We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Peter Lindberg

4 events for... festival lovers looking for something different

Festivals that don’t require flower crowns.

IF YOU’RE FOND of a festival, but not in the conventional sense then we have the guide for you.

No longer does a weekend of themed fun revolve solely around music. Craft enthusiasts, film lovers and promising puppeteers have plenty to be happy about this weekend.

Here are our picks of festivals taking place around the country this weekend.

1. Lovers of the silver screen gather together in the village of Schull for Fastnet Film Festival

When: May 23 – 27

Where: Across the village of Schull, Co Cork

Enthusiasts of cinema, particularly short films, need to make their way to west Cork for the tenth annual Fastnet Film Festival. This year’s programme includes screenings, seminars and masterclasses with fore figures of the film industry. Choose from events featuring directors Lenny Abrahamson, Pat McCabe and David Puttnam, costume designer Joan Bergin and producer John Kelleher. There’ll also be a quiz hosted by Deirdre O’Kane, testing your general knowledge of movies.

Book tickets for individual events here.

2. Channel your inner Jim Henson at Newtownards’ Puppet Festival

puppet festival Source: Ard Arts Facebook

When: May 26 – 28

Where: Conway Square, Newtownards, Belfast.

If Kermit the Frog and Oscar the Grouch were your childhood heroes then Ards Puppet Festival is the weekend you’ve been dreaming of. It is regarded as the biggest puppet festival in Northern Ireland and boasts three days of workshops, performances and opportunities to meet lots of puppets and puppeteers. A fun weekend for all the family!

A full list of events can be found here.

3. Knit one purl two your way to Dublin’s Festival of Yarn

When: May 25 – 27

Where: ALLSA Sports Centre, Old Airport Road, Co Dublin

The team from Dublin’s woolen one-stop-shop, This is Knit have organised a festival to bring knitters together. The weekend is perfect for all level of crafters as there will be classes in crochet, panel discussions on yarn in Ireland and a marketplace for traders to sell their wares.

Book a place in one of the workshops here.

4. Dance with abandon at Ireland’s premier electronic festival in Co Westmeath

When: May 25 – 27

Where: Belvedere House and Gardens, Co Westmeath

Life Festival is known as the greatest curation of electronic music in Ireland.  A combination of nostalgic acts such as Fatboy Sim and Armand Van Helden feature in this year’s line-up along with domestic favourites, Le Galaxie and Tara Stewart.

Weekend and day tickets can be purchased here.

Sponsored by
View comments
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel