Lingo Festival
Ireland’s first ever spoken-word festival returns to Dublin this October with workshops, poetry slams and much more. The vibrant, international festival is headed up by some of Dublin’s finest independent promoters, arts curators and artists to continue to create critically acclaimed and highly entertaining spoken-word events.
Various city locations
21-23rd Oct
From €6
Back to our Past
With fifty exhibitors from genealogy services, libraries and the like, visitors will be able to meet with experts on ancestry and heritage and attend talks on genealogy and DNA. Back to Our Past is perfect for anyone who is inquisitive about their personal and family history, and especially for those who might be looking for some help in their quest to find out more about their Irish roots.
RDS, Ballsbridge
21-23rd Oct
€5
Freud Project
50 works by Lucian Freud come to IMMA and are presented in a dedicated Freud centre in the stunning Garden Galleries. Regarded as one of the world’s greatest realist painters, Freud is renowned for his stunning portrayal of the human form. Staff at IMMA are delighted to have secured this important long term loan which features the artist’s finest paintings as well as his personal etchings offering visitors the perfect insight into Lucian Freud interests and enduring artistic practice.
IMMA from 21st Oct 2016-2021
€5/8
Family Hangout Zone
Throughout our birthday season, we invite you to escape from the hustle and bustle of town and drop in to our free hang-out area. If you’re feeling adventurous you can explore the building as you follow our special Art Trail, you can take a look at images, posters and artwork from some of our favourite events from our first 21 years, get creative in our drawing and writing stations, share your ideas for events you’d like to see over the next 21 years, or simply curl up with a book from our library!
The Ark, 11a Eustace St,
Temple Bar, Dublin 2
22-23rd Oct
Free
Visit The Phoenix Park
The Phoenix Park is not only the home to our President, zoo, Victorian flower gardens, Papal cross and a herd of wild deer it is also one of Europe's largest urban parks and has acres of beautiful parkland and leafy trails to enjoy a long, meandering walk. Phoenix Park also doubles as a venue and space for many different events such as organized family picnics, motor and cross-country races. While there are plenty of great paid activities nearby such as Dublin Zoo and Farmleigh House, there are acres of space to roam around in and discover beautiful woodland and curious deer.
Dublin 8
Free
Comedy Night
Free live comedy every Saturday night in Accents Lounge.
Saturday Comedy PosterAccents Coffee & Tea Lounge is an alcohol-free place to socialise in Dublin City Centre. They are making sober sexy – offering all your Irish favourite entertainment in a cosy, welcoming and inclusive environment.
Accents Lounge, 23 Stephen Street Lower
22nd Oct
Free
Little Stories Little Prints Workshop
Children’s printmaking workshops. In these printmaking workshops, artists including Pamela De Bri and Margaret Becker, will work with children to uncover family lore and artefacts relating to 1916. An exhibition of prints exploring aspects of 1916, including the Proclamation, will be on display in each participating library prior to the workshops.
Leixlip Library, Captain's Hill
22nd Oct
Booking required
And Then I Paint
The Laois Arthouse presents ‘And Then I Paint’ by artist Lorna Corrigan. The exhibition will be launched by Artist Elizabeth Cope.
Lorna is a native of Kildare and now lives in Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary. She works on canvas and paper with acrylic paint, pastel and acrylic marker. Lorna embraces a range of subjects in her artworks which are inspired by her dreams and also taken from her memory or travels to places like Australia, France, Denmark and America. Working with bright, bold colours, assured lines and repetitious patterns she paints and celebrates people and the world in general.
The Laois Arthouse Gallery, Stradbally, Co. Laois
15th Oct-4th Nov
Free
Aisling Childrens Arts Festival
Now in its 19th year Aisling continues to be the best fun in Longford for children of all ages. Our aim has always been to enhance children’s creativity and self-esteem through the medium of the arts. Through magical theatre, creative workshops and a host of artistic activities we endeavour to capture the imagination of our young audience. We hope this year's jam packed festival with the theme of “ A Better World” will engage all those who participate in it. We greatly appreciate the support we receive from our sponsors and all those who help make the festival possible, especially our friends at Backstage Theatre and BYT.
