IT’S A BANK holiday and if you don’t have any plans for that extra day off, don’t worry – there are plenty of events happening around the country.
Here are some of this weekend’s highlights:
The Tall Ships Regatta has dropped anchor at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay for the bank holiday weekend.
This year, the Regatta features seventeen ships racing from Liverpool to Dublin
Over the weekend, smaller ships can be viewed at Grand Canal Dock and the larger ships will be berthed at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay.
The highlight of the weekend is expected to be the Parade of Sail, which takes place between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday when the ships will sail out of Dublin Port.
The best vantage points to see the Parade of Sail are Bull Island, Sandymount and Clontarf.
Forbidden Fruit kicked off yesterday in the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham and finishes on Monday night.
Sunday tickets are sold out, but there are a few tickets left for today and Monday still available here.
Acts not to be missed include: Glass Animals, Idris Elba, Earl Sweatshirt and The War on Drugs.
Bloom, Ireland’s largest gardening, food, and family festival is back in the Phoenix Park this year and running until Monday.
This year there are 20 show gardens on display, worth almost €1 million.
From a dementia-friendly garden to an ABBA-inspired installation, there’s a vast array of themes and designs.
As well as a 70-acre site of stages, marquees and pavilions that will host in the region of 150 live talks, demonstrations and family-friendly activities with 108 food and drink exhibitors.
For any animal lovers, the DSPCA are having an orientation for new volunteers at their shelter in Rathfarnham from 11am – 12.30pm today.
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering for the charity, the orientation should give you an idea of what to expect working with the DSPCA.
Find out more information and register here.
Cork Harbour Festival kicks off its week-long celebration today.
An Rás Mor, now in its 14th year, has over 200 boats and 600 participants from Ireland, U.S, Holland, Germany, Spain and Great Britain set to descend on Cork City for Ireland’s premier rowing race, taking place today.
The nine day festival is packed full of different events, from harbour tours to guided walks, more information can be found here.
Now in its 24th year, Cat Laughs has played host over the years to international and Irish comedians.
This year is no exception with talents like Aisling Bea, Jason Manford, Blindboy Boatclub, Neil Delamare and many more.
The Kilkenny Cat Laughs comedy festival is running until Monday night and tickets are on sale here.
Vantastival is celebrating its ninth birthday this weekend, with 2-day camping and single day tickets available at the gate until they sell out.
The family-friendly festival will see at Beaulieu House & Gardens will host an impressive line-up al weekend, including Le Galaxie, Loah, and The Stunning.
Other attractions include gourmet food stalls, festival traders and some scheduled kids’ activities.
Campervans can park on site at no extra charge, but you don’t have to have a campervan there is a dedicated tent campsite.
For more info check out the website.
Cowboys and Heroes, the country music and American festival continues today and tomorrow in Drumcoura City, a 50-acre western-themed ranch, located just outside of Ballinamore.
Headlining the weekend is Patrick Feeney, Mike Denver and Derek Ryan and many more.
You can pay €30 for a day ticket at the gate but are advised to arrive early.
Children under 12 have free admission.
The Rock the Yard festival is going on until Monday night in the Court Yard Hotel in Leixlip.
Headliners include Hudson Taylor, The Riptide Movement and Smash Hits.
Day tickets cost €10 and are available here or at the gate on the night.
The two day music festival, Fever Pitch is taking place at Galway Airport today and tomorrow, with UB40 set to headline Sunday night.
The festival runs from 2pm-11pm each day with Rudimental headlining tonight.
Tickets are still on sale here. 
Cosplayers dressed as 'The Riddler', 'Captain Jack Sparrow', 'Harley Quinn' and 'Nick Fury'Source: Shutterstock/ Phillip Maguire
Join 2,000 other gamers in Limerick City at GamerFest 18 this weekend.
This is a festival for anyone festival for anyone who loves gaming, YouTubers, cosplay and virtual reality.
The event will include tournaments across games including FIFA 18, Tekken 7 and Formula One VR with big prizes promised for winners.
GamerFest also brings you back to where it all started, with the inclusion of an awesome RetroZone, where you can play all the classic consoles and titles.
The event takes place at the Strand Hotel and tickets are on sale here.
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