Comedy sets, beauty masterclasses and flea markets are on the cards for the weekend ahead. Here’s the best of what’s on…
The IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards
25 April, The Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin, more info here
The IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards is a prestigious event dedicated to recognising the success, innovation, and leadership of women across a diverse range of industries, professions, and communities. Another incredible night of celebrating the best of the best is on the cards.
Gearóid Farrelly’s Gearóid Rage
25 April, Vicar Street, Dublin, more info here
Gearóid Farrelly follows his mammoth Glamour Hammer tour with a hilarious new stand up show touching on the many, many, many things that make his blood boil. Good times are guaranteed.
Waterford Festival of Food
25-27 April, Waterford, more info here
The 16th annual Waterford Festival of Food are currently taking expressions of interest for their markets, which are the highlight of the festival each year, attracting in excess of 30,000 people to the town. The emphasis is on local and artisan producers, so priority will be given to traders from county Waterford.
Beauty MRKT at Dundrum
25-27 April, Dundrum, Dublin, more info here
Beauty MRKT at Dundrum Town Centre is bringing together the best in the beauty industry with fresh ideas across a weekend that will feature panel talks, celebrity ambassador meet and greets, live demos, hands-on masterclasses, market style stalls filled with the latest beauty brands, dedicated male grooming demos, wellness events, and a focus on beauty for all ages.
The Useless Project Flea Market
26 April, Portobello Community Hall, Dublin, more info here
Taking place on the last Saturday of every month, The Useless Project Flea Market is beloved by many for its sweet sweet market vibes. Expect a dreamy mix of fashion, homeware, art, jewellery and everything in between alongside groovy tunes, and the soundest people.
Making History by Brian Friel
Until 26 April, The Everyman Theatre, Cork, more info here
The Everyman presents a major revival of Making History by Brian Friel, directed by the theatre’s new artistic director Des Kennedy in his inaugural season. Set in 1591, Gaelic Ireland is on the brink of extinction under English occupation. Hugh O’Neill and Mabel Bagenal have married in secret. Irish clans have joined forces with the Spanish and the Battle of Kinsale is about to change the course of Irish history.
Zeda and Friends
26 & 27 April, Chupi and Flux Studios, Dublin, more info here and here
Zeda and Friends will host two very exciting events this weekend, including The Dopamine Market at Chupi, Clarendon Street. This is a pre-loved fashion rail sale curated by Chupi Sweetman and Courtney Smith, and there will be many, many great sellers there to give their pieces a new home. Then on Sunday there’ll be an incredible pop-up market of menswear, streetwear, gender-neutral ‘fits, pre-loved gems and a whole lot more happening at Flux Studios.
Cork World Book Fest 2025
Until 27 April, locations across Cork city, more info here
Cork World Book Fest will welcome Irish and international writers to Cork for an extravaganza of books and writing. Highlights over the weekend include Kit de Waal in conversation with Paul McVeigh, a crime writing talk from Catherine Kirwan and Catherine Ryan Howard, and Cathy Sweeney and Francis Halsall talking essays on films.
Clare Garden Festival
27 April, Ennis, Clare, more info here
Clare Garden Festival is a treat for gardeners and a great day out for all the family. Garden and food stalls from all over Ireland join the popular festival every year at the end of April with stallholders coming from near and far. The festival offers a great series of garden expert talks from an accessible stage and has much to offer and discover for young and older gardeners from demonstrations to workshops.
One Dublin One Book
Throughout April, Dublin, more info here
One Dublin One Book encourages everyone to read a book connected with the capital city during the month of April every year, and is now in its 20th year. This year’s title is Dublin, Written In Our Hearts, an anthology published by The Stinging Fly. The book features work from Kevin Barry, Estelle Birdy, Niamh Campbell, Kevin Curran, Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright, FELISPEAKS, Sarah Gilmartin, Róisín Kiberd, Niamh Mulvey, Nuala O’Connor, Sean O’Reilly, Keith Ridgway, and Karl Whitney — to name a few.
The Book of Mormon
Throughout April, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, more info here
This outrageous musical comedy from creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Bobby Lopez, co-writer of Avenue Q and Frozen, follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent to a place that’s about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get.
Youth’s the Season -?
Throughout April, Abbey Theatre, Dublin, more info here
Is youth really the season made for joy? Set in newly independent Ireland, a group of young Dubliners gather to celebrate Desmond’s 21st birthday. They flirt wildly, discuss the nature of love, and trade devastating insults as the party gets into full swing. However, every party has to come to an end… You’ll never think about life in the jazz age in the same way again.
King Lear
Until 27 April, Gate Theatre, Dublin, more info here
As he approaches old age, King Lear looks to divide his kingdom and power between his three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. Through feigned praise and affection, Goneril and Regan, receive their inheritance. Cordelia, the youngest who loves Lear deeply, refuses to flatter her father however and is disinherited and banished. When Goneril and Regan turn him away from their door, Lear begins a journey into madness, wandering homeless and destitute with his devoted companion, the Fool.