AS THE HOTTEST summer in recent memory draws towards a quick close, it’s always worth planning a few events to look forward to for when we revert to thicker duvets and a few extra cups of tea.
And what better way to do it than being whisked away to other colourful cultures via the power of food, film and art? As Ireland becomes increasingly more multicultural, it means that we have even more opportunities to enjoy brilliant bits of every culture that makes up Ireland in 2018.
From tasting Polish pierogi to becoming absorbed in a fantastic French film to celebrating Chinese New Year, the world has truly become our oyster. And with so many different nationalities living among us in Ireland, there’s never been a better time to sample it all.
Here are a few wonderful events that celebrate international diversity in Ireland for you to enjoy over the next few months.
One of the most powerful ways of teaching your little ones about world cultures is to completely immerse them in it through the power of cinema. This year’s festival will see the likes of Supa Modo, the wonderful story of a Kenyan girl who wants to be a superhero, while the tender Iranian story of The Skier sees a little boy try to save his goat by winning a skiing competition. Book tickets here.
And how do I get there? The IFI is located in Temple Bar so it’s within walking distance of Tara Street DART station and a host of bus routes that stop at Dame Street and will drop you even closer.
Taking place in Galway city, Baboró has over two decades of organising lovely events for kids and families under its belt. Although their official programme won’t be announced until early September, last year’s festival saw Dutch theatre, French dance troupes and English storytelling so expect plenty more international surprises this year. Book here.
And how do I get there? Irish Rail offer daily return services to Galway from Dublin, while Bus Éireann have 30 routes that link every major town and city in the country, along with bus service within Galway city.
No matter which country’s cuisine you’re after, Dun Laoghaire’s People’s Park transforms each Sunday into a feast for the senses so you can find a delicious variety of international dishes. From crispy Lebanese falafel to giant pans of Spanish paella (pictured above), it’s a brilliant way to remind yourself of the joy of tasting flavours from around the globe.
And how do I get there? Dun Laoghaire is well-serviced by DART, which run around every half an hour on Sundays. Bus-wise, you can hop on one of these seven Dublin Bus options that service the coastal town.
For three weeks every year during late September, Dublin’s George’s Dock becomes a hotspot of German culture during Oktoberfest. You’ll get to experience Munich-inspired fairgrounds, traditional Bavarian dress and live music, and tasty German food and drink including bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels and beers. Have a look at the programme here.
And how do I get there? The area is very well-serviced by both DART (Grand Canal Dock is the closest stop) and Luas (get off at George’s Dock), while Dublin Bus serves these two routes to the area.
The Dublin Fringe Festival always brings with it unexpected and unforgettable performances and art. This year, you can expect Nigerian-Irish spoken word artists FeliSpeaks and Dagogo Heart (above) perform Boy Child, while there is a beautiful photo exhibition by 18-year-old Ayesha Ahmad entitled Epoch. See what else is on here.
And how do I get there? It depends which show you book, but Boy Child is on in the New Theatre in Temple Bar so it’s within walking distance of Tara Street DART station and a host of bus routes nearby, while Epoch is closeby on Curved Street too.
Now in its 13th year, Culture Night has grown from Dublin’s cities to a countrywide celebration. The full lineup hasn’t been announced just yet (though the programmes just went to print), but there’s always lovely international events like Noche de Cultura en Español and Kultur Nacht auf Deutsch if you fancy giving your second language a whirl for the night, and meeting a few like-minded people of other nationalities.
And how do I get there? They’re on all around the country, so check Irish Rail, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Luas to check the best option for your chosen event.
Only in its fourth year this year, the Dublin Greek Film Festival this year takes place in The New Theatre in Dublin and the full schedule will be announced next month. The festival has been busy over the summer planning things like Colouring Words: Refugee Children Voices, so no doubt they’ll have some uplifting, positive films planned too.
And how do I get there? Again, the theatre is located in Temple Bar so it’s within walking distance of Tara Street DART station and a host of bus routes that stop at Dame Street.
No matter how you travel to these events, be patient and courteous to your fellow commuters, no matter where they are from. As part of the Join Us On The Journey campaign – which features hundreds of commuters standing in solidarity against racism - Transport for Ireland invites you to take a stand and show your solidarity against racism on public transport.
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