IT’S SPRING, THE days are getting longer and Easter holidays are now underway for children (and teachers!).
While there’s no guarantee the rain won’t stay away, there’s plenty on around the country over the next few days to get out, enjoy a bit of sunshine and soak up some culture.
Here are some of the highlights:
Meath
Tayto Park reopens this weekend, just in time for the Easter holidays.
The theme park and zoo in Ashbourne was closed from January to March, but reopened yesterday for the spring and summer season.
There will be Easter-themed arts and crafts on every day of the holidays, as well as complimentary face-painting throughout the mid-term break.
Dublin
Now in its third year, MusicTown provides a range of events designed to celebrate “the rich music heritage and contemporary artistic lifeblood” of Dublin city.
Running until Easter Monday, there is an eclectic mix of bands and performers across different musical styles.
There’s some specialised events for children as part of MusicTown, with Our Tunes taking place today at the Contemporary Music Centre in Temple Bar offering a free, fun participatory contemporary music event for children aged six to ten.
The full programme for MusicTown can be found here.
Donegal
The Amazing Grace Festival takes place in Buncrana over the next few days.
The famous “wretch” was John Newton and it is the story of this slaver who went on to write the iconic song that is told throughout the Amazing Grace Festival.
Today, the Féile Dóchas (Hope Fest) offers a free, “dynamic all-age community arts festival” with a whole programme of live music, interactive workshops, poetry, dance, food and circus games.
The festival lasts until Wednesday, with a guided walking tour and a “nature detectives” event also on the schedule.
Pilgrim paths
Taking place across various counties, Pilgrim Paths Week 2017 takes in the routes trodden by early Christians in Ireland, including Lough Derg, Glendalough, Skellig Michael and Croagh Patrick.
Walking pilgrim paths, arts, religious and cultural events, the full programme can be found here.
The Passion of the Christ (in Ballyfermot)
The streets of Dublin suburbs Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard are set to become the stage for a reimagining of the Passion of the Christ set in 2017 this weekend.
Over two days, starting today, the streets and civic spaces will be the stage, and locals will be the players during live street performances, dance and music.
Galway
For traditional music fans, it’s still not too late to catch the 2017 Clifden Trad Fest which finishes up tomorrow.
There are music workshops, a busking competition, street entertainment for the family and, of course, lots of trad music to be had in the Galway coastal town of Clifden.
Some good events on in your area this weekend? Let us know in the comments below…
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