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Event Guide for free Events in Greater Dublin
The "Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)" is Dublin's most popular event magazine that focuses on the vast amount of cultural events for no admission charges. For more than 800 editions over 16 years it is a weekly e-mail magazine that lists and recommends up to 200 free cultural events in Dublin City and in the Greater Dublin area week after week. Gigs, Festivals, Markets, Talks, Lectures, Exhibitions and much more for all age groups are included.
The Dublin Event Guide is a non commercial initiative and is published by Joerg Steegmueller, it has more than 24,000 readers and more than 80,000 Facebook Followers. Please subscribe to the free weekly e-mail newsletter on the right. -->>
This site contains the newest edition below and is updated as soon as it is completed (check the date!). You will also find some event information on the Dublin Event Guide Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide!
The newest Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) below was posted on 17 May 2025:
Dublin Event Guide 915: Sun, Culture & Fun: Bike Week, People’s Art, Harold’s Cross Community Festival, Africa Day
Sun, Culture & Fun
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Bike Week, People’s Art, Harold’s Cross Community Festival,
Africa Day
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Hi!!
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It is a hobby in Ireland to complain about the weather and I have to admit that I often can’t stay away from that topic either. But what is this at the moment? Wonderful sunshine, reasonably warm and all that day after day? It is like winning the lotto! ;-)
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On days like that you HAVE to go out! At least for a short walk or to stand in the sun for 10 min. It is close to obligatory!
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And at the weekend, plan SOME outdoor activity in! Anything you like, but it has to be outdoors. How about a BBQ? And if anybody wants to invite me, just let me know! (Just kidding!! ;-) )
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This Dublin Event Guider is as always FULL of free events. There is not a higher proportion of outdoor events than usually, because predictability is not a feature of Irish weather yet, but this time of the year usually has SOME outdoor events. How about going to Africa Day on Sunday at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham? Outdoors with music and food and sun!
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There are LOTS of events this week and the outdoor season has properly started. Try some of these events even if they are not your normal diet of cultural events, there is a lot of great things to be discovered. Don’t stay at home! ;-)
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If you have friends or family or colleagues that also enjoy cultural events in Dublin, let them know that they can sign up for the free weekly Dublin Event Guide newsletter at getthislink.com/DEGSignup
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The working title for my video series on YouTube is the “Better You” videos, they are all about 5-7 minute long about how to better your life. Check out this video series if you want to achieve more in life, but are talking yourself out of it. www.youtube.com/@JoergSteegmueller
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Donations in May:
EUR 137
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(By the end of the month, this number has to reach or exceed EUR 200 to guarantee the continuation of the Dublin Event Guide.)
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If the Dublin Event Guide helps you to find out about free events in Dublin, please help with a donation.
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The counter here shows the current donation status. By the end of the month EUR 200 will be subtracted to pay the bills. If more money has been donated, the rest will be carried forward. If donations have stopped below the EUR 200, the missing amount will be carried over.
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This week the wonderful people that donated to the Dublin Event Guide were Evelyn, Maksim, Sarah, Kev and Carija. Thank you so much!!! I appreciate you and your donation!
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Donations keep the Dublin Event Guide alive and it is truly a wonderful group of people who help keeping the Dublin Event Guide going. Join this exclusive group! Without donations to pay the bills I will not be able to continue.
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With the above counter you know at all times where we stand and when donating is needed. Donations keep the Dublin Event Guide alive and all donors will also get some additional bonuses.
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Here are some more details about donations:
Any amount is appreciated, but if you are looking for a recommendation, then I suggest a donation of 12 Euro per year. – That’s just one Euro per month and you get FOUR Dublin Event Guides for that Euro! If your funds are limited, but you still want to help, you can buy a virtual coffee for just EUR 4. All donations will be used in full for the Dublin Event Guide.
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To donate, use the Dublin Event Guide Donation Page here: gturl.eu/DEGdonate. It is really easy to use and uses Stripe’s trustworthy payment processing. You can even sign up for a yearly subscription on the donation page! Yearly subscriptions will give some important financial stability and reliability to the Dublin Event Guide and are therefore very much appreciated! (Look for the RED subscription buttons at the bottom of the Donation Page.)
