When does Spring actually start in Ireland?
Some people say that the pagan festival of Imbolc, St Brigit's Day on February 1st, is the start of spring. Others point to the vernal equinox when the Sun crosses the equator heading north for the summer. This year it falls on March 20th.
Meanwhile, Met Eireann will tell you that Spring starts this week, on March 1st.
Well, the weather is not playing its part, with the forecast for the weekend to be cold, with strong winds and plenty of rain.
While it's not ideal, it is perfect weather for some fun, indoor activities and events and we've listed a few of our favourites below.
Have fun!
1) Seachtain-na-Gaeilge
An fhéile Ghaeilge is mó in Éirinn & ar fud an domhain - The biggest Irish language festival in Ireland & around the world! Bain triail aisti - 1-17 Márta!
Seachtain na Gaeilge is a community festival where each local community organises different events. From music nights to historical tours through Irish in the country's castles, there is an event for everyone.
2) Engineers Week
Engineers Week launches this weekend with a special open day in Dublin on Saturday and Sunday featuring Lego Bricks Challenge Workshop, Silly Billy Science Show and Electric You by Explorium.
NUI Galway will also host a Family Fun Day on Saturday with plenty of science and engineering shows, movie screening, workshops and hands-on activities that will inspire young (and older!) people.
3) Mother Tongues Festival, Dublin
A celebration of the thousands of languages that exist around the world, the unique Mother Tongues Festival is being held at the Rua Red Arts Centre and the Civic Theatre this weekend with two days of live performances, hands-on workshops and a full immersion into the fun world of languages.
4) Ennis Book Club Festival
After another hugely successful Festival last year, the annual Ennis Book Club Festival will be back with its unique mix of readings, discussion, comedy and chat in one of Ireland's friendliest towns.
Events this weekend include Children’s Book Club, Family Story Time, Pop-up Book Club with Lunch and the Rick O’Shea Book Club Special.
5) Old Cork Waterworks Family Day
Celebrate Engineers Week with Old Cork Waterworks Experience with their family fun engineering themed open day on Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Admission is free and children and adults may enjoy a series of stands and activities to discover the many roles of engineering.
6) Dabbledoo Music Workshops - Belltable
Dabbledoo Music, this Saturday, makes music more engaging and fun for all the family, regardless of ability. Everyone is provided with instruments to play along to Igor The Octopus, learn melody with Jazz Cat and even play an Irish Polka. Workshops for 5-8 at 12pm and 8-12 at 2pm.
7) Peat | The Ark
The Ark presents the world premiere of a brand new theatre show for ages 8+ running from 28th February to 31st March. On the edge of a town, in the middle of a bog, halfway between a school and a housing estate, Ray and Jo have come to dig a hole.
Peat is the story of the things they bury, and the things they find. With lightness and humour, this new play for children asks big questions about life, death, time and history.
8) Croke Park Junior Explorers Tour
The GAA Museum at Croke Park is bringing back its popular Junior Explorer Tour every Saturday Saturday morning until May 18th.
The family-friendly tour was created to bring to life the magic of the home of Gaelic games for younger visitors, with the countries littlest GAA fans set to take over the iconic stadium.
9) Jawsome Sharks | Sea Life Bray
Take a dive into the deep this spring and become the newest recruits of the Jawsome Rangers and fulfil the mission of finding the missing shark teeth. Guests will be tasked with helping Professor Finn locate the large Play-Doh model shark teeth in the tanks.
10) Scene + Heard Theatre Festival
The Dublin 8 festival provides a platform for new work in the historic Smock Alley theatre with the audience providing feedback directly to the artists that can help in the future development of their work.
The festival concludes this weekend with Dirty Old Town, Powerpoint, Dancing Queen, Fred Cooke and more.
11) Dublin International Film Festival
The DIFF concludes this weekend with a mixture of shorts, film, and documentaries including Dublin on Screen, Prisoners of the Moon, The Merger, Tyrel and more.
Three things to do next week:
1) Engineers Week
Engineers Week continues all next week with a variety of events all over the country.
2) Belfast Children's Festival
Belfast Children's Festival is an annual international festival for children and their accompanying adults from March 8th - 13th with a packed programme of theatre, visual art, music, dance, literature, workshops and talks, guaranteed to inspire joy, creativity and curiosity.
3) Killarney Mountain Festival
Following on from the roaring success of last year, the festival returns and promises an even bigger & better 2019 with a hugely diverse programme of events, running throughout the weekend to suit all the family, the majority of which are FREE!
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