Heading into summer, the May Bank Holiday weekend usually welcomes the first of the festivals - no matter what you're into or who you're hanging out with YourDaysOut.ie's Ciaran Dunne has something for everyone on his list.
There is music, arts, street theatre, family days out and plenty of fun all scheduled to take place over the weekend right across the country.
We've narrowed the list down to 10 things to do in Ireland this weekend.
1) Drogheda Arts Festival
One of the first festivals of the summer started earlier this week and continues through the Bank Holiday weekend with a programme of events that includes theatre, music, tours, literature, visual art and family activities for all ages. There are outdoor events scheduled on Saturday where the kids can learn circus tricks or just enjoy watching the experts.
2) Festival of Fools, Belfast
A fun festival where some of the top street artists from around the world give more than 120 free performances over the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend. Acts will be performing on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in Bank Square, Cornmarket, Cotton Court, Saint. Annes's Square and Writers' Square.
3) Lord Mayor's Day, Belfast
If you are in Belfast at the weekend you can enjoy the Lord Mayor's Day on the lawns of City Hall. There will be lots of live music, arts and crafts activities and workshops for children with traditional folk art activities as well as age-friendly walking tours of Belfast city centre.
4) Riverfest, Limerick
Limerick's biggest festival will feature waterfront events, Ireland's largest BBQ event, water activities and spectacular performances by world champion wakeboarders and jet ski riders, along with a very spectacular fireworks display.
5) Kilkenny Roots Festival
The ever-popular music festival has been going since 1998 and the line-up never fails to disappoint. With over eighty free and ticketed acts in thirty different venues, there is something for every taste. There’s a mixture of old and new acts from swing to bluegrass, rockabilly to cajun, folk and the blues. Headline acts include Yola Carter, David Kitt and The Americans.
6) Connemara Mussel Festival
2017 is the 12th Connemara Mussel Festival. Originally established to promote the excellence of the mussels of Killary Harbour, the festival has grown to become a celebration of local people, food, culture and heritage. Events include cooking demonstrations, storytelling, exhibitions, talks, walks, runs, treasure hunts and dancing.
7) Feile na Bealtaine, Dingle
A community-based arts festival to make artistic and cultural events accessible to all who live and visit the Dingle Peninsula. The fun programme includes music, dance, theatre, literature, lectures and much more. Events include Kila for Kids where the band will introduce children to the many varied instruments they play.
8) National Museum Country Life, Mayo
The museum in Turlough Park, Mayo has plenty of free events lined up over the weekend including a May Eve - Take a dash of the churn where Pat Broderick demonstrates the traditional technique of butter-making and learn about the customs associated with the month of May on 30th April from 2-3pm.
9) City of Derry Jazz Festival
Imelda May will feature as the headline act at the five-day festival on Sunday 30th April and Monday 1st May at The Millennium Forum. The festival is an annual celebration of jazz and big bands featuring artists from all over the world and welcoming more than 40,000 revellers over the bank holiday weekend.
10) Woolapalooza Sheep & Farm Festival, Airfield Estate
Airfield Estate in Dundrum, Dublin host their annual Woolapalooza Farm Festival over two days over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They have organised a fun-packed schedule of farm activities including egg collecting, milking, sheep dog trials, crafts, games, demonstrations and much, much more.
11) Mayo Day
Now in its third year, is a celebration of Mayo-ness organised by the County Council with participation from lots of shops, bars restaurants and businesses offering special deals and discounts.
There are also lots of events and activities organised across the country over the weekend including a fun family day of events at the Mall in Castlebar, live music and fireworks display in Westport and a 'Green and Red of Mayo’ singalong walk along the beautiful Bowers Riverside Walk and a special concert by Ryan Sheridan in Ballina. Full details on Mayo.ie