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In case the donation page doesn’t work for you, the old links are here: You can donate via www.paypal.me/DublinEventGuide or for Revolut users among you, just use @joergbrb or now also revolut.me/joergbrb
(If possible, please send your full name and e-mail address as a message with the payment via PayPal or Revolut so that I can tell you about bonuses for donors when available.)
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To buy one or two or even three virtual coffees for the Dublin Event Guide, come to the “Buy Me a Coffee” page here www.buymeacoffee.com/DublinEventG
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And there is one other way to help and it is even free: If you come to www.DublinEventGuide.com and check out some of the ads and click on the ones that you find interesting, that also helps with a few cent! ?
Thank you!!
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Free events in Dublin this weekend…
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Saturday 17 May
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++ National Bike Week (10-18 May) – Find all events here: www.transportforireland.ie/getting-around/by-bicycle/bikeweek/
++ Dublin Climate Action Week (12-18 May): Find all events here: dublinclimatechange.codema.ie/climate-action-week/events/
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+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ Trinity Regatta 07:30-18:00 Trinity Boathouse, War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, Dublin 8 www.tcd.ie/news_events/events/event/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D182185154 The schedule is here tracker.rowingireland.ie/documents/_Trinity%20Regatta%202025%20Final%20Timetable.pdf
+ Airfield Estate Farmers’ Market 09:00-14:30 Airfield Estate, Overend Ave, Dundrum, Dublin 14 www.airfield.ie/farmers-market-at-airfield-estate
+ Supernatural Food Market – Food & Farmer’s Market 09:00-15:00 St Andrew’s Resource Centre, 114-116 Pearse St., Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/thesupernaturalfoodmarket
+ Temple Bar Food Market 09:30-15:30 Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 www.lovetemplebar.com/markets-events
++ MV John Paul DeJoria – On-board visits Anti-whaling ship by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (Sat+Sun) 10:00-17:00 Sir John Rogerson Quay, Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/events/687228627033304
++ People’s Art – Exhibition & Sales – Ireland’s largest open air art exhibition on the railings around St. Stephen’s Green (17-18 May) 10:00-17:00 St. Stephen’s Green Park, Dublin 2 peoplesart.ie/
++ National Drawing Day -various events 10:00-16:00 National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2 www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Donaghmede Park Family Cycle for Bike Week 10:00-11:00 Meeting Point: Trinity Gaels GAA Pitch beside St Kevins School, Donaghmede Park www.eventbrite.ie/e/1342754537969 (Booking required)
+ Poppintree Park Family Cycle for Bike Week 10:00-11:00 Meeting Point: Poppintree Park, Balbutcher Lane, Dublin 11 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1342757827809
+ St. Anne’s City Farm – Visit this community farm, run by volunteers 10:00-15:00 St. Anne’s Park, Raheny, Dublin 5 www.facebook.com/Stannescityfarm/
+ Unlock the Magic of Translation with Anam Zafar – International Literature Festival Dublin 10:30 Merrion Square Park ilfdublin.com/whats-on/festival/unlock-the-magic-of-translation-with-anam-zafar/
+ Introduction to Orienteering 10:30-13:00 Bushy Park, Terenure, Dublin 6W (look for the orienteering maze) www.facebook.com/events/1019641727019291/
+ Chester Beatty Museum Tour 11:00 Chester Beatty Museum, Gardens of Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2 chesterbeatty.ie/whats-on/free-public-tours/
+ Temple Bar Food Market 11:00-16:00 Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 dublin.ie/live/things-to-do/markets/
+ Blackrock Market 11:00-17:30 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin www.facebook.com/BlackrockMarket/
++ Harold’s Cross Community Festival (Sat+Sun) 11:00-17:00 Harold’s Cross Green, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6 www.haroldscross.org/festival-2024/
+ Bikes, Biodiversity and Bull Island – guided cycle from Alfie Byrne Road to the Causeway Road 11:00-13:30 Meeting Point: The Yacht Bar and Restaurant, 73 Clontarf Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1335365116009 (Booking required)
