"Can't bring back time. Like holding water in your hand", said James Joyce in Ulysses.
So, the weekend of Bloomsday really is the perfect time to live in the moment and create some more fun memories.
It's also Fathers' Day on Sunday. (Hint, Hint)
Fortunately, we are again spoilt for choice with loads of activities and events all over Ireland covering every father's age and interests. Below are some of our favourites from YourDaysOut. Have fun!
1) Cork Summer Show
This year’s Cork Summer Show, Munster's Largest Agricultural Show, takes place on Saturday and Sunday with entertainment & fun for all the family.
Featuring the region's largest food market, Taste Cork, pet dog show, kids zone and play area, petting farm, breeding competitions, pony showing, horse jumping, flower demonstrations, a fashion and live catwalk tent and much more.
2) Kilbroney Vintage Show
Celebrating its 33rd year, the show has become one of Europe's largest classic vehicles show featuring cars, tractors, motorcycles and more. There is plenty of entertainment to keep all the family happy including comedy, music, funfair, children's workshops, food stands and more.
3) Bloomsday
Bloomsday celebrates Thursday, 16 June 1904, the day depicted in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. The Bloomsday Festival is now a week-long event from 11th to 16th featuring guided tours, music, theatre, workshops, readings and lots of straw boater hats.
Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, venue for the funeral of the fictional Paddy Dignam on the book, will run a series of events including a Joycean themed breakfast & lunch in the Tower Café, a reading of the ‘Hades’ episode of Ulysses performed by the Joycestagers, and a Joycean tour of the cemetery itself. You can also get a photography with James Joyce at the National Wax Museum.
4) The Irish Maritime Festival
Ireland’s largest annual Maritime Festival celebrates the maritime history and heritage alongside brilliant musical performers, delicious food and lots of family-friendly fun in Drogheda next weekend.
5) Eatyard Crisp Festival
Why didn't anyone think of this before. A weekend festival that celebrates crips featuring all your old favourites. Events over the weekend include a Brennan's Bread Crisp Sambo Station, O’Donnells Spin The Wheel, Hunky Dory Cheeky Chipper, Crisps specials from the Eatyard vendors and more.
6) Limerick Races | Summer Twilight Race Meeting
Revel in a summer afternoon of horse racing and entertainment at Greenmount Park. With seven great races to enjoy on the track, plus live music 'til late from local act Tiny Giants, it'll be a great day out for the entire family.
7) Taste of Dublin
Described as 'four indulgent days where the city’s latest, greatest and hottest restaurants each fashion together exquisite signature dishes, allowing visitors to create their dream tasting menu at the ultimate foodie festival'. What more can I add?
8) Cork Midsummer Festival
Cork's largest annual multi-disciplinary arts festival runs from 15-24 June and features 56 events including theatre, off-site performances, contemporary and popular music, participatory projects, free events, a family programme, dance, debate, ideas, and visual art.
9) Hell & Back
Kilruddery Estate is again the venue for the summer Hell & Back adventure run. The adults get the action started on Saturday with a 7km and 12km course that will test your physical and mental endurance.
On Sunday, the children get to join in the fun with Junior, Teen and Family runs over a shorter course that will still require lots of climbing over and under obstacles, ensuring everyone returns tired, muddy and happy.
10) Dublin City Velodrome
As part of National Bike Week, the world’s only pop-up velodrome returns to Smithfield Square, Dublin from Thursday 14th to Saturday 15th. The three-day family-friendly event is free and will include live entertainment, music, kids’ activities, special guest appearances and great cycle sport entertainment.
11) Wains World, Buncrana
To celebrate the launch of their new birthday party packages, Wains World play centre in Buncrana is hosting a fun party on Saturday morning from 10:00 - 11:30am.
There will be free treats, face painting, games, meet-and-greet Disney characters and TJ Teddy, reduced rate Teddy or Jumping Clay making as well as some incredible door prizes to won.
12) Oughterard Trails Festival
This walking festival has it all, a fun-filled weekend programme for all the family on the beautiful shores of Lough Corrib. Events include Inchagoill Island Trail, Biking at Derroura, Theatre at the Lake Hotel and live music in the Boat Inn.
13) Bia Lover Festival
Bia Lover is one of the biggest regional food events and attracts thousands of food lovers to Athenry.
The festival centrepiece will once again be its’ producer market as well as music and dance, a multicultural food tasting, baking competitions, BBQ competition, children’s activities and lots more fun and entertainment.
Three things to do next week:
1) Cruinniú na nÓg
Free, local and activity-based events throughout Ireland to encourage children and young people’s participation in culture and creativity through performance, coding, theatre, art and music workshops, readings, screenings, special events and much more. It’s a day for ‘doing’, ‘making’ and ‘creating’!
2) Midsummer Arts Festival
Returning for a third year, the festival in Naas has loads of fun events over the weekend including live music from Jack L in the Moat Theatre, Kids Art Academy and fun in Poplar Square with face painting, live music, a carousel and more.
3) Sea Sessions
Sea Sessions is one of Ireland’s most popular small festivals. Situated right on a beach in Bundoran, the capital of Irish Surfing – it is the only event in the country bringing together the unique lifestyle aspects of surfing, skating, BMX, beach sports and more, into a three-day camping festival featuring popular acts like Dizzee Rascal and Walking on Cars.
