September Event Guide: The best of what’s happening throughout the month ahead

National Cinema Day

2 September, Cinemas around Ireland

Film buffs rejoice, because cinemas across Ireland will be offering tickets at a reduced rate in honour of National Cinema Day! Supported by Screen Ireland, this year’s initiative will see premium seats and 3D screenings reduced to €4, all day for any show, and approximately 99% of cinemas in the country will be participating, and with over 200,000 admissions last year, make sure you get there early.

The Designed Table at Kildare Village

2-4 September, The Apartment, Kildare Village

Immerse yourself in the captivating spirit of autumn at Kildare Village’s upcoming pop-up event with The Designed Table! A delightful exploration of autumn tablescape ideas that will infuse your space with the cosy charm of the season, there will be a Tablecaping and Wreath Making workshop with The Potting Shed. The experience promises to be a hands-on celebration of the season, and a fantastic opportunity to learn, create and embrace all things autumn.

Riverdance Sensory Show

3 September, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin

Riverdance proudly presents its inaugural Sensory Show at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, in partnership with Ireland’s National Autism Charity, AsIAm. The Riverdance 25th anniversary show will cater to a neurodivergent audience,where the auditory landscape will be gentler, the theatre’s illumination will remain welcomingly lit, and specially designated quiet zones will be available to provide solace.

Dirty Dancing

5-16 September, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

Are you ready to have The Time Of Your Life? The worldwide smash hit live stage show of Dirty Dancing comes to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre this month to tell the story of Baby and Johnny, featuring 35 hit songs including Hungry Eyes, and of course, (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – we’re holding our breath to see The Big Lift. Tickets are still available here.

Waterford Harvest Festival

8-10 September, Waterford

One of Ireland’s leading food festivals, Waterford Harvest Festival is back for its 14th year of celebrating the county’s rich food heritage, diverse restaurants and producers, and putting Waterford’s food and drink centre stage. There’ll be cookery demos, live music, a giant Harvest market, a restaurant trail and even the Waterford Honey Show. There’ll also be an opportunity to learn about food sustainability from food and climate experts.

Joycenights Festival

9-14 September, James Joyce Tower & Museum, Sandycove

In 1904, James Joyce spent six nights in the Sandycove Martello Tower, where he would set the opening episode of Ulysses. This festival commemorates his short but significant residency with readings, concerts, and podcasts. Find a full list of events and booking information here.

Dublin Fringe Festival

9-24 September, All around Dublin

This curated, multidisciplinary arts festival has been seeking out and presenting contemporary, playful and provocative new work made by Irish and international artists since 1995. This year, the programme of events is as exciting as expected, with theatre, comedy, cabaret, live art, music, and club performances and much more in the pipeline. Plan your full itinerary here.

Jenny Keane’s Sexed Up

13, 14, 15 & 17 September, Cork Opera House, Vicar Street, and Mandella Hall, Belfast

Jenny is a holistic sex educator, who has ignited a sexual revolution in Ireland. Her teaching makes sex education simple, fun and unashamedly normal, a crusader for self-love through self-exploration and pleasure. This show will teach singles and couples alike how to have good healthy fun. With a well-established online following Jenny’s shows regularly pull in thousands of viewers and now is your chance to experience her show LIVE! With interviews, demos, audience interaction, performances, giveaways and goodie bags this show is not to be missed.

DruidO’Casey

Until 16 September, Abbey Theatre, Dublin

A Druid production of Sean O’Casey’s Dublin Trilogy: The Plough and the Stars, The Shadow of a Gunman, and Juno and the Paycock will see a company of 18 actors, directed by Tony Award winner Garry Hynes, draw parallels between an Irish past and an international present. Druid weaves O’Casey’s three plays into an epic theatrical event of conflict, national identity and the human toll of war, DruidO’Casey.

BKultured Waves of Sound

16 September, Ballybrannigan Beach, Cork

After an incredible summer of music and magic at Ballybrannigan Beach in East Cork, BKultured Waves of Sound gig series is set to go with an all singing, all dancing, 90s party experience bang on September 16th with a performance from Attention Bébé. The gig series host BKultured Water Kefir is a Cork made fermented sparkling drink that’s equal parts flavoursome refreshment and gut-loving goodness. The gig takes place on the same coastal family farm where BKultured is made and its sister business, food trailer Niamh’s Larder, is stationed – both run by Cork entrepreneur Niamh Hegarty.

Fall Right Into Place

16&17 September, Claregalway

A festival held by renowned label Strange Brew, Fall Right Into Place is held in the grounds of Claregalway Castle for a series of two one-day events. This year’s headliners are Pillow Queens and The Murder Capital, with the likes of Junior Brother, Feather Beds, Elaine Malone, Telebox and THUMPER playing over the weekend.

Galway Oyster Festival

22-24 September, Various locations around Galway

The oldest oyster festival in the world and the most internationally recognised Irish festival after St Patrick’s Day, Galway Oyster Festival was launched in 1954 and continues to grow in size and scope year on year. You can expect top class entertainment, street parades, seafood trails, celebrated hospitality and the start of many new friendships, as well as ‘shucking’ championships that always seem to be a highlight.

Culture Night

22 September, All around Ireland

Culture Night will celebrate its eighteenth edition this year, and with 1800 events taking place across Ireland, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone. For those who don’t know, it’s a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts, seeking to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day. Check out the events in your area here.

Dublin VegFest

23&24 September, Rathmines, Dublin

Set up by a small independent group of people that care deeply about animals, people and our planet. Dublin Vegfest is an important event in the calendar of anyone curious about great ethical food, vegan options, community, health and having the craic. Find out more here.

Oktoberfeis

Throughout September, All around Ireland

From the founders of Bingo Loco, Oktoberfeis features some of Ireland’s top-selling musicians such as Whistlin’ Donkeys, George Murphy & The Rising Sons, Rake the Ashes and many more across 10 locations nationwide this September/October. Putting an Irish twist on the traditional Bavarian experience, think Irish trad bands and dancers, tankards of Irish stouts and beers, authentic Irish food, DJs and an eclectic mix of entertainment and competitions across the evening.

Dingle Food Festival

29 September — 1 October, Various locations around Dingle

Known locally as the Best Weekend of the Year, Dingle Food Festival sees the town come alive as guests descend on the Peninsula from across the globe for the festival weekend. Highlights of the festival include cookery demonstrations, food trail, over 50 market stalls, workshops, street entertainment, children’s events, wine tastings, and much much more. You can also grab a ticket for ‘The Taste Trail’, on which you’ll visit over 70 venues around the town offering tastings of the best food and drink the Peninsula has to offer.