The festivals and fairs are coming thick and fast now, as we head towards the summer.
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There are loads of different events this week including National Drawing Day, National Biodiversity Week, the Enchanted Fairy & Elf Festival while the popular Flugtag returns to Dún Laoghaire.
1) The Enchanted Fairy & Elf Festival
The 10th annual fundraiser in aid of Sensational Kids takes place again in Rathwood this weekend. Young Fairies & Elves will begin the festival by decorating your very own wooden fairy house, which is yours to take home with you.
Continue the journey with a train ride accompanied by some very special guests into The Enchanted Fairy & Elf Forest for some fun in the Fairy Barn and returning to the festival area for lots of fun and activities.
2) Biodiversity Week
Over 50 events will be taking place all across Ireland encouraging us to get up close and personal with our natural environments and celebrate our diverse species and habitats including Biodiversity Workshops for children at the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun and a Biodiversity Walk & Talk in the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre.
3) Red Bull Flugtag
Red Bull Flugtag lands back in Ireland this weekend for some foolish flying feats! Located in Dún Laoghaire harbour on Sunday afternoon, it's a guaranteed fun day out for all!
Who will attempt to defy gravity and become a Flugtag champion?
4) Balmoral Show
The Balmoral Show is one of Ireland's largest agri-food events that entertains and educates the entire family, and will again run over four days this year from 16th - 19th May.
5) National Botanic Garden
Budding Artists are encouraged to take a closer look at the natural world all around them to inspire fun art-making activities in a creative workshop especially for younger children, ages 4-7, on Saturday from 11.00am-12.30pm.
Older children, 8 to 12-year-olds, can take part in Hardy Annuals on Saturday afternoon from 14:00 - 16:00 to observe, engage, and be inspired by their surroundings in an art programme that encourages the use materials in fun and interesting ways.
6) Biodiversity Week | Rockpooling
Join the OWLS, Children's Nature Charity on Sunday morning at Sandycove Beach for a fun family event.
Search the rock pools for the creatures that hide beneath! How many different kinds of crabs, starfish, anemones can you find? They will provide nets, buckets and charts to help you discover all sorts of life. All events this week aim to be "Plastic Free" so try not to bring any one-use plastic items.
The event is free but must be booked in advance. Please contact Turtle on education@owls.ie to book a place or for more info.
7) Biodiversity Day at Castle Espie
Visit Castle Espie this weekend for this special day dedicated to the wonders of biodiversity where you can explore spring wildlife around the reserve, learn more about birds nesting and see new spring wildflowers, which will be in full bloom.
8) West Wicklow Festival
Following the success of last year’s inaugural edition, the festival has doubled the number of concerts this year with a programme that includes chamber works from Bach and Brahms amongst others.
The combination of amazing venues - including Russborough House -stellar musicians, and exemplary compositions makes the West Wicklow Festival unmissable for classical music fans.
9) Limerick Racecourse
Limerick Racecourse’s Family Fun days are the perfect treat for the whole family: the folks can go and enjoy the racing and the socialising while the kids will be kept busy by fun and games in the activities area in the main stand.
Free entertainment on Sunday, with bouncy obstacle course and slide, face painting, balloon modelling, crazy golf, games, onsite playground and lots more. Children under 12 years go free and a special online offer of two adults only €20 when you book online.
10) Wexford Funfair
Fox McFadden Funfairs continue at Wexford Racecourse this weekend with a fantastic offer - most rides are only €1 when you buy a book of 10!
They are open from 6:30 on Friday and 2.30pm on Saturday and Sunday with fun attractions suitable for all families and ages.
11) National Archaeology Museum | National Drawing Day
The National Museum of Ireland presents a special event for National Drawing Day on Saturday morning -Storyboard: How the Ardagh Chalice was lost and found.
Join award-winning children’s illustrator Mark Wickham to storyboard how the Ardagh Chalice was rediscovered 150 years ago by a boy digging potatoes at a ring fort and today remains one of Ireland’s most iconic objects. Suitable for 6-10-year-olds but booking in advance is essential.
12) Gospel Rising Music Festival
Now in its ninth year, the 2018 Gospel Rising Music Festival is heading for the buzzing city of Galway for another weekend of fun and music! There's no competition – instead, it's a weekend for getting together, sharing, learning and of course, plenty of singing!
13) North West 200
The Vauxhall International North West 200 is Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event with a full race week festival featuring lots of local family events and, of course, the race itself on May 19th.
14) Bealtaine Living Earth Festival
The Bealtaine Living Earth Festival is the perfect way to spend a little time thinking about the earth in a constructive and useful way.
There is a public programme of events from May 19th - 27th across the south-east, including this weekend's Rocky Shore Ecology Walk, Rockpool Exploration and a Children’s Workshop at JFK Arboretum
15) National Drawing Day 2018 | National Gallery
The National Gallery of Ireland hosts a celebration of drawing and creativity, with events and activities for all ages on Saturday.
Events include Drawing Live, Drawing for the Virtual World, Life Drawing, Illustrate Together and Sketch the Sky. Admission to Drawing Day is free of charge and all events are FREE, but some must be booked in advance. All materials are provided.
Three things to do next week:
1) Funderland, Limerick
Funderland returns to Limerick from May 24th to June 10th. Based on the Groody Road, Castletroy, they will have another exciting line-up of attractions to entertain the whole family.
2) Battle for the Bay
The Battle for the Bay returns to Dollymount Beach in Dublin with the annual festival of fun, wind, water and fun!
3) Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival
A multi-site festival highlighting the stunningly beautiful surroundings of Ballycastle town, Rathlin Island and the waters in between.
