SIMON TIERNEYfinds ways to live well with less cash
Summertime
“Summertime and the livin’ is easy . . . ” When George Gershwin wrote this, he was clearly on holiday in Lahinch on a damp and windswept afternoon, enjoying a typical Irish holiday. Daddy was rich, despite a crippling recession and the mother, probably good looking, beneath the umbrella.
A picnic is a summer pleasure. The grounds of Farmleigh House (Castleknock, Dublin 15, tel: 0 1-8155981) are a treat. There is also free live music most Sundays on the band stand during July and August (see farmleigh.iefor details). How about a trip to Castletown House (Celbridge, Co Kildare, tel: 01-628 8252)? From June 24th until the end of September, it's running its free Summer Sunday Series concerts every week at 2pm-4pm in the spectacular entrance hallway of the house.
The Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre (Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2, tel: 01-677 7510), is hosting Jazz on the Jetty on June 20th and 27th at 12.30pm-2pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy Gavin Kerins playing live.
Cycling on a summer’s evening is one of the great delights of the season. The An Óige Short Cycle is taking place in Cork on June 21st (meet: Opera House, Cork at 7pm), finishing in Blarney (free event).
As part of the festivities for Love Live Music, Caruso will be playing in the wine cave at KC Peaches (29 Nassau St, Dublin 2, tel: 01-6336872) on June 21st at 8pm (free). To book, email kcpwinecave@gmail.com. The first five to book via email will receive a free bottle of house wine on the night.
Dublin’s new theatre space, Viking Theatre @ the sheds (Connollys – the Sheds, 198 Clontarf, Dublin 3, tel: 087-112 9970) is offering five free pairs of tickets (normally €10 each) to their upcoming Red Kettle production of Rose by Martin Sherman on June 19th. Email vikingtheatre@dublin.com to avail.
The Big Blue Bus in The George Bernard Shaw (11-12 Richmond St, Portobello, Dublin 2, tel: 085-712 8342) is great fun. A full-scale bus and pizza restaurant on the grounds of the venue, it offers free pizza to a girl and boy with a particular name each week (bring your ID). To find out what the names are, visit its Facebook or Twitter pages. Next week they are offering a free pizza and pint for two, to the first four people to take a picture of themselves in front of the bus and post it on facebook.com/thebigbluebus
Last but not least . . .
BirdWatch Ireland is running free Seabird Watching on Tuesdays in July. Meet at the viewing area in Coliemore Harbour (Coliemore Rd, Dalkey, Co Dublin). The events take place at 6.30pm-8pm. No booking required.
