This Bank Holiday weekend marks the start of Ireland's long summer festival season. From comedy to music (lots of music), super gardens and beyond, we round up some of this holiday weekend's top fests
Forbidden Fruit - Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, June 3 to 5
The starting whistle (Vicks VapoRub optional) for the summer festival season, Forbidden Fruit is the Dublin city music fest which has established itself as a big name event with none of the joy/terror of camping and entrapment by the weather gods.
Billed as a unique city centre festival combining music, art, fashion, food and, well, good vibes, FF is set across four stages (Original Stage, Undergrowth, Lighthouse, Someplace Else) and it offers an eclectic selection of music.
Over the past five years, Forbidden Fruit has served up lots of goodies in the sylvan pastures (kinda) of the Irish Museum of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham and this June Bank Holiday’s three day event er will echo to the sounds of Tame Impala, Underworld Jungle and Dizzee Rascal.
Other big draws include Skepta, Flume, Jungle, Pusha T and DJ sets from veterans Groove Armada and Leftfield. All this and Trinity Orchestra, Voxx, Hidden Agenda DJs, 4wrd Grad, Jack Dunne, Dan Stitch, Jack Thompson, Aaron Nolan, Eve, Al Gibbs, Hidden Flux DJs, Bruce Willis DJs and Shakatoner.
Plus The Malibu Club Stage, The Rnb Club Stage and the Deece Stage. See full line-up here.
Urban and maybe even a touch urbane, Forbidden Fruit is perfect for those who like their home comforts. A weekend ticket costs €119, Sunday is sold out, but Friday and Saturday tickets are still available for €59.50.
Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2016, June 2 to June 5
All roads and riffs lead to Ballyshannon in Co Donegal, the birthplace of Ireland’s greatest guitar hero - Mr Rory Gallagher. This is a special four-day celebration remembering Rory G 21 years after his sad passing aged just 47.
The man, the gentleman and the legend was born in the suitably named Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon in 1948 and this festival was founded in his honour in 2002. Since then over 10,000 fans every year worship at the altar of Rory and this is one festival with a growing international reputation.
There is a dizzying array of pub and session gigs throughout the whole weekend and on Saturday night, the Festival Big Top features The Wilko Johnson Band, Sinnerboy, Dave McHugh Band and The Mike Brookfield Band.
Bandon Music Festival
It's the festival's 20th year and the headline acts are The Riptide Movement (on Saturday) and Delorentos (Sunday), with support from local acts Ruby Jude and Jupe.
The weekend kicks off on Friday with Uí Bhriain Ceilí Band to the Munster Arms for the Humours of Bandon Ceilì. In addition to the headline concerts, the Bandon Music Festival also features a free music trail with bands playing at participating pubs all across the weekend each night until 2.00am. Tickets cost €20 per adult for weekend entry, and €15 for a day-ticket.
The Cat Laughs
The annual Kilkenny comedy fest is running from Thursday until Sunday, and the big ticket events are almost certainly sold out, as per usual.
Jason Byrne, Rich Hall, Sean Hughes, Al Porter, Reg D Hunter, Deirdre O'Kane and Hector are just some of the many acts performing this year, so there's no harm in heading down - there'll be plenty of choice on offer.
Bloom
Bloom is back for its 10th year and the Phoenix Park event is ideal for all the family. Showcasing some of the most beautiful plant displays and designer gardens, as well as cooking demonstrations and artisan Irish food produce, what more could you want on a sunny bank holiday?
Organised by Bord Bia, Bloom is more than just a traditional garden show, and taking place in a site of over 70 acres it's a real day out.
With over 23 gardens on show there is plenty to look at and soak in, with special workshops for children being run across the weekend and a host of interactive events.
Movie fans should check out the award-winning Legend of Tarzan garden which is based on the upcoming film starring Alexander Skargard and Margot Robbie. The film swings into Irish cinemas on July 8 and the garden invites visitors into a verdant African jungle which incorporates an overheard canopy of foliage and a sparkling water feature that creates a magical atmosphere sure to engage the little ones' imaginations.
Visitors to the garden will also have the opportunity to enter a competition to win tickets to the European Premiere of The Legend of Tarzan in London on July 5, so it's definitely worth dropping by.
The Food Village is another must-see, with a fresh food market boasting an incredible array of Irish produce and locally sourced food and drink. There'll also be some cooking demonstrations from some of Ireland's top celebrity chefs.
For more information on Bloom, head on over to bloominthepark.com.
RTÉ Lifestyle has a round-up of all of this summer's festivals.
