Many of Dublin 8’s historical landmarks including Kilmainham Gaol, St Patrick’s Cathedral and IMMA – Irish Museum of Modern Art – will host with specially curated, free events, workshops, family activities and walking tours this weekend. Events curator Grace McEvoy gave us her top five picks from this year’s festival programme.

The Guinness Choir “Sing Again” Concert at St Patrick’s Cathedral
Saturday, May 14 at 7.30pm (Booking required

In this historic setting, The Guinness Choir are inviting guests to feel uplifted and inspired. The concert includes a programme of popular choral pieces from The Guinness Choir’s extensive 70-year repertoire such as Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus, Bruckner’s Locus Iste, Rheinberger’s Abendlied, and Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine, along with works by Bach, Handel, Haydn, Gjeilo and Whitacre. A special highlight of the evening includes the inaugural performance of The Weaver by Judith Ring, harking back to the weaving tradition of the area of The Liberties, Dublin. An epic performance in a majestic setting, this is perfect entertainment for a Saturday evening.

Spoken Word & Harp Performance at Goldenbridge Cemetery with Mary Murry, Una Crawford O’Brien, Emmet Kirwan & Valerie Armstrong
Saturday, May 14 12.30-2pm (Free)

In the hauntingly beautiful surroundings of Goldenbridge Cemetery, a garden cemetery that took inspiration from the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, a free concert celebrating the late legendary poet and Dublin 8 native, Thomas Kinsella will take place on Saturday from 12.30-2pm. The event, at the cemetery’s outdoor Temple, will feature poetic readings by Irish actors and spoken word artists Mary Murray, Una Crawford O’Brien and Emmet Kirwan followed by a performance by harpist Valerie Armstrong, pictured.

Twilight Market at The Digital Hub
Saturday, May 14 2pm-8pm (Free)

Markets have a long standing history within The Liberties area. Over the weekend “We Love Markets” will be hosting a special edition Twilight Market for visitors. Situated in the grounds of the Digital Hub on Thomas Street, the market will have around 50 eclectic stalls – a mixture of local design with artisan food stalls, homemade crafts, clothes, furniture, bric-a-brac, vintage wares.

Explore 300-year-old Marsh’s Library on a Lego Hunt for Kids
Saturday, May 14, 10am-5pm (free entry when you pick up a free Dublin 8 attractions passport at reception)

Take a self-guided tour of the epic Marsh’s Library, one of Ireland’s hidden gems, and the first public library in Ireland. It’s a beautifully preserved building from the early 18th-century, containing original oak bookcases which house more than 25,000 rare and fascinating books including an important collection of late Renaissance and early Enlightenment works. At the library visitors will have a chance to explore their latest exhibition about Charles Maturin – “Ragged, Livid and On Fire: The Wanderings of Melmoth at 200.” Marsh’s Library will also be hosting a Lego treasure hunt for kids throughout the day featuring eight significant Irish writers from the library’s past.

Visit The Exhibition “The Narrow Gate of the Here-and-Now” at IMMA
Saturday and Sunday, May 14 & 15

The latest exhibition at IMMA is “The Narrow Gate of the Here-and-Now”, an ambitious showcase that celebrates the museum’s 30th birthday. The exhibition, divided into four chapters, celebrates and explores specific themes within IMMA’s 30-year history. Guests can explore the exhibition for free throughout the day from 10am – 5.30pm on Saturday and from 12 noon – 5.30pm on Sunday. A free guided tour will also take place at 2.30pm for those who would like a deeper explanation of the works from the museum’s staff and tour guides. IMMA is also situated on 26 acres of land and includes a great wide open green space called the Meadows, as well as a beautiful formal garden that’s perfect for a Sunday picnic for all the family.

For more information see www.culturedatewithdublin8.ie.