With airport queues and pandemic rules to navigate, there’s a lot to be said for staying in Ireland over the bank holiday weekend in June.
If you haven’t made any plans yet and are wondering what’s going on across the country, here’s our guide to some great events. They’ll brighten up your weekend and are a much more enjoyable option than spending hours in a waiting area outside Dublin Airport.
The Bloom festival is a real feast for gardening and food lovers. It runs all weekend from 9am to 6pm across 70 acres of Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
You can find inspiration for your own steak in 19 show gardens and receive culinary tips through cooking demonstrations. There is also plenty of entertainment to enjoy.
There are talks about biodiversity and sustainable living, and you won’t go hungry as the Food Village has over 90 vendors. Adult tickets cost €22.20, with two children free per paying adult. See bordbiabloom.com.
Wandering West Cork
Bantry Walking Festival takes place this weekend for those looking for a challenge in the fresh air.
The Sheep’s Head Way walk takes place on Sundays and is for those in moderate to high fitness (€35).
Alternatively, take a boat trip to Whiddy Island on Sundays at 11am to explore historic sites on a three-hour tour (€20). These include the ruins of O’Sullivan Bere’s castle, abandoned English gun batteries and a World War I seaplane base. Tickets and details are available through Eventbrite.
Rock to Rory
Fans of Rory Gallagher are coming to Ballyshannon in Donegal this weekend for his tribute to the famous guitarist.
There are many outdoor concerts and pub performances, all of which are free. Fans can roam the city and visit sights associated with the talented musician, who died in 1995 at the age of 47. See RoryGallagherFestival.com.
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Chef Edward Hayden is cooking up a storm in Bloom until Monday, which is taking place in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Photo: Fennell Photography 2022
Veer into Van
Art lovers will enjoy the multi-sensory, immersive Van Gogh experience at the RDS, where you’ll be surrounded 360 degrees by the Dutch painter’s most famous works.
The fascinating and tragic life of the artist is portrayed through light, sound, large-scale projections and artificial intelligence, so that you really feel like you are in the works of art.
Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey takes place in the 20,000 square meter Shelbourne Hall in the RDS. Tickets for adults are €24.30, while admission for children (5-12) is €14.17. VanGoghDublin.com
Killorglin for kids
Killorglin in Kerry is hosting its K-Fest festival this weekend, with a huge selection of music, visual and performance arts events taking place all over the city.
There are free events for kids, including a fairytale trail, yoga and Punch and Judy, and on Sundays there’s a special ‘Kids Market’ at Library Place, run by kids for kids.
Ukrainian refugees in Kerry will also share their music, art, film and culture. Many events at the festival are free. Visit Kfest.nl.
Look at the waves
The three day Wave Regatta continues until Sunday evening in the sea off Howth and offers fans of keelboat racing plenty of exciting action.
Organized by Howth Yacht Club, more than 1,000 participants will take part in the competition, and a program of coastal musical entertainment will keep everyone entertained. See WaveRegatta.com.
Laughing at Grace
The Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware in Kildare has a fascinating collection of outfits and memorabilia from stars ranging from Audrey Hepburn to Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe.
As it ends later this month to make way for a Betty White exhibition, this is your last chance to see ‘Brendan Grace and Bottler, The Liberty Boy’s Exhibition’. It features video footage and the costumes of the beloved late comedian ‘Bottler’ and ‘Father of the Bride’. Admission is free. See VisitNewbridgeSilverware.com.
Go to Headfest
The Headfest festival in Galway brings music and fun to Headford this weekend, featuring acts such as Mike Denver, Johnny Brady and All Folk’d Up.
There is a tractor run, lectures, walks, a pop-up choir and sports activities organized by the local GAA and football clubs.
Music Generation Galway runs music workshops for children and young people, and on Sundays there is a family-friendly music event with local music schools, drum groups, musicians, dance schools and champion Irish dancers. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Applause for the walkers
The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon takes place on Mondays, starting on Fitzwilliam Street Upper at 2 p.m. and finishing at Baggot Street Lower.
There are plenty of places along the route to cheer on the women, and that day there will be a carnival atmosphere with music and lots of color in central Dublin.
Those unable to participate will have the option to participate in a virtual event over the weekend, choosing the days that suit them best to cover the distance. See VhiWomensMiniMarathon.ie.
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The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon will take place on Monday. Photo: by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Have fun at Multyfarnham
Multyfarnham GAA in Westmeath hosts a fun weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
Admission to the field day, which begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, is free. It includes activities such as a dog show, dress up, skittles, rings, tug of war, wet sponge, penalty kicks, bottle draw, and face painting.
Sunday evening at 9pm there is a race night at Murtagh’s Bar.
Viola vibes
Taking place this weekend through Sunday evening, the SCS Killaloe Music Festival in Clare celebrates music and the arts.
This year the festival celebrates the viola and female composers such as Clara Schumann and Rebecca Clark. There are evening and night concerts (prices vary) and on Sundays at 3pm a children’s concert takes place in St Flannan’s Cathedral – a fun, free event for all ages. Visit KillaloeMusicFestival.com.
Chortle with the cats
We haven’t had a lot of laughs in the last two years, but that could all change if you head to Kilkenny for the Cat Laughs festival.
The comedy festival, now 25 years old, showcases the cream of the crop from Irish and international funny people, including Tommy Tiernan, Jason Byrne, Andrew Maxwell, Julie Jay and Alison Spittle. It runs until Sunday evening. See TheCatLaughs.com.