By Sarah Finnan
29th May 2023
29th May 2023
From trad sessions to plant festivals, sunset alpaca picnics (like a teddy bear picnic, but better) to karaoke nights, here are 16 fun events to look forward to next month.
Dalkey Book Festival
Running since 2010, the Dalkey Book Festival will return once again this summer from June 15-18. A festival that celebrates literary talent and hosts some of the world’s leading writers and thinkers, this year’s guests include comedian Dylan Moran, U2 frontman Bono and even Hollywood actor Tom Hanks.
Cork Midsummer Festival
An annual multi-disciplinary arts festival that uses the city as its backdrop and inspiration, Cork Midsummer Festival gets into gear June 14-25. Expect exhilarating theatre, dance and music, trailblazing ideas, joyful spectacle and so much more. Director Caitríona McLaughlin’s take on the Samuel Beckett play, Happy Days, starring Siobhán McSweeney is sure to be a highlight. Book your tickets here.
Vhi women’s mini-marathon
The largest all women’s event of its kind in the world, the Vhi women’s mini marathon takes place every June bank holiday weekend in Dublin City centre. Over 1.1 million women have entered the race over the course of its 40-year existence, and this year will be no different. If running isn’t your thing, getting out to show your support is just as important.
Galway Ukulele Fest
Taking place in the famous Latin Quarter of Galway City, the Galway Ukulele Festival hosts an annual weekend of concerts, street event spectacles, competitions, workshops and more – all celebrating the humble ukulele. 2023 artists include Ukulele Simon, League of Ukulele Gentlemen, Zoe Bestel, Roisin Erskine, The Sneaky Tequilas & The Galway Ukers amongst others.
Taste of Dublin
Taking up its summer residency from June 15-18, Taste of Dublin will set up camp in the Iveagh Gardens for four days of feasting. From Italian to Middle Eastern and Irish to Indian, the festival showcases the best in food with some of the country’s finest restaurants bringing exclusive dishes for attendees to indulge in.
Belsonic
Belsonic returns to Ormeau Park this June, bringing an impressive mix of international headline acts to the heart of Belfast city centre – from Lionel Richie to The Prodigy, Paolo Nutini and Florence & The Machine. Find the full 2023 line-up here.
Karaoke Friday, Pálás Galway
Consider yourself a die-hard karaoke fan? Then get yourself to Pálás in Galway for their Friday night singsong, hosted by Dónal Tuipéar. Entry is free but best get down early if you want to grab a good seat.
Mourne Alpacas Sunset Supper
Watch the sunset with cria (baby alpaca) pronking and alpacas grazing. First, you’ll get to meet the alpacas, then you’ll settle down together at one of the picnic tables for a scrumptious supper box for two, with a bottle of Prosecco to boot. More details here.
Galway Sessions Festival
Each June, pipes, fiddles and concertinas come to life in the hands of folk legends down in Co Galway, the cultural heart of Ireland. A fixture on the summer festival calendar, The Sessions attracts international guests to the City of Tribes for live musical performances in world-renowned pubs like The Crane Bar, The Quays Bar and The Kings Head.
George Ezra Live At Musgrave Park
One of many live music events happening down in Rebel County this summer, George Ezra will take to the stage at Musgrave Park on June 11 – just days after his first Irish show of the year in Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre. Limited tickets still remain and you can get yours here.
Bord Bia Bloom
Ireland’s largest and most spectacular gardening event, Bord Bia Bloom is every plant parent’s dream weekend. Running from June 1-5 in Phoenix Park, there’s plenty planned across the five days and is a great coming together for garden designers, flower growers, landscapers, plantaholics, garden-furniture makers, food fanatics and anyone who loves to garden.
Swiftogeddon, The Róisín Dubh
Though it’s unlikely we’ll be lucky enough to nab tickets to Swift’s Eras Tour (they’re like absolute gold dust), you can bet that we’ll be boogying to some of her greatest hits at Swiftogeddon in the Róisín Dubh this summer. Sadly, the event is already sold out but you can join the waiting list in case there are any last-minute cancellations.
Cork Harbour Festival
Ireland’s largest celebration of maritime culture, the Cork Harbour Festival is always a fun, family-friendly event with over 80 activities planned across 10 days in 12 beautiful locations around Cork city and county. Highlighting Cork’s greatest natural amenities, Cork Harbour and the river Lee, the festival programme includes events near, in and on the harbour and river.
Banbridge Buskfest
Every year the streets of Banbridge town centre fill up with hundreds of musicians, singers, bands, solo artists and street performers from across the globe, there for Banbridge Buskfest and to entertain passersby in the hope of winning a prize from the £3,000 cash pot. Always a fun day out, it’s especially good if the weather cooperates… which we’re hoping it will, so good thoughts only until June 24th, you hear!?
Bulmers Secret Orchard
Bulmers has announced details of their next Secret Orchard gig, set to take place at The Reg in Waterford on June 9th. Aonair will headline with support from Molumby and Rachel Mae Hannon. More info and ticket details here.
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival
Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival joyfully engages audiences through a creative and imaginative programme of opera and classical music in the beautiful Blackwater Valley, Co Waterford. Showcasing both emerging Irish talent alongside established international artists, the action kicked off today and runs until June 5th with a jam-packed schedule of things to do until then.
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