stage for emerging local talent, but also attracts international productions. Most of the city's theatrical venues host festival events, and the
programme is usually varied; sometimes it follows a specific theme. Be sure to book in advance.