Take your summer to a new level this month with these fantastic outdoor and indoor events and activities happening all around the country
Galway’s Westend Walking Tours: Throughout June
A trip to Galway just got more enticing with this wonderful new tourist attraction.
Galway’s Westend, the beating heart of Galway City known for its captivating culture, is launching a series of walking tours starting this month. Led by expert local guides, the immersive experience will allow visitors and locals to delve into the rich tapestry of Galway’s Westend, revealing the hidden gems, unique stories, and vibrant atmosphere that make it a must-visit destination. Click here for more information.
Art and Soul: 1 – 18 June
Art lovers, pay close attention. Ireland’s biggest art and sculpture event, featuring works by Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst and Francis Bacon, is currently being staged at the Castlemartyr Resort in Cork until 18 June.
With over 200 works on display, the free event is the largest showcase of sculpture in Ireland to date and features international artists alongside leading Irish sculptors Patrick O’Reilly, Ian Pollock, Bob Quinn, Sandra Bell, Anthony Scott and Orla De Brí. All of the artworks will be for sale, with prices ranging from €1,000 up to €450,000. Visit www.gormleys.ie and www.castlemartyrresort.ie for more details.
Churchyard Sessions: 3 June – 26 Aug
If you love live music, you’ll love The Churchyard Sessions!
Every Saturday from 2 June until 26 August, the best regional and national live music acts perform at a free outdoor event as part of Waterford’s Summer in the City events. Opening the Churchyard Sessions this year is Richie Hayes and Band on June 3rd, Paddy Casey will perform on June 10th, The Unusual Suspects on June 17th and The Papa Zitas on June 24th. See thereg.ie for more details.
Bison BBQ Festival: 9 – 10 June
If you’re ready to ‘fire up the barbie’ over the summer months, this food fest will provide all the inspiration you could hope for!
Bison’s BBQ Festival is a free two-day event spread across Dublin’s Bison Bar & BBQ, and The Workman’s Club, is set to be the perfect kick off to the summer, with a jam-packed schedule. Expect seriously delicious barbecue action, whiskey experiences, live music, games, a pop-up tattoo shop, free comedy shows, competitions and more coming your way. Click here for free tickets.
I’m Grand Mam Live Podcast at Kildare Village: 10 June
If you’re a fan of this super popular podcast, you won’t want to miss this!
With almost 2.5 million listens to date, I’m Grand Mam is presented by Kevin and PJ, who are originally from Cork and now living in London. Each week, the lads have a cuppa and catch up as they explore the collective life landmarks that accompany growing up gay in the world today. To celebrate Pride 2023, Kildare Village will host a live recording of the podcast on Saturday, 10 June from 12.30pm in Unit 90.
Tickets are €25 and available to buy from Eventbrite, with all profits from the ticket sales donated to BeLonG To Youth Services.
Conquer the Castle at the Rock of Cashel: 10 June
Are you looking for a physical challenge with a difference?
If you answered yes then you’re in luck because Ireland’s ultimate obstacle course, Red Bull Conquer The Castle, is making its return to the Rock of Cashel where hundreds of thrill-seekers from across Ireland take on the gruelling track in Tipperary’s Golden Vale on Saturday 10 June.
A physically demanding 2.5km course awaits participants, with over 20 ruthless obstacles to hurdle, from balance beams to cargo net climbs and stone wall crossings. The competition is open to those aged 16 and older and you can click here to register.
Summer Irish Pop-Up Collective: 11 June
This one is going to be a lot of fun! Following on from the success of the first Irish Pop-Up Collective in 2022, Mr. L’s Cocktails is set to be part of a super line-up for the second event, the Summer Irish Pop-Up Collective which will take place in Dublin this month.
Over thirty five Irish brands and businesses will come together for a summer themed pop-up featuring a wide variety of products which are perfect for the summer season. Everything from colourful apparel and accessories to swimwear, beach rugs and picnic throws, sunglasses and sun hats, interiors, beauty, jewellery as well as food and drink will be be on offer.
The Summer Irish Pop-Up Collective takes place in the Carlisle Suite at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire from 10am-7pm on Sunday 11 June.
Dalkey Book Festival: 15 – 18 June
Book lovers, rejoice! The Dalkey Book Festival is back for another year with a cracking lineup of speakers including Bono, Ruby Wax, Masha Gessen, Liz Nugent, Roddy Doyle, Brian Cox and many more.
However, perhaps the biggest draw this year will be the presence of Hollywood royalty – multi-Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks. Although his writing has appeared in many publications including The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker, Tom will be at the festival to talk about his first novel – The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.
See dalkeybookfestival.org for more details.
Taste of Dublin: 15 – 18 June
This is one for the foodies in your life.
With everything from mouth-watering food and tantalising summer cocktails, to chocolate making and disco dancing, there really is something for everyone at Taste of Dublin 2023! The popular food festival, taking place in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens, will play host to a stellar line up of renowned Irish and international chefs including Gina Daly of The Daly Dish; Paul Flynn; Nico De Rey; Trisha Lewis (Trisha’s Transformation); Jordan Bailey; and MC Erica Drum who will share their food inspiration and top tips to create a truly memorable culinary experience.
