Festival season is in full swing: a trio of theatre, book and food festivals can be explored this weekend, though don’t forget about Dad too!
Celebrate Bloomsday at MoLI
There will be lots of Bloomsday events today, celebrating author James Joyce, his books and literary legacy. One which is still available to attend is at MoLI this evening from 7pm-10pm, where guests can look forward to cocktails in the sunshine and music from contemporary musicians such as Sweetlemondae, KhakiKid and DJ Big Cheeks, who will be performing underneath MoLI’s Strawberry Tree. Tickets cost €24 (half price for MoLI members) and includes a free drink on arrival.
There are also hourly guided tours throughout the day – the perfect opportunity to see the very first copy of Ulysses! MoLI, by the way, has just won a prestigious cultural heritage award from the European Commission. The museum was singled out by the Europa Nostra jury for its work as a heritage project fostering social cohesion, inclusion, multicultural dialogue and nurturing a sense of place and belonging; www.moli.ie.
Photograph by Jason Clarke via MoLI.
Pop into Taste of Dublin, Iveagh Gardens
Regarded as a jewel in the crown of Dublin food festivals, this summer extravaganza is taking place at the Iveagh Gardens until June 18, with an eclectic mix of Irish chefs, artisan food innovators and cultural food-inspired experiences. Some weekend highlights include participating in World Tapas Day with Tasting Spain on June 16, when chefs from Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Cambrils, Zaragoza and Mallorca will take guests on a gastronomic journey through the regions. The Miele Masterclass Kitchen is where visitors will find chefs Rachel Allen, Trisha Lewis, Edward Hayden, Jordan Bailey and Nico Reynolds showcasing their signature dishes and sharing their top tips.
Every day of the festival there is a free Tia Maria Espresso Martini masterclass at 2pm and 3pm – where participants can learn own to perfect their own Espresso Martini. There’s also a Taste of Disco with Dublin Social, famous for their Disco brunch parties. This takes place on Sunday, June 18. Tickets for this event include a dish from Bahay, as well as a cocktail. It’s a chance to grab your glowsticks and wear your finest Noughties fashion staples and enjoy a bop at this special event! For a full programme and information on ticketed events visit www.tasteofdublin.ie.
Experience Dalkey Book Festival, Co Dublin
The popular book festival has already started and though many of the headline events are sold out, it’s still worth checking out the programme over the weekend. Start the day on Saturday, June 17 with a wild swim at Coliemore Harbour with Easkey Britton, where the author is speaking about “A Sense of the Sea” at 11am. If you are having trouble putting pen to paper, Belfast-based writer Jan Carson is leading a writing workshop at The Vico. There’s also an evening conversation between Jennifer O’Connell and Helen Lewis on the history of feminism in eleven fights, at 8.30pm on the seafront. Soak up the atmosphere of the festival at venues such as The Queens Bar, DeVille’s and The Grapevine. For more information about the programme visit www.dalkeybookfestival.org.
Photograph by Shantanu Starick via Body & Soul.
Attend Body & Soul Festival, Ballinlough Castle, Co Westmeath
Immersive art, indulgent gastronomy experiences, jaw-dropping performances, spacious dance floors, thought-provoking discussions, glittering woodland discos, pagan raves, drag brunches … the line-up for this year’s Body & Soul Festival is nothing if not eclectic. If you haven’t got a ticket yet, there is a limited number of weekend and Sunday tickets remaining. Due to the high demand there are some additional campervan tickets available and there’s still time to book Boutique Camping, Wellness Experiences, Woodfired Sauna & Hot Tubs and Food & Immersive Experiences.
Harness full moon energies with The Trailblazery
There is an inspiring online gathering on Sunday, June 18, at 7pm, when Sophie Strand, an American writer based in the Hudson Valley, will be talking about her book of essays, “The Flowering Wand: Rewilding the Sacred Masculine.” Sophie will guide participants through the transformative power of the summer solstice and delving into the themes of rewilding, rerooting and remembering. The evening will end with a performance from songwriter and composer Patrick Ó Laoghaire. For more information visit www.thetrailblazery.com.
Check out Space at 3, a new creative space in Dun Laoghaire
Bonded through their love of sea swimming, three Dubliners Trish Howard, Josie Uí Mhurchú and Isobel Henihan have combined their disciplines in one versatile new venue. The Space at 3, 3 Cumberland Street, Dun Laoghaire, adapts seamlessly to its three roles: as a therapy space for psychotherapist Trish Howard, a wellness space for wellbeing facilitator Josie Uí Mhurchú and art gallery for artist Isobel Henihan. It’s a serene versatile space. For more information on events and gallery viewings visit @thespaceat3 on Instagram.
Visit the Roe & Co Summer Garden, Dublin 8
This pop-up is bringing “an explosion of flavour” to the Dublin 8 distillery in the The Liberties, showcasing the breadth of Roe & Co whiskey and how their cocktails complement some of the most exciting food on the Dublin scene. Crudo, a recent winner of best casual dining in the 2023 Irish Restaurant Awards, is in residence until July 1 and will be serving a mix of delicious antipasti. The restaurant, created by childhood friends Jamie McCarthy and Sean Crescenzi, is best known for its Italian cooking with a keen focus on local and sustainable seafood and produce. To find out more visit www.roeandcowhiskey.com.
Head to Cork Midsummer Festival
This festival runs until June 25, and includes an inspiring line-up of theatrical productions. From Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days featuring Cork’s BAFTA-winning actress Siobhán McSweeney to a new production The Wind That Shakes The Wig, by Irish drag act, Candy Warhol. For the full programme and ticket information visit www.corkmidsummer.com.
Book this Midsummer Workshop
On Wednesday, June 21, Killruddery, Co Wicklow, will celebrate Midsummer with two special events – a Midsummer Flower Crown Workshop with florist, Hanka Miziova, and a late garden opening with a special, long table pizza picnic in The Orchard. Priced at €65, at the flower crown workshop attendees will use flowers and greenery provided from Killruddery’s cut flower border and hedgerows, to create a beautiful floral crown. With the Gardens open late to celebrate this special evening, after the event attendees can don their flower crown and enjoy a jaunt around the 17th-century estate. The workshop also includes a botanical cocktail or mocktail to toast what promises to be a lovely evening, all part of the Killruddery summer programme. To find out more visit www.killruddery.com.
Make a plan for Father’s Day!
If you haven’t got a card yet, pop into Designist, 68 South Great George’s Street, where you’ll find a great selection. For ideas of what to gift, read this post and where to book if you fancy dining out, read this post …