+ Dublin City Food Culture Tour by Bike 11:00-13:30 Meeting Point: Wolfe Tone Square, 23 Jervis Street, Dublin 1 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1342767426519 (Booking required)
+ Artist Talk: Jorge Satorre 12:00 Temple Bar Gallery + Studios,
5-9 Temple Bar, Dublin 2 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1358351117759 (Booking required)
+ Gauche Market – MAYhem Edition 12:00-17:00 Wigwam, 54 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 www.eventbrite.ie/e/gauche-market-mayhem-edition-tickets-1258781442179
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+ The Aran Sweater – Story of an Icon – Talk 13:00 Coolock Library, Barryscourt Road, Coolock, Dublin 17 www.dublincity.ie/events/aran-sweater-story-icon (Booking required)
+ The Way We Wore: Representations of Social Change through Clothing – Tour 14:00 National Museum, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2025/Q2/May-Tours-at-Collins-Barracks
+ Rhyme Lounge – Poetry Event 14:00-16:00 Starbucks, Waterloo Road, Dublin 4 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1364433751079
+ Herbert Park Family Cycle for Bike Week 14:00-15:00 Playground at Herbert Park, Herbert Park, Dublin 4 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1329676822169 (Booking required)
+ Morse Code Buzzers – Workshop 14:00-16:00 dlr LexIcon, Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/event-calendar/morse-code-buzzers (Booking required)
+ The History of Irish Art – Tour 14:00 National Museum – Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Archaeology/Events/2025/Q2/February-Tours-at-NMI-Archaeology-(1)
+ Tour of the Irish National War Memorial Gardens 14:00 Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Island Bridge, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1312744928419 (Booking required)
+ Film Screening: Season of Dying Water – documentary about Siberia 14:30 Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 www.eventbrite.ie/e/film-screening-seasons-of-dying-water-tickets-1226569174419 (Booking required)
+ Makers Market in Dublin – by Pop Up Gallery 15:00-20:00 The Lighthouse, 88 George’s Street Lower, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin www.eventbrite.ie/e/1367376402629
+ Highlights of the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology – Tour 15:30 National Museum – Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Archaeology/Events/2025/Q2/February-Tours-at-NMI-Archaeology-(1)
+ Game, Set, Match: The History of Sports in Irish Society – Tour 15:30 National Museum, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2025/Q2/May-Tours-at-Collins-Barracks
+ Madra Rua (Tribute to All-Time Rock Classics) – support from Zurich & The Threads – Gigs 21:00 Fibber Magees, 80-81 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 www.facebook.com/events/1729040004697595/
+ Latin Fever – Dublin’s Latin Club with reggaeton, merengue, funk, electrolatino, pachangueo, dembow & more 21:00-02:30 River Bar, 1 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 (Adm free before midnight) www.facebook.com/LatinFeverDublin
+ Soulpower – Gig 22:00 Tolka House Pub, 9a Glasnevin Hill, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 www.facebook.com/TolkaHousePubOfficial
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Sunday 18 May
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++ National Bike Week (10-18 May) – Find all events here: www.transportforireland.ie/getting-around/by-bicycle/bikeweek/
++ Dublin Climate Action Week (12-18 May): Find all events here: dublinclimatechange.codema.ie/climate-action-week/events/
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++ Bealtaine Festival – Arts & Creativity Featival bealtaine.ie/events-2/
+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
++ People’s Art – Exhibition & Sales – Ireland’s largest open air art exhibition on the railings around St. Stephen’s Green (17-18 May) 10:00-17:00 St. Stephen’s Green Park, Dublin 2 peoplesart.ie/
+ St. Anne’s City Farm – Visit this community farm, run by volunteers 10:00-15:00 St. Anne’s Park, Raheny, Dublin 5 www.facebook.com/Stannescityfarm/
++ MV John Paul DeJoria – On-board visits Anti-whaling ship by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (Sat+Sun) 10:00-17:00 Sir John Rogerson Quay, Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/events/687228627033304
+ Run Talk Run – Phoenix Park Run of Mental Health Peer Support Group for adults 10:50 Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 bit.ly/RTRDublin (Booking required)
