Make the most out of the longer spring days with a range of events all weekend
These events may be a week before Easter, but there won’t be a bunny in sight. Soak up the culture of an exciting festival or an ovation-worthy stage performance. Take a stroll through an Irish city hub, or find your new favourite top. It’s all happening this weekend.
Festival festivities
Arguably Ireland’s most cultured city, Galway plays host to the Cúirt International Festival of Literature for the last weekend. Catch authors like Oh My God What a Complete Aisling duo Sarah Breen and Emer McLysaght with Bethany Rutter, or Breaking Point author Edel Coffey in conversation with Miriam O’Callaghan. Both insightful talks are pay-what-you-can. Head to the Pálás Cinema for Matilda or Brokeback Mountain. Take a look at the packed programme here and plan your perfect weekend.
Ballydehob Tradfest kicks off in the West Cork village and it’s an ideal base for any traditional music fans and country explorers. Running from Friday to Sunday, festival-goers can soak up the atmosphere and find a new favourite band. Keep an eye out for information about the Jazz fest at the end of this month, also taking place in Ballydehob. For more culture in Cork, UCC’s Rebound Festival launches this weekend from MA students at the university. From oil painting to theatre and spoken word, the arts festival will enliven key parts of the busy city.
In Co Laois, the Festival of Flight kicked off on Thursday, running until Sunday, 10 April. Celebrate the rich history of aviation and exploration in Laois with music events, arts and science workshops, history talks and films.
Sister sister
If you’re shopping this weekend, head to Kildare Village for a visit to a gorgeous pop-up selling Sinead Keary’s pieces. From her iconic bra-friendly camis to high-quality basics, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Plus, you can shop her sister, Sarah Keary’s new makeup range in-store too, which means you’ll be ready to hit the tiles right after. The pop-up will run for six weeks.
Give a little
Following on from the success of last year’s ‘Tap to Donate’ fundraising initiative in SuperValu, this year they will support AsIAm during World Autism Month. Running for four days, the fundraising drive takes place in SuperValu stores nationwide from 7 – 10 April, and customers can simply tap to donate €2 at the till when making any purchase. Money raised by customers during the four-day fundraiser will support the AsIAm Community Support Team. Since November 2021 alone, the Community Support Team have already supported over 800 families.
Take the stage
If you’re seeking some musical magic this weekend, look no further than Dublin’s docklands. ABBA Orchestral take to the stage in 3Arena, playing a range of hits from Mamma Mia music-making icons ABBA. Cross the river and visit the slammer, as Chicago heads into its final week at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
Walk it out
In Limerick, there are free walking tours taking place on Saturday for refugees in the city. The idea is to allow those fleeing the Ukraine get accustomed to their new space, but the tour is open to refugees of any origin.
Main image via Echo
