Get out and enjoy your Bank Holiday weekend.
There’s only one thing better than a weekend and that’s a Bank Holiday weekend. The three-day weekend is upon us and, as ever, we’ve come up with some suggestions for stuff to get up to.
The weather is looking OK, so there is no excuse not to get out and enjoy yourself.
K-FEST Arts & Music Festival
K-FEST is a dynamic arts festival with an emphasis on emerging artists, using unoccupied spaces in Killorglin in Kerry.
Vacant retail outlets, deserted buildings, and even domestic homes will be curated into bespoke pop-up galleries and venues over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
K-FEST hosts more than 60 events in addition to a gallery trail, including live music performances by dozens of up-and-coming bands and musicians, as well as spoken word, drama, comedy, short films, street entertainment and activities for kids and families.
Oakfest
Taking place in gorgeous Donegal, in the Oaklands Park in Raphoe, Oakfest is a music event like no other, with a top class billing, trains circling the stages, artisan food producers and prosecco, beer and wine bars, an alcohol-free zone and views to die for in one of the top gardens in the country.
Oakfield Park’s crowning glory is a 4.5km narrow gauge railway with a diesel and steam train operating passenger trips daily.
This is a magical way to explore the park’s gardens as the train passes through flower meadows, beautiful woodlands, willow tunnels, oak circles, boardwalks, heritage trees, a wooden causeway and sparkling streams and lakes and, best of all, it will be running all weekend.
Vantastival
Vantastival returns to the beautiful grounds of Beaulieu House in Drogheda this weekend, combining Irish entertainment with a celebration of campervan culture.
Vantastival 2019 will bring a great mix of people together in a beautiful location to enjoy the best of Irish music of all genres, with food, comedy, workshops and much more thrown in for good measure.
Organisers are aiming to make Vantastival 2019 a completely carbon neutral festival.
With a BYOB policy and three-day, two-day and single-day ticket options, it aims to be one of the most affordable festivals in Ireland.
Bloom
Bloom is back again in the Phoenix Park and it is a festival which is growing in popularity and size year on year.
Bord Bia’s annual showcase of the best of Ireland’s horticulture and food industry will once again feature a range of impressive show gardens, food, music, fashion, lively debate and family entertainment.
Visitors can sample some of Ireland’s premier food and drink, and enjoy an array of live music, fashion shows and kids entertainment. If you have kids, fear not, as under 16s go free.
Other highlights of Bloom include a wide range of Irish craft, cookery demonstrations with some of Ireland’s finest celebrity chefs and fun activities for all the family.
Burrishoole Loop Walks Festival
This annual event takes place in Newport in Mayo. Suitable for walkers of all abilities, guides will take people around the fabulous scenic area of West Mayo, looking out into the beautiful Clew Bay and over to Croagh Patrick .
Each morning, a fresh packed lunch is provided, as well as transportation to and from the walks and refreshments on return.
On Sunday night, local musicians will be on hand to entertain the walkers in Newport.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