+ St. Patrick’s Park Market – Books, gifts and crafts 11:00-17:30 St. Patrick’s Park, next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin 8 www.facebook.com/stpatricksparkmarket/
+ Blackrock Market 11:00-17:30 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin www.facebook.com/BlackrockMarket/
+ Malahide Pedal Parade – Bikeweek 10:50-11:15 New Street in Malahide www.transportforireland.ie/bikeweek-event/malahide-pedal-parade/
+ Children’s Cycling Training Workshop – Marlay Park 11:00-13:00 Marlay Park, Grange Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 www.transportforireland.ie/bikeweek-event/childrens-cycling-training-workshop-marlay-park/
+ Treasure Hunt Cycle – Dún Laoghaire 11:00-16:00 Meeting Point: Tourism Office, Dún Laoghaire www.transportforireland.ie/bikeweek-event/treasure-hunt-cycle-dun-laoghaire/
+ Kid’s Drop By Activities 11:00-12:00 National Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 www.botanicgardens.ie/event/kids-drop-by-activities-3/2025-05-18/
++ Africa Day – 2stages, 40 musical acts, dancing, drumming, food 11:00-18:00 Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8 www.facebook.com/africadayireland/
++ Harold’s Cross Community Festival (sat+Sun) 11:00-17:00 Harold’s Cross Green, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6 www.haroldscross.org/festival-2024/
+ Sandymount Fun Cycle 11:00-12:00 Lansdowne Tennis Club, Londonbridge Road, Dublin 4 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1349645539139
+ Sundays at Noon : Susannah de Wrixon – voice, Conor Linehan – piano 12:00-13:00 Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1332122427039 (Booking required)
+ Contemporary Choral Music Workshop with Laetare Vocal Ensemble 12:00-15:00 DCU All Hallows Campus, Grace Park Road, Dublin 9 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1354968460139 (Booking required)
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+ A Guides’ Guide to Collins Barracks with Tóla Collier – Tour 14:00 National Museum, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2025/Q2/May-Tours-at-Collins-Barracks
+ St. Mary’s Hospital (formerly Royal Hibernian Military School) – Guided Tour 14:00 St. Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 (Meeting point: Left of the main hospital gates) www.phoenixpark.ie/tours/
+ Hugh Lane Gallery Public Tour 14:15 Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 hughlane.ie/explore_learn/sunday-public-tours-2/ (No booking required, but limited spaces)
+ Chester Beatty Museum Tour 15:00 Chester Beatty Museum, Gardens of Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2 chesterbeatty.ie/whats-on/free-public-tours/
+ Sunday Sketching – Family Workshop (Age 6-12) – Hugh Lane Gallery 15:00-16:00 Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 hughlane.ie/explore_learn/sunday-sketching/
+ Tour of the Irish National War Memorial Gardens 15:30 Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Island Bridge, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1312744928419 (Booking required)
+ A Guides’ Guide to Collins Barracks with Tóla Collier – Tour 15:30 National Museum, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2025/Q2/May-Tours-at-Collins-Barracks
+ Kid’s Drop By Activities 15:30-16:30 National Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 www.botanicgardens.ie/event/kids-drop-by-activities-4/2025-05-18/
+ Sunday Funday – Board Games Night 16:00-18:00 Beckett Locke, Point Square Village, Dublin 1 www.eventbrite.ie/e/847081713207 (Booking required)
+ Laetare Vocal Ensemble Summer Concert 18:00-19:30 DCU All Hallows Campus, Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1355784952289 (Booking required)
+ Icarus Comedy@ Bruxelles 20:00-22:00 Bruxelles, 8 Harry Street, Dublin 2 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1358456412699 (Booking required)
+ Jawbone: Acoustic Blues & Folk Commune 20:00 Arthur’s Blues & Jazz Club, 28 Thomas Street, Dublin 8 www.facebook.com/events/2884885621692568/2884885678359229
+ The Comedy Crunch – Comedy 21:00-22:45 Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/thecomedycrunch
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And the free events for next week….
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Please note: To speed up the creation of the weekday section of the Dublin Event Guide, I am experimenting with a few minor changes. One is that I am not adding the full address of the venue to all events anymore (for now). If you don’t know where the venue is, you will find it by checking the event link.
