It’s nearly time for the May Bank Holiday weekend! The closer it gets, the longer the working week feels. But fear not — we’ve got a list of exciting (and some equally relaxing) things you can do during your well-deserved break, with events from Dublin and Galway, all the way to adventures by Ireland’s waterways.
Most importantly, we’re here to find you something to look forward to!
So, what’s on in Dublin?
For the foodies – Happy Days Beer and Food Festival 2024
The Happy Days Beer & Food Festival returns on the 2024 May Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th in Inchicore, Dublin 8.
World class breweries, spirits and cocktails, mouthwatering food vendors, the best DJs, and the guarantee of a great atmosphere. Just ask anyone who’s been!
Tickets are €23 and that will include your reusable pint cup and the offer of a free brewery tour, subject to availability. Admission and access to all the areas is also included in the ticket price. To book, visit Eventbrite.ie.
Pssst…! The festival is dog friendly in all outside areas!
Ready to hit the dancefloor? Kidsyard Family Rave at The Bernard Shaw!
Kidsyard Rave is an inclusive family experience where parents can have just as much fun as their kids. Presented by Bodytonic, old ravers can relive their youth with their kids (and without the hangover!) at the fun filled family friendly raves. Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles and kids are all encouraged to hit the dance floor and have fun. Dancing with your kids is the ultimate sensory experience as kids love seeing the grownups in their lives letting loose and having a good time!
Kidsyard Rave will include glowstick crafts, face painting and bubbles with parachute games on the dancefloor… AND incredible dance tunes with disco lighting! The event will take place at The Bernard Shaw in Drumcondra, Dublin 9.
Tickets are €10 for Adults, €5 for kids, and under 1s go free!
To book, visit eventbrite.ie.
Drink & Draw: Paint The Sugarloaf Mountain (Bob Ross Style)
Painting, music and drinking, what more could you want in a night out? Add in some happy little accidents and you have the perfect night. Create a painting of the Sugarloaf mountain … Bob Ross style!
No experience is necessary to take part and the team will guide you through a painting to the sound of some funky tunes. They will have step-by-step instructions to help you create your own masterpiece.
The event is two hours long and there will be a bar in operation. You will be able to keep your canvas forever after the event.
The event will take place at The Grand Social, Dublin 1, and Tickets are €27
To book, visit eventbrite.ie.
What’s on, Galway?
DIY Flower Crowns, Comedy, Theatre: Inishbofin Arts Festival
Get ready for a celebration of creativity and culture with the much-anticipated Inishbofin Arts Festival on the May Bank Holiday Weekend! Experience a tapestry of creativity with visual arts, mesmerising music, captivating theatre performances, literary delights, amusing comedy and much more. Join in for a cultural celebration against the stunning backdrop of Inishbofin.
The festival will kick off on Friday night, May 3rd, with a wine and cheese reception and the launch of their art exhibition and art trail. To see the full weekend lineup, visit the Inishbofin Arts Festival page. Spoiler: there’s everything from DIY flower crowns, jewelry making to folk tales and physical theatre!
The event will take place at the Inishbofin Community Centre, Galway.
Admission is free for most events, and for paid performances tickets range from €15-30, and you can buy them at Inishbofin.co.uk.
Feeling Artsy? Ed Kelly – ‘Fault & Fold’ Exhibition Launch at Outset Gallery
Outset Gallery’s second exhibition of 2024 is launching Friday night, May 3rd, and you’re all invited!
‘Fault & Fold’ will feature new works from Designer, Musician & Visual Artist Ed Kelly – a showcase of interdisciplinary works and installations that blur the line between contemporary painting and sculpture. This exhibition reflects Kelly’s engagement with the visual and auditory, where each piece invites viewers into a contemplative space of geometric precision and narrative depth.
The launch will run from 6.30pm, with music from resident DJ Mitchpresents and complimentary refreshments from the exhibition partners Kinnegar.
The event will take place at the Outset Gallery, on St. Augustine Street in Galway.
Entry is free however the event is ticketed so get your free admission ticket here and come along for a fantastic night!
May the force be with you! Star Wars Quiz with Womp Events
This May 4th from 7pm, WOMP Events will be bringing you the best quiz this galaxy has ever seen to The Oslo Bar in Salthill. If you joined them on May the 4th last year, fret not young Padawan: there will be no repeat questions here. This will all go towards your Jedi training.
Join them as they sort The Chosen Ones from the Bantha Fodder, and bring balance to the Force with the ultimate Star Wars General Kenobi (sorry, General Knowledge) Quiz. If you know your Wookies from your Ewoks, or your Clones from your Stormtroopers: join the smart side. This is where the fun begins…
This event takes place in The Oslo Bar, Salthill, Galway. A table for 2 costs €10, and a table for 4 is €20. Book your table on thisisgalway.ie.
Looking to get back to nature?
A Bank Holiday away along Ireland’s Waterways is the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure with lots for the entire family to enjoy. Here’s some of the activities to enjoy along the River Shannon.
Eagle Spotting in Mount Shannon – Co. Clare
The Mountshannon Bird Hide in Lough Derg is one of the best places to view the White-Tailed Eagles without disturbing them. The bird hide features telescopes and information displays about Ireland’s largest and most spectacular breeding birds, including the first of the species to be born in the country in 110 years. Being able to view a breeding pair of White-Tailed Sea Eagles in their natural habitat is a unique experience for visitors. It’s open until September each year, and you cab enjoy a spot of lunch in Nuala’s bar in Tuamgraney.
This adventure is free!
Bike or Walk through Portumna Forest Park – Co. Galway
Along the shores of Lough Derg and the Shannon, covering almost 450 hectares, Portumna Forest Park is perfect for a short leisure walk or cycle. The forest’s looped walking trail is only 1.4km and is wheelchair and buggy friendly with a wide smooth forest road. Pack a picnic and cycle or walk to the viewing platform and visit the Irish Workhouse Centre or Portumna Castle. Treat yourself to afternoon tea in Café Rose.
Looking to cycle? The average cost of bike hire with Dick’s Bike Hire is €10-€35 euro (child/mountain/e-bike).
Paddling the Waterways – Co. Roscommon and Co. Clare
Check out the Lough Derg Blueway paddling routes and hire your canoe from Lough Derg Adventure to explore the eastern shoreline and astounding vistas. You’ll enjoy fantastic views of the Shannon and the beautiful Sliabh Aughty and Bearnagh Mountains.
UL Sport Adventure Centre offer Make a Splash – a 2-hour instructor-guided water sports session. You can choose a combination of two water sports from Stand-up Paddleboarding, Sailing, Kayaking, Canoeing.
The cost of the session is €36/pp.
Paddle Drumman’s Canal and round McDermott’s Castle on its own island in lough Key on a tour of this beautifully situated lake in the grounds of Lough Key Forest Park. Other activities include forest walks, Borda Borg and Zipit forest adventures.
P Mac Kayaks offer a 2hr session for €30.
Soak up some history – Co. Tipperary and Co. Mayo
Count 101 steps to the top of Nenagh’s Castle. As Nenagh’s premier tourist attraction, the castle offers a fascinating glimpse into the town’s history. Built in the 13th century, Nenagh Castle laid the foundation for the development of the whole town.
History buffs can delve into the past further afield at Killaloe Ballina and orientate yourself in the twin towns, by walking through the villages. Check out the old Cathedral and climb the tower to get a view over the river and old bridge.
Admission is free, as well as the guided tour which is available on site!