See tasteofdublin.ie for more information.
Garden Show Ireland: 16 – 18 June
If you didn’t make it to Bloom, never fear because the Garden Show Ireland is returning to the historic Antrim Castle Gardens this month for a three-day gardening extravaganza.
Billed as Northern Ireland’s largest gardening festival, the horticulture showcase is set to be better than ever before with a vast programme featuring a range of horticultural experts. Now in its 19th year, the show runs from Friday 16 – Sunday 18 June and is expected to attract 30,000 visitors across the weekend. See gardenshowireland.com for more details.
Beyond the Plate at Beyond the Pale Music and Arts Festival: 16 – 18 June
What’s better than a music and arts festival? One that combines those amazing things with a celebration of the things we love to eat and drink as well!
Beyond The Plate is a celebration of all things food and drink at Beyond The Pale. Festival-goers can feast on some of the best Irish street food vendors and enjoy a stellar line-up of talks, tastings, chats, demos and craic on the dedicated food and drink stage. Curated and hosted by food writer Ali Dunworth, the event will focus on food folklore and feasting, welcoming a wide and interesting range of cooks, chefs, thinkers, tastemakers and creators over the weekend. Click here for further details.
Body & Soul Festival: 16 – 18 June
Fans of this festival know how good it is – if you haven’t been, you’re in for a treat.
The much-loved event returns this year for an incredible thirteenth edition. An immersive festival unlike any other, Body & Soul has brought together a stunning programme for 2023’s edition of exhilarating live acts, from music and comedy, to cabaret and spoken word, alongside a host of creative and interactive experiences. Not only that but the festival has a brand new, redesigned festival layout, but remains situated in the midst of the breathtaking beauty of Ballinlough Castle Estate.
Definitely one not to miss! Click here for more information.
WILDE at the Westbury – Rosé evening event: 22 June
Wine lovers, this one is for you.
As a highlight of the Rosé summer season, WILDE at The Westbury will present an exclusive evening of rosé wines hosted by Stephen Cronk, Founder and Winemaker at Maison Mirabeau on Thursday, 22 June. Guests will be treated to a delicious five-course menu created by Executive Chef Sandeep Singh, with each course expertly paired with a Mirabeau rosé serve.
Tickets are €95 and are available to book via Wilde Events (sevenrooms.com)
Tunefest Dungarven: 23 – 25 June
There’s a new traditional Irish music festival in town – a Waterford town, to be exact.
Tunefest Dungarvan will take place in the stunning harbour town of Dungarvan Co. Waterford from 23 – 25 June with a host of activities including workshops, dancing, pub sessions, youth buskers, a book launch and free outdoor gig rig performances.
The event will bring together some of the most talented traditional Irish musicians and singers from Waterford, around the country, and overseas for one incredible weekend of top-class music and fun. See tunefest.ie for schedule information and to purchase tickets.
BKultured Presents: Waves of Sound – From 24 June
This summer Cork will play host to four of Ireland’s most exciting music acts against the beautiful backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. BKultured Presents: Waves of Sound will be held on a cliff top overlooking Ballybrannigan Beach, a lesser known seaside gem in East Cork.
The music series kicks off on 24 June with award-winning Northern Irish folk singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside – an experimental folk singer-songwriter and producer who blends influences from alternative electronica and Irish traditional song heritages. Other acts Yseult and Miriam Kaczor, Rúadhán Ó Deasmhúnaigh and Attention Bebe to follow. Click here for tickets and to stay up to date with the other music acts – Yseult and Miriam Kaczor, Rúadhán Ó Deasmhúnaigh and Attention Bebe – taking place throughout the summer months.
Street Feast: 25 June
If you’ve never heard of this national day of street parties and community celebrations, this is the year to get involved!
Street Feast aims to bring communities together and promote a sense of togetherness across the country. As well as being a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours and create a friendly and welcoming space, the main aim of the initiative is to encourage people of all backgrounds, ages, and gender to take part in their local festivities. Click here for more details.
Farnham Estate Garden Wedding Showcase: 25 June
Did you or someone you know get engaged recently?
If so, Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort, Co Cavan, want to help you begin your happily ever after in the most exquisite way with an afternoon of expert beauty tips, specialist wedding planning advice and a stunning bridal fashion show, all set in the surrounds of the impressive 1300-acre country estate.
The Garden Wedding Showcase Afternoon on Sunday 25 June, will be hosted by TV stylist Mandy Maher of Catwalk Model Agency, out on the lawns within the gorgeous outdoor civil ceremony space. Click here for more information.
The King and I at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre: 27 June – 1 July
If you’ve never seen the stage show of Roger and Hammerstein’s masterpiece The King and I, you can rectify the situation this month at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
The sumptuous, timeless romance from the golden age of musicals is universally adored by the public and critics alike boasts one of the finest scores ever written, including Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You, and Shall We Dance. See bordgaisenergytheatre.ie for more information.