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Monday 19 May
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++ Bealtaine Festival – Arts & Creativity Featival bealtaine.ie/events-2/
+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Award Ceremony 2025 – International Literature Festival 11:00 Merrion Square Park ilfdublin.com/whats-on/schools/kpmg-childrens-books-ireland-award-ceremony-2025 (Booking required)
+ Bealtaine – Folk Music for Well-being with Ruairí O’Shea 11:00-12:00 Dalkey Library, Castle Street, Dalkey, Co. Dublin libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/event-calendar/bealtaine-folk-music-well-being-ruairi-oshea (Booking required)
+ Navigating the symptoms of Perimenopause: with My Girls Gynae 18:30-19:30 Deansgrange Library, Clonkeen Drive, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/event-calendar/navigating-symptoms-perimenopause-my-girls-gynae (Booking required)
+ Downtown Blues Dancing – Social Dancing with DJs 21:00-23:00 Mind the Step Cafe, 24 Strand Street Great, Dublin 1 www.facebook.com/events/1281472632925726
+ Song Cycle – Singer Songwriter Night – Open Night with special guests – Little Whelan’s 21:00 Whelan’s, 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2 www.whelanslive.com/event/song-cycle/
+ The Comedy Crunch – Comedy 21:00-22:45 Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/thecomedycrunch
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Tuesday 20 May
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++ Bealtaine Festival – Arts & Creativity Featival bealtaine.ie/events-2/
+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Nature Spotting with Smartphones 13:00 / 18:00 Richmond Barracks, off Bulfin Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8 richmondbarracks.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173663204 (Booking required)
+ Kid’s Drop By Activities 15:30-16:30 National Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 www.botanicgardens.ie/event/kids-drop-by-activities-6/2025-05-20/
+ Celebrating and Honouring Irish Veterans UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Congo (1961) & Cross-Cultural Connections Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Philippines 18:00-20:00 dlr Lexicon, Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin www.eventbrite.com/e/1362624409289 (Booking required)
+ Songs In The Long Room – Acoustic Open Mic Session 20:00-23:00 Hynes Bar, 79 Prussia Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 www.facebook.com/events/472368905228630
+ Darkey Kelly’s Tuesday Singer Songwriter Night 19:00-22:30 Darkey Kelly’s, Harding Hotel, Fishamble Street, Dublin 8 www.facebook.com/groups/915434861959818
+ Ukulele Tuesday – Weekly Ukulele Meetup 20:00 Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/UkuleleTuesday/
+ The Comedy Crunch – Comedy 21:00-22:45 Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/thecomedycrunch
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Wednesday 21 May
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++ Bealtaine Festival – Arts & Creativity Featival bealtaine.ie/events-2/
+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Teddy Bears’ Picnic with Aisling Smith (Age: 0-12 months) 10:00 / 11:30 / 14:00 dlr LexIcon, Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/event-calendar/teddy-bears-picnic-aisling-smith (Booking required)
+ Highlights of the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology – Tour 12:30 National Museum – Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Archaeology/Events/2025/Q2/February-Tours-at-NMI-Archaeology-(1)
+ Meet the Arts Council Literature Team – Information Clinic on Funding & Other Opp – International Literature Festival 13:00 Merrion Square Park ilfdublin.com/whats-on/festival/meet-the-arts-council-literature-team-information-clinic-on-funding-other-opportunities (Booking required)
+ Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again – Online Tour 13:00 Online www.nli.ie/exhibitions-events/online-tour-seamus-heaney-listen-now-again-25 (Booking required)
+ Biodiversity Week: Lecture with Dr. Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens 14:00-15:00 National Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 www.botanicgardens.ie/event/biodiversity-week-lecture-with-dr-matthew-jebb-director-of-the-national-botanic-gardens/
+ Irish National War Memorial Gardens – Guided Tour 14:00 Islandbridge, Dublin 8 (Meeting point at gates of car park) www.phoenixpark.ie/tours/
+ Challenging the Narrative: Reclaiming Traveller History in Ireland’s National Collections – Talk 18:00-19:00 Oak Room, Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 www.eventbrite.ie/e/1219276471749
