Dursey Island Summer Festival
THE DURSEY ISLAND SUMMER FESTIVAL 17th and 18th June, 2023
A family festival which showcases Dursey Island, the Dursey Island Summer Festival was first launched in 2011 with the aim of showcasing the island as not only somewhere to visit, but also to encourage people to relocate and set up home on the island. Cork is one of only six counties in the country to have permanent island communities; seven West Cork islands are inhabited.
Visitors attending the festival are encouraged to ‘be an islander’ for the weekend. All activities on the island are free. A variety of activities and events are on offer on the island, as can be seen in the timetable below. Islanders themselves organise and participate in many of the events throughout the weekend, and are on hand to discuss their experiences of island life with visitors.
There are free refreshments, including tea, coffee and home baking available throughout the weekend at Dursey Cottage. Fundraising donations are accepted in lieu for our local RNLI station in Castletownbere. More than €3,600.00 has been collected since the festival started in 2011.
Further details of events taking place on the other West Cork islands during the summer can be found at www.westcorkislands.com.
A family festival which showcases Dursey Island, the Dursey Island Summer Festival was first launched in 2011 with the aim of showcasing the island as not only somewhere to visit, but also to encourage people to relocate and set up home on the island. Cork is one of only six counties in the country to have permanent island communities; seven West Cork islands are inhabited.
Visitors attending the festival are encouraged to ‘be an islander’ for the weekend. All activities on the island are free. A variety of activities and events are on offer on the island, as can be seen in the timetable below. Islanders themselves organise and participate in many of the events throughout the weekend, and are on hand to discuss their experiences of island life with visitors.
There are free refreshments, including tea, coffee and home baking available throughout the weekend at Dursey Cottage. Fundraising donations are accepted in lieu for our local RNLI station in Castletownbere. More than €3,600.00 has been collected since the festival started in 2011.
Further details of events taking place on the other West Cork islands during the summer can be found at www.westcorkislands.com.
Event Timetable for Dursey Island Summer Festival 2023 (Events are Free of Charge):
Saturday 17th June:
12.00pm (12:00): Celebration of Mass at Dursey Cottage in Ballynacallagh Village, all welcome
2.00pm (14:00): Traditional Irish music and set dancing session.
Sunday 18th June:
11.30 a.m. (11.00) : Guided tour of Dursey Island by Carine McNally. Starting point at the cable car on the island.
The Dursey Island Summer Festival is sponsored by Cork County Council and Supervalue, Castletownbere
12.00pm (12:00): Celebration of Mass at Dursey Cottage in Ballynacallagh Village, all welcome
2.00pm (14:00): Traditional Irish music and set dancing session.
Sunday 18th June:
11.30 a.m. (11.00) : Guided tour of Dursey Island by Carine McNally. Starting point at the cable car on the island.
The Dursey Island Summer Festival is sponsored by Cork County Council and Supervalue, Castletownbere

The West Cork Islands Weekend, June, 2015 was a great success on Dursey Island with over 700 euro raised in voluntary donations in aid of the RNLI Castletownbere. Pictured are Rosarie O'Neill, Treasurer of Dursey Island Development Association presenting the cheque to Sheila O'Driscoll, Head of Fundraising, RNLI Castletownbere.
Photos from the festival in June 2014

The West Cork Islands Weekend, June, 2014 was a great success on Dursey Island with over 700 euro raised in voluntary donations in aid of the RNLI Castletownbere. Pictured are Rosarie O'Neill, Treasurer of Dursey Island Development Association presenting the cheque to Sheila O'Driscoll, Head of Fundraising, RNLI Castletownbere, Brian O'Driscoll, Lifeboat Coxswain, Castletownbere and Anne Finch, Treasurer, RNLI Castletownbere.