There are lots of events, gigs and activities not to miss this summer. Here are some fun, empowering and cultural things to do solo, with pals or the whole family
Planning your summer adventures? There are so many unique and exciting events taking place across the country. Here are a few not to miss! o
Friday 15 July – Saturday 3 September
GUIDES at The Linenhall, Castlebar
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Arts Council of Ireland’s permanent collection, GUIDES is an exhibition of captivating projects celebrating and exploring difference. Running at The Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar until 3 September, this exhibition is the result of community groups from across Mayo enjoying unparallelled access to works of national significance.
BirdBecomeBird will include the first ever live performance art piece in the Art Council’s collection, taking place at the swimming pool in Castlebar. The performance has been commissioned for the swifts who nest there and a video documentation of the event will become part of the exhibition and be entrusted to the state.
A diverse range of subject matters are examined, from all walks of life, including those of The Mayo Traveller Support Group, Outwest (support and advocacy group to the LGBT+ community), Birdwatchers Mayo and the Mayo Rollers among many others.
Find out more at thelinenhall.ticketsolve.com/shows.
Friday 15 July – 31 August
Páipéar is an ambitious, large-scale exhibition of new works on paper by Irish and Ireland-based artists, taking place in the unique setting of Dublin’s newly-refurbished Central Plaza. This is a large-scale exhibition of 115 original works by a dynamic selection of prestigious Irish and Irish based artists who have been invited to submit an original work on paper. All submissions have been created exclusively for this exhibition. This is an unparalleled opportunity to not only view unique works from contemporary Irish artists, but the chance to acquire beautiful framed artworks. Check out all the pieces here.
Friday 29 July – Sunday 31 July
Potted Potter
After playing to sold out houses all over the world, the Olivier Award nominated POTTED POTTER The Unauthorised Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff returns to Ireland this summer. This strictly limited tour visits The Everyman Cork, Friday 29 June – Sunday 31 July, before flying off to Ennis, Dublin and Galway in August. The show takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into 70 minutes.
Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, POTTED POTTER will make you roar with laughter. This brilliant family entertainment is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).
Book tickets for Cork here, Ennis here, Dublin here and Galway here.
Friday 29 July – Sunday 31 July
All Together Now, Curraghmore Estate, Waterford
This Waterford festival is set across 18 stages, with lots of secrets and fun events to discover. Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright, CMAT, Jungle, Pillow Queens, Underworld and more lead the music line up.
Jameson will be opening the doors to its brand-new stage this year called The Circle. Along with a line-up of Ireland’s leading artists and performers, The Circle area will be home to a host of immersive workshops that are open to public and be available to book via the Jameson Connects platform.
There’s also a fantastic comedy tent featuring Deirdre O’Kane, Ardal O’Hanlon and more, as well as the Theatre of Food, with demonstrations, debate and lots of tasty food stalls to fuel up at.
Due to demand, a limited number of family campsite tickets have been added too.
All Together Now
Friday-Saturday, 12-13 August
Boyne Valley Film Festival
Droichead Arts Centre and film maker Frank W. Kelly are delighted to announce the inaugural Boyne Valley International Film Festival. Curated by acclaimed filmmaker and Boyne Valley native Frank W. Kelly and Collette Farrell, Droichead Arts Centre Director, this two day event will feature the best short films from around the country, and the world, with a special focus on films made in the region. The festival will also shine a light on the work of talented writer, director and producer Roisin Kearney, screening a selection of her shorts: Run, No Dogs, The Family Way, We Have Each Other and Paddy.
Other Irish film talent showcased at the Festival will include Kelly Campbell, Mark O’Halloran, Rioghnach Ní Ghrioghair, Naomi Sheridan, Myles O’Reilly, Caroline Grace Cassidy, Tristan Heanue, Niall McKay, Nessa Rafter, Imogen Murphy & Kate Gilmore, as well as a selection of international shorts, a workshop on how to make a short film, Q&A’s with film makers, and a panel discussion on the importance of inclusion in filmmaking, hosted by LMFM’s Sinead Brassil. The festival are also inviting film makers to pitch a short film idea by email, no longer than 2 pages, by the 5 August. Three film makers will be shortlisted, awarded a small bursary of €500, and invited to pitch to a panel during the festival. One lucky film maker will be chosen, and further awarded a bursary of €2,500 to write the script, plus a studio space for 6 months in Droichead Arts Centre, Barlow House. See droichead.com for more.
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22 July – 11 September
The Artefacts Project, Hunt Museum, Limerick
This exhibition at Limerick’s Hunt Museum allows visitors to witness familiar objects from pre-colonial Ireland in a different light. Artist Lorcan Walshe took inspiration from indigenous craft and early Irish religious treasures.
15 years after its debut at the National Museum of Ireland, The Artefacts Project is being revived and partially reworked following an increased awareness of the significance of Walshe’s work. His engagement with artefacts of the pre-colonial past in his search for artistic and cultural roots has been likened to the approach taken by Frida Kahlo in her revival of the pre-colonial.
Thursday, 18 August
The Mane Event / Dublin Horse Show
If you’re getting glammed up for Ladies Day at The Dublin Horse Show, don’t miss the best afterparty in town. Great Lengths The Mane Event at HOUSE Dublin will feature a best-tressed competition, Malfy Gin cocktails, delicious treats and the chance to win three prizes on the night.
Top Irish Milliner Margaret O’Connor has once again teamed up with Great Lengths to create a selection of bespoke headpieces which were beautifully styled with stand-out pieces from Rag Revolution’s Spring Summer Collection.
Great Lengths The Mane Event judges for the evening include milliner Margaret O’Connor, Supermodel, Sophie Anderton and Fashion Stylist, Zeda the Architect. Entrants to the competition will have the chance to win prizes for the best hat or headpiece, the best overall look and the best hairstyle. To enter, simply register between 6-7pm in HOUSE. At 7.30pm, Great Lengths VIP and MC, Irish beauty Holly Carpenter, will announce the winners. Prizes include vouchers for Great Lengths, brunch in HOUSE, a bespoke Margaret O’Connor hat and more.
20 August
GOAL’s Pedal West for Ukraine
Ireland‘s cycling community is coming together on 20 August to support Irish humanitarian aid organisation, GOAL, and their Ukraine Crisis Appeal. GOAL‘s Pedal West for Ukraine challenge aims to help raise life-saving funds for people impacted by the conflict, which is in its fourth month. The 75 kilometre challenge begins at Ballyseedy Home & Garden Centre in Tralee and travels through Camp and Annascaul on the Dingle Peninsula to Inch Beach and Castlemaine. Advance registration is , visit goalglobal.org/pedalwestforukraine/.
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