+ Exhibition Tours: Routes and Realms — al-Masalik wa al-Mamalik 18:00 Chester Beatty Museum, Gardens of Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2 chesterbeatty.ie/whats-on/exhibition-tour-al-masalik-wal-mamalik/
+ Eating Well for a Healthier Life – Talk 18:30 Phibsboro Library www.dublincity.ie/events/eating-well-healthier-life-0 (Booking required)
+ Biodiversity Week: Murmurations – Photo Talk 18:30 dlr LexIcon, Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/event-calendar/biodiversity-week-murmurations (Booking required)
+ Bealtaine 2025: ‘Dublin Culture’ with the Joyce Stagers – Readings & Performances 18:30 Raheny Library www.dublincity.ie/events/bealtaine-2025-dublin-culture-joyce-stagers-1 (Booking required)
+ Doing More with Less in Our Community – Talk about the Circular Economy 18:30 www.dublincity.ie/events/doing-more-less-our-community (Booking required)
+ Birdwatch Ireland Tolka Branch Talk – On the Road, Wildlife Photography Tips with Mark Carmody 19:45-21:00 National Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 www.botanicgardens.ie/event/birdwatch-ireland-tolka-branch-talk-on-the-road-wildlife-photography-tips-with-mark-carmody/
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Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)
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Thursday 22 May
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++ Bealtaine Festival – Arts & Creativity Featival bealtaine.ie/events-2/
+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Sing For Fun! Choir Workshop (weekly) 11:00-12:00 Richmond Barracks, off Bulfin Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8 richmondbarracks.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173633651 (Booking required)
+ Tour for people who are hard of hearing: Highlights of the Collection 11:00 Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 hughlane.ie/explore_learn/tours-for-people-who-are-hard-of-hearing22-may-2025/ (Booking required)
+ Highlights of the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology – Tour 13:00 National Museum – Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Archaeology/Events/2025/Q2/February-Tours-at-NMI-Archaeology-(1)
+ Historical early meteorological observations from Ireland in the archives of the Royal Irish Academy (1783 – 1854) – Talk 13:00-14:00 Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 www.ria.ie/events/historical-early-meteorological-observations-from-ireland-in-the-archives-of-the-royal-irish-academy-1783-1854/ (Booking required)
+ The Road to Marriage Equality in Ireland: Reflections on a Referendum after 10 Years 13:30-15:00 Trinity Long Room Hub, TCD Campus, Dublin 2 www.tcd.ie/trinitylongroomhub/events-calendar/events/2025/the-road-to-marriage-equality-in-ireland–reflections-on-a-referendum-after-10-years.php
+ Bealtaine 2025: ‘Dublin Culture’ with the Joyce Stagers – Readings & Performances 13:30 Central Library www.dublincity.ie/events/bealtaine-2025-dublin-culture-joyce-stagers-0 (Booking required)
+ Grangegorman Military Cemetery – Guided Tour 14:00 Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7 (Meet at the gate) www.phoenixpark.ie/tours/
+ Director’s Tour of the National Library of Ireland 18:00 National Library, 7 Kildare Street. Dublin 2 www.nli.ie/exhibitions-events/directors-tour-national-library-ireland-2 (Booking required)
+ No Close Dancing – Talk about censorship and repression on the showband and dancehall scene in Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s – Bealtaine 18:30 www.dublincity.ie/events/no-close-dancing (Booking required)
++ Gustavus Jazz Ensemble and Gustavus Symphony Orchestra from Minnesota – Concert 19:30-21:00 www.visitdublin.com/the-gustavus-jazz-ensemble-and-gustavus-symphony-orchestra
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+++ AFRICA DAY
Africa Day events will take place in Dublin this weekend and next weekend. The official Africa Day is on 25 May every year, it is commemoration of the foundation of the Organization of African Unity on 25 May 1963 and now is a celebration of the cultural variety of this continent. Africa Day in Dublin is a great, fun day with music, food, drumming, dancing and there will be events in all four parts of Dublin (Dublin City, Finglas, South County Dublin, Dun Laoghaire). But the problem is that Africa Day is coordinated by Irish Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs), a government organisation and they are pretty useless when it comes to letting people know about details. The events are well organised, but the website and Facebook page is void of details. Not even start and end times are published for many events. Just the dates.
