10 Glossy Things To Do This Weekend

For equestrian fans: We will be cheering on Irish riders at Land Rover’s Defender Puissance, one of the most exciting events in international showjumping. This takes place on Saturday, August 12 at the RDS, Dublin 4; www.dublinhorseshow.com.

For art lovers: Sample-Studio’s Annual Members Summer Exhibition takes place in The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion, Fitzgerald’s Park, Dublin, from August 10 – September 2. This exhibition showcases new work by 30 local artists, and will include painting, print, sculpture, drawing, mixed media, installation and textiles; www.sample-studios.com.

For house music fans: The Devlin and Jameson Black Barrel are collaborating for an afternoon of Funky House on Saturday, August 12 in the Americana Bar at The Devlin, Dublin 6. Expect a high energy, interactive afternoon show from Bazza, an Irish DJ, sax and drums trio. Tickets cost €25 and include a Jameson Black Barrel cocktail on arrival plus two tasty tapas plates; www.thedevlin.ie.

For bibliophiles (and gardenistas): A must visit is Garinish Island, which is the setting for an inaugural literary festival this weekend. Readings will take place around the evocative gardens in settings such as the Grecian Temple, Casita, Clock Tower and original Martello Tower. The festival opens on the Saturday afternoon at 5.30pm with writers Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Conal Creedon, Catherine Kirwan, Danny Denton and Lisa McInerney, in a ticketed event hosted by Eoghan O’Sullivan from the Irish Examiner. Tickets are on sale from www.eventbrite.ie.

For poetry lovers: Do visit Kilkenny where the city’s Arts Festival has just opened and runs until August 20. The Festival features a poet-in-residence who, as well as reading/discussing some of their own work, has been involved throughout the Festival Programme, delivering a masterclass for poets, and helping to launch the Irish Poetry Review and the Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet. This year, the Festival welcomes Kwame Dawes who is Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets; www.kilkennyarts.ie.

For film fans: Boyne Valley International Film Festival is running from August 11-13 featuring work from filmmakers Mia Mullarkey, Hannah Mammalis, Derek Ugochukwu, Pollyanna McIntosh, Myles O’Reilly, Aaron Monaghan and Clare Monnelly among many others; www.droichead.com.

For learning lost skills: If near the Burren, pop over to an open day on August 12 hosted by the non-profit social enterprise Common Knowledge, which is launching their School of Lost Skills featuring discussion and practice of skills linked with building, food and culture. The day will start with a discussion hosted by Anja Murray with guests Darina Allen, Manchán Magan, Mary Reynolds and Harrison Gardner about the danger of losing our ancestral skills and knowledge in these areas. Tickets are limited, though the event will be live streamed for anyone unable to attend; www.ourcommonknowledge.org.

For foodies: We’re going on a bit of fast ahead of five days of feasting at the Fork Fest in Cork City, from August 16-20. The flavour-packed festival programme includes more than 100 food events, including tasting trails, cooking demos, masterclasses, street events, bite size talks, symposiums and unique dining experiences to appeal to all tastes, interests and ages; www.corkcity.ie.

For Italophiles: The House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro has made its long-awaited return. Popping up in unexpected spaces around the city over the past number of years, its latest home is at the brand new Central Plaza, Dublin 2 – complete with a Capri Rooftop Terrace. Bringing a slice of Italy to Temple Bar, the pop-up will run until August 20. Tickets cost €12 (which includes two complimentary drinks) and can be booked at www.hopnadublin.com/events, with limited walk-ins also available daily.

For theatre lovers: We are booking tickets ahead of Dublin Theatre Festival 2023 which takes in 38 productions performed across the city over 18 days from September 28 – October 15; www.dublintheatrefestival.ie.

Main featured image: The Gloss Magazine archive.