Dundrum Town Centre has just launched Deep Sea Dundrum, a family friendly event, which highlights the importance of oceans to the sustainability of our planet. Large colourful 2D structures and interactive games will be spread out across a Deep Sea trail and visits from Kealan Doyle, world renowned marine biologist and owner of Seahorse Aquariums and his colleague Eimear Manning will give visitors the opportunity to see and interact with some amazing marine species. For more information on Deep Sea Dundrum, which runs until August 15 visit www.dundrum.ie.

The mantra of The Handmade Soap Company has always been “kindness comes naturally” and the Meath-based wellness brand has just launched a series of candle and bath bomb making workshops. Developed by the founder of The Handmade Soap Company, Donagh Quigley, he describes these classes as one part chemistry, one part cooking and one part alchemy. Quigley will share his knowledge during the Dublin-based workshops which will have a limit of six people. Bath bomb, lip balm and candle-making courses are from 5.30pm to 7:00pm on July 21, 22, 28, 29 and August 4, 5, 11, 12. All workshops cost €50 per person and will take place in The Handmade Soap Company’s gorgeous new store on Wicklow Street, Dublin 2. Pre-book your spot online at thehandmadesoapcompany.ie from July 7.

Looking for a new picnic venue? Woodstock Gardens are located just outside the picturesque village of Inistioge, Co Kilkenny. The gardens, overlooking the River Nore Valley, offer visitors a wide variety of attractions and are a relaxing and beautiful environment. There are picnic tables around the gardens, a playground and an orienteering course for the more adventurous families. There is a €4 admission fee per car, payable on exit. For more information visit www.woodstock.ie.

Currently at National Gallery of Ireland is the exhibition “George Wallace: Reflections on Life” which runs until August 29 in the Print Gallery. This selection of over 60 artworks is drawn from the large collection presented to the Gallery by the Wallace family in 2016. The exhibition marks 100 years since the artist’s birth. Wallace was a significant artist and influential educator who created powerful prints and sculptures throughout his career. He was a deep thinker who published insightful writings on art. The exhibition features etchings, monotypes, woodcuts and drawings. These works on paper are drawn from a prolific career of over 50 years. To book free entry tickets visit www.nationalgallery.ie.

The latest edition to Kilkenny’s outdoor dining experiences is The Orangerie at Butler House, which offers beautifully presented Afternoon Tea boxes. With vegetarian, gluten free and vegan options as well as the traditional, it’s the ultimate outdoor picnic treat! www.butler.ie

Wish you were in Tuscany – try La Bougie’s new Blackcurrant Leaf fragrance. Says founder Lucy Hagerty: “My family home is perched above a small Tuscan village near Florence, and this is where my inspiration for this fragrance come from. The heady night blooming jasmine, trailing between the arches of the loggia where we sit and have long lazy meals is combined with the tart, juicy notes of blackcurrant leaves found in the fruit cage behind the house”. Available in a candle €25, Diffuser €33 and an Eau de Parfum €60, Blackcurrant Leaf is set to become a firm favourite amongst candle lovers and fragrance connoisseurs; www.labougie.com.

For spa connoisseurs a tempting offer is the “Midweek A La Carte Package’ (€160) at the cutting-edge Eden One spa in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. This new spa package is available from Monday – Thursday, and guests can choose three treatments from the a la carte spa menu to create a personalised day of relaxation. Options include a back, neck and shoulder massage, skin comfort facial, a head massage, or a body scrub. This 90-minute treatment package also includes a complimentary juice or smoothie in the Member’s Club Lounge and full access to the impressive Eden Elements spa facilities; www.edenone.ie. For more spacation offers read my post on thegloss.ie this Sunday.

“Sea louth” is a newly-launched scenic seafood trail covering 70km of coastline from Drogheda to Omeath. The trail has been designed to take visitors on a journey along the road less travelled, where they will meet local characters, breathe in the salty sea air and also appreciate Louth’s proud seafood tradition. From world-class Carlingford and Cooley Peninsula oysters; Dunany Crab, caught fresh daily using traditional crab pot methods; lobsters caught in Dundalk Bay and and langoustines in Clogherhead, straight off the boat and onto the plate. Pick up a free Sea Louth passport from any of the county’s three tourist offices and follow the trail to 14 scenic locations. In order to complete the passport, visitors must also collect two restaurant stamps – choose from over 40 participating restaurants. Once completed, the passport can be taken back to a Louth tourist office, where it can be exchanged for an exclusive sea louth memento. For further information visit sealouth.ie.

With temperatures rising again this week, Avoca has teamed up with Scúp Gelato. And visitors to Avoca Kilmacanoge, Dunboyne and Rathcoole, will see their ice cream huts. Scúp Gelato is a family run business from Wexford whose aim is to produce and supply Ireland’s most luxurious gelato, using only the highest quality raw materials, both locally and internationally. For other new ice cream ventures see Ice Cream Sundays: Where to Find the Best 99s in Ireland.

Named in 2019 by the Lonely Planet Guide as one of the top ten child friendly castle estates in the world, Birr Castle Demesne has a range of exciting activities for children taking place outdoors throughout the summer. The gardens of Birr Castle demesne are home to the Great Telescope built in 1845 which remained the largest in the world for over 70 years. The galleries of the Science Centre cover the remarkable feats of the Parsons family, their inventions and discoveries. On the 120 acres of parklands, the world’s tallest box hedge can be found in the formal gardens and the tallest treehouse. There is lovely café take out available from Woodfield in the Courtyard and bathroom facilities available onsite; www.birrcastle.com.