Longford
23rd-29th Oct
Free - €5
Drogheda Town Open Air Market
Every Saturday morning in Bolton Square and Bolton St from 8am to 1pm. The market offers freshly grown farm produce, fresh cakes and bread, vegetables, fruit, flowers, clothing, hardware, toys, tools, jewellery and fancy goods on a wide range of open air stalls.
Bolton Square, Drogheda, Co. Louth
22nd Oct
Free
Massive Costume Sale
Bananas Fancy Dress shop are having a huge costume sale. Go along to find some fun bargains! We have wigs, accessories, props, joke items, balloons, partyware, costumes for adults and kids, dancewear and lots more
Navan, Meath
23rd Oct
Free
Wexford Fringe Festival
The 64th Wexford Fringe will open in Wexford town to announce 17 days of fantastic Fringe events, which includes the famous Wexford Festival Opera and Wexford Spiegeltent Festival. This vibrant festival brings approximately 50,000 visitors from all over Ireland and overseas to Wexford to see the incredibly diverse array of creative activity it has to offer, and promotes Wexford's rich culture and distinct heritage on the world stage. Festival goers of all ages will be captivated by the sheer range of over 300 events and activities taking place in Wexford during the annual open-access arts festival, including visual art, opera, classical and traditional music, theatre and dance, comedy, literary recitals, craft and family/children's and street events, many of which are free to attend.
Wexford Town and County
21st Oct- 6th Nov
A number of free exhibitions - various ticket prices
The Elders
On 24th October The Elders Band, Moxie Strings, & nearly 100 of their fans visit Arklow & perform in The Arklow Bay at 8:30pm on their Annual Tour of Ireland. It's a Monday night but they are so worth it & they only visit once a year.
Arklow Bay Hotel
Monday 24th Oct
€10
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is Ireland's flagship children's festival featuring a week of Irish and international work for children and families in October. Baboró reignites the magic of imagination for the whole family with a feast of wonder, entertainment, excitement and more. The festival sets out to enthral audiences of all ages (0 to 100!) with incredible and awe inspiring performances, engaging exhibitions and interactive workshops, encouraging the expression of creativity in the enriching atmosphere of Galway city and county.
Galway City
17th-23rd Oct
€9
Foxford Traditional Weekend
Foxford Traditional Weekend runs from Thursday 20th - Sunday 23rd October. A weekend full of Music, Song, Dance and Storytelling with Workshops, Sean-Nós Dance Competitions, Sessions and Cultural Events. A weekend to Celebrate our Culture.
Various Foxford locations
20-23rd Oct
Free to various
Sligo Masonic Hall Tour
Come along for a FREE tour of one of Sligo's architectural gems and find out more about the building and also how it is used within Freemasonry.
Please be aware that there is no disable access either to or around the Masonic Hall.
Masonic Hall, The Mall
22nd Oct
Free, booking required
Bunratty Bluegrass Festival
Bunratty Bluegrass Festival features an international line up of music and artists including Barry & Holly Tashian and the E5 Bluegrass Band from the US and Demolition String Band US and Monogram from the Chez Republic. Cup O’Joe, a young family trio from Armagh who are making a name for themselves on the international stage will also feature in the concerts, along with Irish Bluegrass veterans ‘Woodbine’ and another family Bluegrass Band ‘Greenshine’ from Cork. Legendary pickers and session motivators John Nyhan and the Kelleher’s will further enhance the Cork connections. Added to the mix, the local bluegrass supporters, Leo Hayes & Bill Forester along with visiting musicians, and you have the makings of a top quality Bluegrass Festival.
Bunratty
21st-22nd Oct
Free pub sessions
Cork and Kerry Mountains Rock and Blues Festival
Ireland's newest Rock & Blues festival! Eric Bell Trio Friday night with support Crojayn and John Dunne Tickets €15 Saturday all free events: Irish Rock Art Exhibition & Sales with live music from 5pm - 2am. 5pm Stone Cold Hobos with coach bus from 3pm to Top of Coom Pub Ireland's highest pub in Co.Kerry. 9pm Boxcar Bertha at The Abbey Hotel. 9pm Paul Murphy & Street Talk and 11:30pm Gerry Quigley Band at The Mills Inn.
