This June weekend is vibrant with possibility: art exhibits, bilingual musicals, rooftop yoga, National Rosé Day, literary tours and talks…
Start off Saturday with some rooftop yoga
For early Saturday risers looking to switch up their routine for summer, Marker Yoga has returned to its Rooftop. The yoga classes, suitable for all levels, will take place every Saturday morning from 8.45am to 9.45am throughout the summer, focusing on stillness, movement, breath and meditation. Mats and blocks will be provided but guests can also bring their own equipment. The class will cost €25 for non-residents with complimentary spaces available for residential guests. Those who haven’t been to the Rooftop should note that it has launched a new summer “Alfresco with Friends” menu with grazing boards and sharing plates. Not forgetting the annual Bubble Claws treat – serving Belderrig lobsters from Co Mayo with champagne from the House of Ayala, €140 for two; www.nh-hotels.com
Learn more about Ulysses on this walking tour
It’s Bloomsday on June 16 and as part of an overnight stay for two, The Shelbourne, Dublin has a self-guided audio walking tour – Sauntering with Joyce – created by biographer and Joyce enthusiast, Gerry Dukes, and his son, Daragh, a composer and audio producer. Delving into the writer’s methods, thought processes and ambitions for his work, this tour is one way to acknowledge the centenary year of the publication of Ulysses. A picnic lunch and breakfast are included, from €719; www.theshelbourne.com
Attend the premiere of this bi-lingual musical
The legend of Tír na nÓg and The Land of Eternal Youth is one of Ireland’s most loved tales, and the ancient fable will premiere this weekend as a bilingual musical mixing dialogue and songs with phrases from the Irish language. Directed by Katie O’Halloran, written by Shauna Carrick with additional music by Aidan Byrne, the production will run from June 11 – 19 at the dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum Town Centre. Show times are 2.30pm and 7.30pm and tickets range in price from €22 – €25; www.milltheatre.ie
Learn More about WB Yeats and visit this special Reading Room
The National Library of Ireland will celebrate the birthday of WB Yeats with a lecture focusing on his relationship with James Joyce on Saturday June 11 at 6pm. Entitled WB Yeats: A Portrait of the Poet as a Joyce Critic, it will be delivered by Joycean scholar and Professor of English at the University of Macerata, Professor John McCourt. The lecture will be livestreamed from the NLI’s Reading Room.
Each year, the National Library offers a keynote lecture marking the birth of WB Yeats on June 13, 1865. The lecture is inspired by the National Library’s long-running exhibition The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats, which showcases the largest collection of Yeats material in the world. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s lecture, Acting Director of the NLI, Katherine McSharry said: “Professor John McCourt brings the two writers together once again in the National Library’s reading room, through the 2022 Joseph Hassett lecture. And, in honour of this special year, the Library will open its Reading Room on the evening of Bloomsday, Thursday, June 16, to allow members of the public experience the surroundings which inspired both Yeats and Joyce.”; www.nli.ie.
Celebrate Rosé Wine Day,
We don’t need any excuse to pop a bottle of rosé in the fridge at the moment, but it would be a shame not to officially mark World Rosé Day on Saturday, June 11. Lidl has an impressive selection to suit all palates and budgets ranging from Pinot Grigio d. Venezie Rosé, € 7.10, a Prosecco Spumante Rosé Millesima €11.99, and a French IGP Pinot Noir Rosé €7.49. One of its serving suggestions is to make a “Berry Rosé Sangria” as follows:
– 550ml Rosé wine such as Pinot Grigio d. Venezie Rosé
– 150ml Wild Burrow Irish Gin
– 100ml Lemon juice
– 40ml Simple syrup (sugar and water)
– 2 punnets of mixed berries
– Ice
Make a simple syrup by combining (1:1 ratio, e.g.1 part sugar to 1 part hot water). Let it cool. Combine all ingredients – gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, rosé and mixed berries in a large jug. Chill for 15 minutes in the fridge, then add ice to the jug and garnish with some fresh berries and slices of lime and lemon.
Try this pampering afternoon ritual at Carton House, Co Kildare
Lady Emily’s Afternoon Ritual includes a 55-minute spa treatment with access to the relaxation room, swimming pool and thermal area in Carton House Spa & Wellness followed by afternoon tea in the stunning Gold Salon of the main house. This treat is available Thursday-Sunday for €150 per guest; www.cartonhouse.com
Order a Tablescape in a Box
Don’t worry if you can’t get to St Tropez and the chic Club 55 where powder blue and white table settings are the backdrop to languorous lunches. The Designed Table is launching a powder blue and white check tablecloth with matching napkins and a quilted placemats. This collection will be added to the pretty Check Collection and is available in a Tablescape in a Box with settings from €150. Guests can buy six, eight or twelve place settings and the tablecloths come in three sizes. The boxes make the perfect wedding or hostess gift. For the full collection, and to buy the pieces individually (as set of four napkins is €40) visit www.thedesignedtable.com.
Check out this student exhibition
The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) is presenting its exhibition “NCAD Works 2022” alongside a programme of events until June 14. Professor Sarah Glennie, Director at the College, explains: “Being bold and curious are fundamentals in NCAD’s approach to teaching and learning. Equally, making and doing – and sometimes failing – is part of a resilient approach to education which can make graduates more adaptable and solutions-focused, regardless of the disrupters.” There are 247 BA and MA graduates showcasing their work in-person and many have tackled issues such as climate change, gender and mental health. The works can be viewed in person and online at www.ncad.works and www.ncad.ie
Plan Body and Soul Festival, Co Westmeath
Body & Soul 2022 takes place next weekend from June 17 -19 at Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath. This year its halving its numbers and doubling its curatorial commitment, part of its pledge to reduce its environment impact as participant of the Green Deal Circular Festivals (GDCF). Participants will find The Sanctuary nestled in a quiet corner, where therapy tents and the workshop marquee hums with the sound of sound healers, yoga teachers and rhythm dancers. This year there is a range of immersive art experiences by Maser, Aoife Dunne, CuRod, Bishi, Light Sculptors & New Jackson and more. A living art installation that supports the regeneration of Ireland’s bees will be presented at the festival too. As for the music, taking part are Róisín Murphy, Mogwai, Sampa the Great, AE Mak, John Francis Flynn, David Kitt, Crash Ensemble and Lisa O’Neill and many more; www.bodyandsoul.ie
