Scariff Harbour Festival - Heritage Walks and Talks

What to Expect

Held over the August bank holiday weekend (Thursday 30 July to Sunday 2 August 2026), the Scariff Harbour Festival is East Clare’s biggest community festival and includes a strong heritage strand alongside music and family activities. Heritage events typically include guided historical walks from Scariff town centre led by local historians, genealogy talks tracing emigrant journeys from local townlands to the United States, free waterbus tours of Scariff Bay and Lough Derg courtesy of Waterways Ireland, and walking tours in the Sliabh Aughty hills incorporating folklore, mass rock visits and the story of the ancient Aughty forest. Events are organised in partnership with East Clare Heritage and local walking guides.

Good to Know

• Festival runs Thursday 30 July to Sunday 2 August 2026. Heritage walk programme published closer to the date at scariffharbourfestival.ie.
• Most heritage events are free. Music and evening events may have a charge.
• Contact: info@scariffharbourfestival.ie for programme details as they are released.
• Scariff is approx. 35km east of Ennis on the shores of Lough Derg.

Getting There

Scariff is on the R352 from Ennis and the R463/R352 from Limerick. Limited public transport; car is the most practical option from most Clare towns.