Bloomsday Festival
The annual celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses takes place this weekend with numerous events being held across Dublin City. Locals and visitors can take part in a “gentle, civilised” Joycean pub crawl on Saturday or stuff themselves at the Edwardian style ‘Bizarre Bloomsday Brunch’, which takes place on North Great George’s Street on Sunday.
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Rocky Mayhem music festival, Kilfinane
This Limerick festival aims to ditch glamping and glasses of Pimms for a more “back to basics” feel, say organisers. It takes place all weekend and the eclecticplaylist includes the likes of Lisa Lashes, O Emperor, Frank and Walters, Mike Denver and local favourites Handipak. It all takes place against the backdrop of the Ballyhoura Mountains and tickets cost between €10 and €20.
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Irish Maritime Festival, Drogheda
Organisers have said the Irish Maritime Festival is going to be “even bigger and better” than the tall ships event which attracted over 45,000 visitors to Drogheda last year. The festival will focus on the River Boyne, “our undiscovered gem”, and aims to promote the town’s great maritime tradition through a full weekend of events activities and displays.
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Dublin Garden Festival, Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral hosts its first ever flower and garden festival this weekend. The medieval building will be transformed into a floral arcadia with contemporary and classic arrangements from some of Ireland’s most talented florists. “What could be more stunning than to witness thousands of flowers displayed in one of the finest cathedrals in Ireland?” ask the organisers.
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The Galway Sessions
The Galway Sessions Festival celebrates Irish folk and traditional music as well as the music Irish emigrants brought across the world. It starts on Sunday and runs for the week. As in previous years, the festival’s Scottish connection will be retained with a number of performers travelling from Stirling to take part. Events take place in the Town Hall Theatre and pubs throughout the city.
