With a long weekend stretching out before us, now is the perfect time to book into a show, organise a date night, or plan a catch-up with the gang.
Board in Dublin 8 is hosting a full retro games fest on Sunday, 3 August. Kicking off at 12pm, the day will include old school movie screenings, a retro games market and swap whop, and board games available to rent. This will be followed by a full Mario Kart showdown complete with 8–Bit Funk on backing track. It will be the childhood birthday party you always dreamed of, and tickets cost just €5.
Ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Aimsir Theatre is bringing their time-bending show to the DU Players Theatre at Trinity College on 1-2 August. This two-hander show drifts between a scorched desert and the burning suburbs. It's about a house, a dog, and a very important question: where are we going?
GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival 2025
Running from Thursday, 31 July 2025 - Monday, 4 August 2025, the GAZE film festival is Ireland's largest LGBTQIA film event. The Irish Film Institute and The Lighthouse Cinema will both be hosting screenings across the weekend. See the full programme here.
On Sunday, 3 August, from 11am - 4pm, Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park is hosting a full day of creative events for all the family to enjoy. The day will include some of Ireland's best children's authors and illustrators, including Bex Sheridan, Oisin McGann, Sadhbh Rosenstock, Leona Forde, Tarsila Krüse, and Jolene and Lily Mae Cox. Get your next book recommendation from the Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic, then try your hand at several musical instruments at the Music Generation Dublin City workshop.
Tarot and Pottery Painting Night
On Saturday, 2 August, Dublin Pottery in Smithfield is hosting a night of mystical creativity. Create a gorgeous piece of pottery over your two-hour slot, and get a quick reading to find out what your future holds. You can bring your own drinks and snacks, and a €5 ticket will reserve your spot (you will then pay for the ceramic of your choice on arrival).
Free Family Céilí at IMMA Courtyard
The Irish Museum of Modern Art is hosting a free family céilií from 14:00 - 15:15 in their courtyard on Sunday, 3 August. There will be live music and simple two hand dances, waltzes and circle dances which will be suitable for all ages and dancing abilities. There will also be some sean nós dance performances on the day.
Gallery Talk: Ella Bertilsson in conversation with Aideen Barry
Faigh Amach (Irish, roughly translated as 'discover') is a new initiative by Temple Bar Gallery + Studios. On Friday, 1 August, Ella Bertilsson, alongside Kathy Tynan and Emily Waszak, were selected through an open call to take part in this group exhibition. The talk includes a short introduction to Ella Bertilsson's work which is on view as part of the group exhibition Faigh Amach.
