June Guide: 20 of the best events happening around Ireland this month
Pride celebrations, festivals of music, books, art and gardening, exhibitions and live theatre — June could well be the busiest month of the year. Here’s the best of what’s on…
Forbidden Fruit
1&2 June, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, more info here
Dublin’s first and longest-running city centre festival returns for its 11th year with a lineup that includes Nelly Furtado, Barry Can’t Swim, DJ Seinfeld, Gemma Dunleavy, and many more.
Bord Bia Bloom
Until 3 June, Phoenix Park, more info here
Bloom celebrates its 18th birthday this year with yet another spectacular gardening event that brings garden designers, flower growers, landscapers, plantaholics, garden-furniture makers, food fanatics and anyone who loves to garden.
Princess Diana’s Elegance, A Royal Collection
4-17 June, Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre, Kildare, more info here
This exhibition features a large collection of garments and accessories once owned and worn by Princess Diana which have not been seen for nearly 30 years. Included are some of the most luxurious cocktail and evening gowns, suits, shoes, hats and handbags, worn by the Princess ahead of auction in LA.
Carlow Arts Festival
5-9 June, Carlow, more info here
Carlow Arts Festival presents a kaleidoscopic programme of works by local, national and international artists, across a variety of artforms including dance, street arts, spectacle, literature, circus, visual arts, film, music and theatre. This year’s 45th edition includes music from Basht., storytelling from Aindrias de Staic, circus performances, dancing, theatre, and more.
Galway Folk Festival
5-9 June, various venues around Galway, more info here
Galway will be coming alive with the sounds of folk, roots, and traditional music, with performances across multiple stages and venues. This year’s lineup includes Declan O’Rourke, Conchúr White, Beth Orton, and Amble.
Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas
7-9 June, Borris House, Carlow, more info here
The twelfth edition of Borris House Festival of Writing & Ideas brings together celebrated historians, activists, musicians, journalists, environmentalists and literary minds, with incredible highlights including Margaret Atwood, Minnie Driver, Mary Robinson, Jon Ronson, Lemn Sissay, Ye Vagabonds, Dylan Moran, Liz Nugent and more.
The Wizard of Oz
Until 8 June, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, more info here
Featuring the iconic original score from the Oscar-winning film including ‘Over The Rainbow’, ‘Follow The Yellow Brick Road’ and ‘We’re Off To See the Wizard’, this spectacular production will be a magical experience for all the family.
In the Meadows
8 June, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, more info here
The inaugural In The Meadows one-day festival is headlined and co-curated by mercury-nominated Irish band Lankum, who will perform their biggest show on home soil to date, and one of the only chances to see the band in Dublin in 2024. Among the other artists featured are Mogwai, Black Country, New Road, John Francis Flynn, Rachael Lavelle, and many more.
Bloomsday
11-16 June, various locations around Dublin, more info here
Celebrating the day across which James Joyce’s Ulysses is set—16 June 1904—and the character of Leopold Bloom, the celebrations include dressing up like the book’s characters in clothes from the era, concerts, readings, talks, art exhibitions and more, hosted in or around placed directly referenced in the book.
Cork Midsummer Festival
12-23 June, various venues around Cork, more info here
Exhilarating theatre, dance and music, trailblazing ideas, joyful spectacle and so much more await at Cork Midsummer Festival. Theatre, orchestra, visual art, circus performances and more await.
Dalkey Book Festival
13-16 June, Dalkey, more info here
Dalkey Book Festival celebrates and fosters literary talent in Ireland as well as hosting some of the world’s leading writers and thinkers. This year’s lineup includes conversations with Irish literary greats including the likes of Sinéad Gleeson, Anne Enright, Paul Murray, Claire Keegan and Colm Tóibín.
Taste of Dublin
13-16 June, Merrion Square, Dublin, more info here
Whether you want to learn chef skills from the best, shake your way through a cocktail masterclass, transport yourself to a tapas bar in sunny Spain or find a fellow food lover to feast with, there’s plenty to see, do and devour at Taste of Dublin.
Longest Day Out
20 June, TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus, more info here
Inviting people to give their time for people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes, the Dublin Simon Longest Day Out is a free event but we encourage you to donate what you can to their vital services. The programme is yet to be announced, but watch this space.
Ciseach
20-22 June, Project Arts Centre, Dublin, more info here
Ciseach is a pulsating contemporary incantation weaving together a tapestry of dance, rhythm, live music and voice that seeks to rekindle our broken relationship with the land. Looking to the body, to the collective, in search of a new path as the ground beneath us yields, this stirring new work is an embodied manifesto – urging us to re-member, to re-connect with our past, with nature and with each other.
Dublin Pride Run
21 June, Phoenix Park, more info here
Dublin Pride Run isn’t your ordinary 5K race. It’s a celebration of movement, energy and physical activity that champions inclusivity, identity, self expression and queerness in an open, friendly, safe space where you can connect with others in the LGBTQ+ community, friends, family and loved ones.
Beyond the Pale
21-23 June, Glendalough Estate, Wicklow, more info here
In my humble opinion, one of the best festivals in Ireland, Beyond the Pale returns to the wild woodlands and stunning surrounds of Glendalough Estate for three days of music, arts and food. The lineup includes Jessie Ware, Alvvays, Romy, Rachael Lavelle, and a whole lot more, as well as the incredible foodie offering, Beyond the Plate.
Kaleidoscope
28-30 June, Russborough House, Blessington, Wicklow, more info here
This beloved family-friendly music camping festival brings global music stars and homegrown Irish talent alike to the stage, and this year’s lineup includes The Kooks, The Waterboys, King Kong Company, Lyra, The Academic, Somebody’s Child, and more.
Night & Day Festival
28-30 June, Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon, more info here
A magical, musical medley of performance, art and interaction awaits you in the beautiful surroundings of our home at Lough Key Forest Park, the Night & Day lineup features Bell X1, Ash, Damien Dempsey, and Mick Flannery.
Mother Pride Block Party
29 June, National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin, more info here
The Mother Pride Block Party is set across multiple stages on the historic grounds of the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks, and this year’s lineup features Cobrah, Princess Superstar, Robin S, Sasha Velour, Blu Hydrangea, Mother DJs, Celaviedmai, and many more. With three stages, fairground rides and multiple bars, this pride celebration has it all.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival
29 June, The Curragh Racecourse, more info here
With stunning performances that appeal to all ages, Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival is an unforgettable evening of singing and dancing following the thrilling action on the track. A huge highlight is The K Club’s Most Stylish Racegoer, judged by Lyra and our very own IMAGE Editorial Director Dominique McMullan stepping out in search of the most a la mode attendee embracing this year’s theme of ‘Power Chic’.
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