A round-up of free events in Ireland for Families for June 2024.
Dublin
The Chester Beaty Gallery
Qigong in the Dubh Linn Garden
Dates: 8 June 12:00pm
6 July 12:00pm
3 August 12:00pm
7 September 12:00pm
Location: Chester Beatty
Qigong in the Dubh Linn Garden
A traditional Chinese form of meditation, co-ordinating slow movement, deep rhythmic breathing and a calm state of mind. Join us for a gentle practice outdoors (weather permitting) or indoors with the view of the rooftop garden. Suitable for all ages.
Free, no booking required but places are limited. Meeting point in the 3 floor lobby of the museum.
Cruinniú na nÓg Drop-in: Eco-Friendly Animals
Date: 15th June
Event times: 11am
Chester Beatty
Get ready for an exciting adventure into the world of eco-friendly creativity with our cardboard crafting session! We’re inviting children of all ages to dive into a fun-filled activity and bring their own animal creations to life. Using recycled cardboard as the canvas, this workshop not only sparks creativity but also repurposes materials that would otherwise be discarded.
FREE, no booking required, but limited to 15 participants.
Live Online Bloomsday Workshop for Families
Date: 16th June
Time: 12-1.30
In honour of James Joyce and his iconic work, Ulysses, we’re inviting families to engage in a creative and sustainable craft activity: making your very own boater hat from recycled materials. Armed with cardboard, tape, and an array of decorative elements, you’ll have everything you need to fashion a personalized boater hat. Once they’re complete, share your masterpieces with us on social media!
FREE, booking essential HERE.
Materials:
Cardboard (cereal box cardboard & a thicker cardboard) – as much as you can find!
Scissors
Masking tape
Duct tape
Pen
Measuring tape
Ruler
Stapler
Glue
Optional materials:
Toilet roll tubes
Ribbon
Dark Coloured Material
Feathers
Flowers
Paint
Scalpel (if old enough to use one)
Markers
To learn more about the Bloomsday Festival, please click HERE.
Skerries Midsummer Fair
Date: Friday 31st May – Monday 3rd June
Skerries Midsummer Festival, Bank Holiday Weekend May 31 to June 3.
Oodles of outdoor fun at the Festival village, South Strand, opens Friday from 2pm; Sat/Sun/Mon 11am each day!
Festival Funfair:
Children’s Rides, Bouncy Castles & Inflatable slides, Mobile vendors with and emphasis on street food, Sandcastle Competition.
Live Music:
Festival stage, bands, outdoor movies.
Saturday night is Mama Mia Night with live Abba Tribute.
DALKEY VINTAGE AND CLASSIC CAR FESTIVAL
Date:Monday 3rd June
Time: 11.30am
Dalkey is gearing up for another choice festival, ahead of Bank Holiday Monday, Monday June 3rd as many of Ireland’s best classic cars are expected to motor into this historic, south Dublin, heritage town for the Dalkey Vintage Festival, 2024.
From 11.30am to 6pm, the main street in Dalkey will close to welcome the “who’s who” of classic cars, including Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Triumph and Lancia and there will be music and children’s entertainment throughout the day.
Ireland’s premier Formula 1 simulator will be in situ and there will be live music in many of the bars and eateries.
BLOOMSDAY FESTIVAL
Date: Tuesday 11th – 16th June
Bloomsday celebrates Thursday 16 June 1904, the day depicted in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. The day is named after Leopold Bloom, the central character in Ulysses. The novel follows the life and thoughts of Leopold Bloom and a host of other characters – real and fictional – from 8am on 16 June 1904 through to the early hours of the following morning.
Celebrations often include dressing up like characters from the book and in clothes that would have been the style of the era. One of the hallmark fancy dress items of Bloomsday is the straw boater hat. Celebrations come in many different forms like readings, performances and visiting the places and establishments referenced in the book.
Lusk Summer Festival
Date: Sat 22nd June
The countdown is on! Saturday the 22nd of June will see Lusk Action Group’s second Lusk Summer Festival in Orlynn Park Green!
This year will be bigger and better, with a fantastic music line-up and much more.
A day for all, young and old, with music and entertainment, market, food, kid’s entertainment and much more!
Limerick
Cruinniú na nÓg 2024
Dates: 15th June
Location: Various
Cruinniú na nÓg is a national initiative that celebrates and encourages participation in culture and creativity through performance, theatre, art and music workshops, readings, screenings, special events and much more.
It is about giving children and young people the opportunity to express themselves through a specially curated programme of cultural and creative activities where they can share their ideas, learn new skills and have fun!
All events are free of charge, child-centred and activity based. It’s a day for lots of doing, making and creating!
Events
Morning
- Lego Stopmotion Workshop | 10am – 12pm | Kilmallock Library
- Dochas Art Clubs | 10am – 5pm | Limerick Museum
- Not so Silent Movies @ Belltable | 10.30am – 11.30am | Belltable
- Theatre Taster Workshop | 11am – 1.30pm | Limerick Youth Theatre
- Storytime & Sock puppets for Toddlers| 11am – 11.45am in Abbeyfeale Library & 2pm – 2.45pm in Watch House Cross Library
Afternoon
- Monsters Inc. Feature Screening @ Belltable | 12pm – 2pm | Belltable
- Lego Stopmotion & VR Experience | 1.30pm – 4pm | Citizen Innovation Lab
- Rocky Horror Picture Show – An Interactive Screening | 6pm – 8pm | Dance Limerick
- Limerick Voices Teen Music Showcase| 6pm – 8.30pm | Belltable
- Rhyme Island @ Learning Hub Limerick | Learning Hub Limerick
Shannonside History Festival
Dates: Friday 31st May to 2nd June
Location: Various Locations
The Shannonside History festival will include a host of free and paid events, including lectures, walking tours, and workshops.
The festival kicks off on Friday the 31st of May, with a workshop on Limerick Silver in Limerick Museum, hosted by Dr. Zara Power and Jim Noonan, which will be opened by Dr. Ed Walsh.
Throughout the weekend, there will be free walking tours hosted by Limerick Civic Trust, and also by John Elliott of Limerick Museum.
See Festival Event Schedule here.
Galway
Headfest
Dates: 30th May to June rd
Location: Various locations around Headford, Co. Galway
A variety of music and family events over the bank holiday weekend including the annual tractor run and vintage car parade.
Check out headfest.ie for more information
About the Author: Michelle Mead