Ballyvourney, Co. Cork
21-22nd Oct
Free Saturday
Kerry Film Festival
Kerry Film Festival is an internationally recognised film festival which takes place each October. Presenting outstanding short and feature films, plus a unique film score programme, the festival celebrates emerging filmmaking talent, introduces filmmakers to the industry at large, and creates new film experiences for audiences. Based in beautiful County Kerry - the perfect backdrop for a festival of great cinema - and with contemporary short films, iconic classics, live music and exciting world cinema to choose from, the festival provides a great audience experience!
Kilarney, Kerry
19th-23rd Oct
Free to €10 tickets
Garry McMahon Traditional Singing Festival
The 8th Garry McMahon Traditional Singing Festival promises to be a very enjoyable weekend of traditional singing and storytelling with visiting singers from all parts of Ireland and overseas. Hosted by West Limerick Singing Club, the event will include workshops, a newly composed ballad competition, concert and plenty of singing and storytelling sessions over the three days. Visitors can expect to hear some of the best known traditional singers from Ireland and overseas.
The singing club also hosts monthly singing sessions on the first Friday of every month in the Ramble Inn Bar, Abbeyfeale from 9pm.
The Ramble Inn & Leens's Hotel Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick
21-23rd Oct
Free
The Secret Life of Suitcases
Larry works in an office and he likes it very much. He likes sorting and tidying and generally putting things in order. Everything in its place, a place for everything. But one day, a suitcase suddenly appears at his door. A suitcase with a tiny label. A tiny label with Larry’s name on it. And this suitcase has a mission. Join Larry in ‘The Secret Life of Suitcases’ as his world gets turned upside down by a fantastical flying suitcase taking him further than he ever thought possible. Follow Larry’s journey as he discovers the thrill of adventure and the joy of coming home again. This funny and enchanting puppet show was originally co-produced by the Unicorn Theatre, London. Suitable 4 ages +"
The Source arts Centre, Thurles
22nd Oct
€8/12 for 2
The Image Arts Festival
Imagine Arts Festival Waterford is a multi-disciplinary celebration the creative arts set against the backdrop of Ireland's oldest city. This volunteer-led festival prides itself in delivering Art in Unexpected Places to transform the city in an engaging, fun and authentic way. The 2016 festival promises to be an exciting multi-disciplinary line-up of creative events that promote the best of local arts mixed in with top national and international work. Imagine features live performances, exhibitions and interactive arts experiences for people of all ages and interests including: dance, film, visual art, theatre, comedy, spoken word (storytelling, poetry and literature), contemporary and traditional music, history and heritage, as well as children and youth celebrations.
IMAGINE Arts Festival c/o City Arts Office, The Mall, Waterford
20th-30th Oct
Free to various
HMS Caroline - End of Season Event
Come along to HMS Caroline's end of season weekend on 22 and 23 October and celebrate the ship's first season open to the public as a top-class, five star visitor attraction. HMS Caroline has planned a fun-filled weekend of free activities, and kids go free! Storytelling and movement workshop with Jo Britland, of Performing Starz. This children's workshop combines stories, movement and music to explore HMS Caroline's history. Suitable for 3 - 8 year olds, this workshop runs from 11am - 12 noon in the Learning Room. As places are limited, please register in advance by emailing
[email protected] or phone 028 9045 4484.Dress up as a First World War sailor and put yourself into history with the Nerve Centre's green screen photography station from 12.30pm - 4.30pm.
HMS Caroline, Alexandra Dock, Titanic Quarter, Queen's Road, Belfast
22nd-23rd Oct
Free entry for kids
Naturally North Coast & Glens Market - Marine Hotel Ballycastle
Fresh aromas, vivid colours, eclectic treasures, buzzing crowds - a mere stroll amongst the many stalls of an Artisan Market are enough to invigorate the senses and whet the appetite.These markets aim to keep things authentic, providing a rare but enchanting opportunity to meet the many food & craft producers & suppliers from the North Coast and Glens area.