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The main event is at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham this weekend (18 May – 11:00-18:00?). There will be two stages with 40 music and performance groups. There is also a Facebook Post that claims an event in Tymon Park will be this weekend, but elsewhere it says that this event will be next week. A bit of a mess! But let’s all go to the event in Kilmainham this week! It is worth it! www.facebook.com/africadayireland/
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+++ International Literature Festival Dublin
The festival is taking place from 16-25 May in Merrion Square Park. There are not many free events, but the ones I could find are listed above. If you want to soak in a bit of the atmosphere nevertheless, you can access the Festival Village for free. You only really get to the food stalls (09:00-21:00) and the Dubray pop-up bookshop, but you might like that. ilfdublin.com/plan-your-visit/
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+++ Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival
If you are close to Donabate/Portrane, checkout the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival that has been moved from September to May and will run from 19-25 May. bleedingpig.ie/events-page-2025/
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++ Marlay Park is 50
marlay Park is 50 years in public ownership and to celebrate this birthday, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are inviting to a whole range of events starting with music events and workshops between 05 and 25 May www.dlrcoco.ie/dlr-events/event/feile-nasc-childrens-events-music-nights-more
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+++ Bealtaine: Celebrating Creativity as we age
The Bealtaine festival is a month long national celebration of the “arts and creativity as we age”. The festival is nearly 30 years old and initially it was described as “Celebrating Creativity in Older Age”. But what is “older age”? Is it pension age? Over 65? Or over 70 or maybe later? Nobody really knows.
At some point, a few years ago, the website said from Age 55. But most 55 year olds wouldn’t see themselves as “older age”.
The description was changed to “celebration of the arts and creativity as we age”, but does that help? We all age from birth, no? So the exact target group remains unclear, but the goal of the organisation behind the festival “Age & Opportunity” is to get people who normally are reluctant, to get engaged with culture. Who cares about the exact age!
Get involved and find the brochure at bealtaine.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bealtaine-2025-Programme.pdf and the events at bealtaine.ie/events-2/
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+++ Dublin City Council Culture Company
Every week, the Dublin City Council Culture Company organises cultural events in venues in Dublin. They are events in addition to the normal events in museums, galleries and other venues. All events are free, but access is by registration only. And these events are POPULAR!! So when I get to checking them out on the Friday before they take place, the most interesting ones are usually already booked out. If you are interested, check them out here cultureclubdublin.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows (This week you only see a few, because every month a new batch is uploaded not in a rolling way, but in a month by month way.)
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+++ LEARN A NEW SKILL WITH ONLINE COURSES
Is there ever a wrong time for learning a new skill or enhancing what you are already interested in? Maybe it is a language or an instrument or some technical skills? Or something completely different? Nearly every subject is there! Check out Udemy via the link below, they have thousands of courses and there is good chance that what you are looking for is available. Nearly all the courses are REALLY affordable!
The lowest price most of the time is EUR 12.99. Sometimes it even goes down further to EUR 9.99 and when that happens (about once or twice a year), I will tell you. But even 12.99 is definitely a good price for what you get! – Check out the website at www.getthislink.com/Udemy22 And if you buy through that link, you also help the Dublin Event Guide! :-)
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+++ IKEA Crafting / Music / Cooking Workshops
Ikea in Ballymun runs a variety of crafting, music and cooking workshops it is always worh checking out. The workshops are free and usually go for 45 minutes. They are always for children, but the age is often not fixed. There are specific Toddler and baby workshops at times as well. Check them out on www.ikea.com/ie/en/stores/events/ikea-ballymun/
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+++ Some more events:
+ Variety of Tours and talks at the National Museums in Kildare Street and at Collins Barracks www.museum.ie/en-ie/eventcalendar
+ Variety of Public Tours at the National Gallery www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
Find Library events here www.dublincity.ie/events
and Trinity College Events here www.tcd.ie/news_events/events/?day=18&month=03&year=2024&search=week
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+++ Storytelling and Toddler Groups at Dublin City Libraries
The Dublin City Libraries have published a list of Storytelling and Toddler groups for age 0-4 across the Dublin City Libraries. You can find it here www.dublincity.ie/library/blog/storytelling-and-toddler-groups-dublin-city-libraries
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And this is it for another week! Have a great weekend and good new week.
Take care,
–Joerg (dublineventguide@gmail.com)
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Copyright 2025 by Joerg Steegmueller
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