Looking for something to do this weekend? Read on for a round-up of fun events, from jazz cruises to food festivals
As the weekend rolls around, you might be wondering what outings and events you should line up to make the most out of your days off. Here’s a handy guide to help you make those tough decisions.
Smooth sailing
If the sound of a summer jazz cruise appeals to you, then consider joining Carlingford Lough Cruises this Saturday, June 18th. The two-hour cruise will have music on board by Northern Ireland jazz group, The Unholy Gospel Band. The cruise will take guests along the Southern shoreline, past the medieval town of Carlingford, with views of the marina and King John’s Castle, before enjoying views of Greencastle Royal Castle and Rostrevor Bay on the Northern shoreline. Food and drink will be available on board, and tickets cost €29.95. You can book here.
Page turners
The Dalkey Book Festival returns to Dublin this weekend, with panel discussions with authors like Sally Rooney, Marian Keyes, John Banville, Claire Keegan, and Patrick Freyne. Meanwhile, you’ll be given plenty of food for thought with speakers like David McWilliams, Luke O’Neill, Miriam O’ Callaghan, and Mark Little also taking up the mic. Tickets are €15 per panel discussion, and can be booked here.
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Stock up on essentials
We’ve all felt the pinch of the rising cost of living over the past couple of months. To help alleviate this, Boots Ireland has committed to freezing the prices of 1,300 own-label products from this week until the end of the year. So, if you need to top up on essentials but are conscious of the cost, you can find all you need, from toiletries, haircare, dental, health, wellness and beauty products, at an affordable price.
Scúp Gelato x Avoca
Family-run Wexford business, Scúp Gelato, is teaming up with Avoca for the return of their pop-up ice cream huts this summer. You can expect to see the ice cream huts at the Avoca stores in Dunboyne, Rathcoole, Mount Usher, and Kilmacanoge. Scúp Gelato uses lots of locally sourced ingredients, like high quality Irish milk and fresh Wexford strawberries, coupled with ingredients from overseas, like Sicilian Bronte pistachios and Madagascan vanilla. Sounds like summer in an ice cream tub.
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Taste of Dublin
After a two-year hiatus, the city’s beloved food event returns to the Iveagh Gardens this weekend. Taste of Dublin returns with an eclectic mix of well-known Irish chefs, artisan food innovators and cultural food inspired experiences.
At the NEFF Taste Kitchen Stage, you can expect to see cooking demonstrations from world-class chefs like Susana Casanova, Juan Santiago, Jeeny Maltese, and Cúán Greene. For the full cooking schedule see here. Meanwhile, the Disco Social crew will be bringing you back to the noughties with some throwback hits, while you tuck into some tasty brunch from chef Kwanghi Chan and a cocktail from Míl Gin. The Disco Social crew’s brunch will run on Sunday at 2pm and 8pm.
You can also stop by the Just Eat Food Mansion for a taste of Dublin’s finest foods, with dishes served from restaurants like Dosa Dosa, Ramen Co, Nomadlads, and Red Torch Ginger. Top it all off with a coffee from De’Longhi Coffee Bar, where you can also learn how to make a barista-style frothy cappuccino, so you can be a coffee connoisseur at home. Tickets for the festival start at €17 and you can book them here.