It is a haven for anybody who cares about the quality and provenance of the food they eat, for those that seek something different from what is found on supermarket shelves. It provides a cornucopia of exquisite handcrafted, artistic items and an opportunity to interact with the artisan who has produced them.
Marine Hotel Ballycastle, North Street, Ballycastle
23rd Oct
Free
Halloween Bouncemania
Bouncemania is returning for a pre Halloween Explosion of fun. Following last season’s pilot events of Bouncemania we have totally revamped the event, upgrading from 3 fun zones to 4 fun zones, now providing more inflatables, more activities and more fun. The preschool kids/toddlers can enjoy in addition to last season’s equipment, a bigger range of bouncy castles, an inflatable slide, a disco dome to dance in, animal hoppers, a massive ball pool filled with balls and some crawl tunnels with a total of approximately 16 activities to choose from. The older children from 3 years plus now have 3 full halls to themselves with a different layout and approximately 30 inflatables present to play on.Score Football Centre pitches will be filled to bursting point with a unique and exciting range of inflatables, a Huge 80ft assault course, a large selection of bouncy castles, inflatable mega slides, demolition zone, rock n roll, bungee run, sumo wrestling, disco dome, wipeout balls and the ever popular zorbing balls, plus more! The event will run in sessions of 2 hours 15 minutes and within this time kids will have unlimited play on all activities for one set fee.
Score Football Centre, Coleraine
22nd-23rd Oct
3 Years & under £4.95 4 - 12 Years £7.95
Craft Fair and Food Fest
Running from 10.30 – 16:00, this year’s event offers up an even greater selection of arts and crafts showcasing the work of artists and craftspeople from across Northern Ireland and further afield. The Autumn Arts Craft Fair is the perfect place to pick up some unique, exclusive and handcrafted gifts including jewellery, candles, ceramics, glassware, fine furniture and much more. As well as providing opportunities for a spot of retail therapy, the Craft Fair will also feature live music and street theatre plus children’s entertainment and superb drop-in workshops with Toads and Prints and a Scavenger Trail around the park. To add to the festivities Banbridge town centre will also be hosting a packed programme of street entertainment throughout the day. So why not pick up an early Christmas present or two or maybe just treat yourself with something a little special. Admission is only £2 for adults and £1 concession.
Solitude Park, Rathfriland Street, Banbridge
22nd Oct
£2
Seapark Fireworks
Join us in Seapark and watch the skies come alive with spectacular fireworks. The fantastic annual family event returns to Seapark Recreation Grounds in Holywood on Saturday 22nd October. Look forward to live music by local band 'The Jukes', tasty treats at the food stalls, a children’s funfair and a spectacular fireworks display! The fun starts at 4pm, live music from The Jukes at 6.15pm and a fireworks spectacle at 7.45pm.
Holywood
22nd Oct
Free
Pumpkinfest 2016
Activities include:
- The Scarecrow Competition
- Pumpkin People Trail*
- Pumpkin carving* choose from over 2,000 pumpkins to have carved or design your own cartoon face
- Phil's Farm - meet the animals at the Barn
- Live music
- Craft and food stalls
- Horse and carriage rides around the demesne (weather permitting)
- National Trust gift shop open
- Second-hand bookshop open
- Castle Ward House open - Visit the wizard in his cellar (spaces limited)
- Adventure and woodland playground
- The Barn children's indoor and outdoor play area, with ride-on tractors
- Visit the Castle Ward crafters in the Farmyard 34 km of multi-use trails*additional costs apply for these activities.
Castle Ward, Strangford, BT30 7LS
22-23rd Oct
£3-7
Popcorn Club
From Disney-Pixar comes "Up", a comedy adventure about 78 year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wiids of South America. But, he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic eight-year-old Wildeness Explorer named Russell.
Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney, Monaghan
22nd Oct
€5
Visit Ulster American Folk Park
Set in the context of European emigration, Titanic: Window on Emigration explore the stories of the Irish passengers who travelled on Titanic. The exhibition uncovers the stories of steerage passengers, why they left for America and what happened to many of the 40 Irish survivors.
Ulster American Folk Park
2 Mellon Road, Castletown, Omagh
22nd Oct
Free-£8