Today is Bastille Day and ITTN Ireland wish all our French family and friends a wonderful day celebrating. Though activities are a bit limited this year, you can still get a feel for La Belle France with a programme of entertainment from the French Embassy and some suggestions from us.
French Friday and LePetitJournal.com Dublin in association with the French Embassy in Ireland and the Alliance Française Network are delighted to present a fun programme of free online events for adults and kids alike. These events will take place on the Facebook page from 16.30 ending with a live DJ set of French contemporary music.
PROGRAMME: Wednesday July 14th 2021
16h30 – 16h45 : Cooking demo for kids and Reading in French by Aurélie Languages (Facebook Live)
17h30 – 18h00 : French Ambassador’s speech and Anthems (Facebook Live)
From 18h00 available until 17th July : French Movie ’C’est la vie’ (’Le sens de la Fête’) Pre-Book & Watch here
18h05 – 18h10 : Video Compilation ’What Bastille Day means to you ?!’ (Facebook Live)
18h15 – 18h30 : Cooking Demo in French by Alliance Française de Dublin (Facebook Live)
18h30 – 18h35 : Video Compilation ’What Bastille Day means to you ?!’ (Facebook Live)
18h35 – 18h40 : Presentation of ’Waterford walls International Street Arts Festival’ in French by Alliance Française Waterford/Wexford (Facebook Live)
18h40 – 18h45 : Video Compilation ’What Bastille Day means to you ?!’ (Facebook Live)
19h00 – 19h15 : Live Quiz (Facebook Live)
19h15- 19h20 : Quiz and competitions winners announcement (Facebook Live)
19h30 – 20h10 : DJ Set (on MixCloud)
French influenced restaurant suggestions for Bastille Day
Due to Covid-19 restrictions many French restaurants around the country will still be closed. However, there are some that do have outdoor dining and will be open to serve you traditional French cuisine.
Chez Max , Palace Street, Dublin at the gates of Dublin Castle has some outdoor space and serves from breakfast through lunch to dinner. Classic French bistro food. Chez Max
L’Gueleton, Fade Street , Dublin, has managed to squeeze quite a few tables outdoors and is always busy and lively. The French Onion Soup is a true classic. L’Gueleton
Le Perroquet on Upper Leeson Street, is a lovely neighbourhood French café, serving lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays dinner from 6pm to close, Le Perroquet.
Rolys Bistro, Ballsbridge, Dublin – has being bringing an Irish twist to classic French food for more than 25 years. Dinner is served from 5 – 8pm at present, Rolys.
Rouge Lr. Dominick Street, Galway – Due to lockdown, Rouge has become a café and takeaway, as it only has a few seats outside, open 8 – 5pm, It serves classic French pastries and snacks. Rouge Galway.
L’Etoile Du Nord, 407 Ormeau Road in Belfast. If you are looking for escargot and crepes, this is where you will find it in Belfast. Bring your own favourite French wine. L’Etoile du Nord
French Rooms at Bushmills, Co. Antrim is where you will find the perfect Tart Flambée and the famous Tarte Tatin. This restaurant specialises in classic French cuisine.
You could combine a trip with a visit to the famous Bushmills Distillery and the Giant’s Causeway. The French Rooms.
Limerick and the French
The capital of the Midwest has a long association with France and the newly opened Wild Geese Museum in the old St. Munchin’s Church on King’s Island will celebrate the city’s heritage. It will give an overview of those who left Ireland over the centuries and went to fight in foreign armies in France, across Europe and the world.
The term Wild Geese was originally coined to refer more specifically to the 14,000 Jacobite soldiers and their families who left Limerick in 1691. They were led by Patrick Sarsfield, following the signing of the Treaty of Limerick. So, the majority of them, including Sarsfield, ended up joining the French army of King Louis XIV.
Many of them, and their descendants, settled and prospered in France. A significant number of them, known as the ‘wine geese’, in the Bordeaux engaging in wine production. So greatly contributing to strengthening the links between France and Ireland.
Hotels Associated with France
In 1969 when he stepped down as President of France, Charles de Gaulle and his wife made Ireland their home for six weeks to escape the world media. They first stayed in Sneem in the Heron Cove Hotel, no longer existing. And then they stayed for the longest time in Cashel House Hotel in Connemara. They loved the peace and quiet of Ireland. Cashel House is still in existence and a lovely warm country house hotel overlooking Cashel Bay, rooms from €220 B&B, cashelhouse.ie.
French Films and Television Series for that Gallic Feel
C’Est La Vie –this witty comedy tells the story of a chaotic wedding party set in a beautiful 17th century French château.
This free online screening is presented as part of the Online Bastille Day Ireland celebration by the French Embassy in Ireland and the Alliance Française network in association with French Friday and LePetitJournal.com Dublin. Available from Wednesday 14 July, 6pm – until July 17th. Free Online Screening – Limited tickets available
In French with English subtitles, Info, Free Bookings & Watch here
‘Le Bureau’ – over the course of five thrilling seasons, we follow the fortunes of a division of the French secret services and their missions in various hotspots around the globe. Le Figaro has called it the best tv series ever; I’m not sure I think it’s the absolute best, but it’s definitely in my top five, said Fionn Davenport, Editor ITTN. Available on Amazon Prime and Youtube.
Discover the last episode of Vois-tu Gab…, an original 7-part literary series created by French actor, stage director, and author Franck Berthier for Alliance Française Dublin, in which he reminisces about a youthful romance with the late Irish actress Gabrielle Reidy.