From bluegrass to sea festivals, there’s loads going on.
You know the drill by now. The weekend is upon us and, as is our duty, we’re here to provide you with some suggestions for things to do over the next few days.
The 13th Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival
Taking place in Westport, Co. Mayo over three days, there’ll be loads of folk and bluegrass gigs, more than one massive session, masterclasses and workshops and some local instrument makers will be showcasing their craft to boot.
Festival goers can enjoy a variety of artists as they wander around the town, where most of the performances are free and in local pubs and restaurants.
In addition, every day features an opportunity to attend a special concert event.
Michael Dwyer Festival
This festival has taken place successfully for the last 20 years, promoting traditional music in the Beara Peninsula in West Cork. There are whistle, fiddle, mandolin/banjo and singing workshops to participate in, as well as all the live gigs.
The festival commemorates the late Beara musician and composer, Michael Dwyer, who came from a well known musical family. His family, including brothers Richard and John Dwyer, are both renowned musicians in their own right who take part in the festival every year.
SeaFest
SeaFest, Ireland’s largest free family-friendly maritime celebration, takes place in the Port of Cork in Cork city from 7–9 June.
There is loads to do over the weekend, including cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs Neven Maguire and Rory O’Connell and talks from Met Éireann Head of Forecasting Evelyn Cusack and wildlife cameraman, Doug Allan.
There will be free sailing, kayaking, currach and dragon boat trips on the water, with Irish Sailing, Atlantic Sea Kayaking and Meitheal Mara.
Tours of the Marine Institute’s research vessel RV Celtic Explorer and the Commissioner of Irish Lights’ ILV Granuaile will also take place across the weekend.
The Classic Beatles Presents Abbey Road at 50
The only Beatles tribute band approved by Sir George Martin are coming to perform at the wonderful Everyman Theatre in Cork city. For one night only (Friday), celebrate the iconic Abbey Road album as it reaches the 50th anniversary of its release.
The band will play the album in its entirety, featuring some memorable songs including ‘Come Together’, ‘Something’, ‘Golden Slumber’ and ‘Here Comes the Sun’.
The Loopline Collection at Heritage House
Abbeyleix Heritage House are presenting a series of documentary screenings each Saturday by acclaimed film maker Sé Merry Doyle. They will be showing a sample from ‘The Loopline Collection’, which covers an extraordinary range of films of social and cultural significance.
This Saturday is the third screening of four and it features Patrick Kavanagh – No Man’s Fool. This will be followed by a Q&A and a wine reception with the director afterwards.
The award-winning documentary is a rich visual journey highlighting the contradiction between Kavanagh’s public
persona and his poetry and is a unique and in-depth look at one of our country’s most lauded literary heroes.
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