The National Heritage Week is full of amazing and interesting events. There are medieval fairs, night time bat walks, classical music, poetry, theatre, traditional music, storytelling, historical re-enactments, local history walks and talks, maritime and coastal events, food fairs, traditional skills workshops and archaeological digs. There’s something for everyone and most events are free.

Whether it is nature and wildlife, folklore, or built heritage, National Heritage Week aims to deliver messages and events that are positive, engaging and relevant in people’s day to day lives. Any person or organisation can actively take part in the Week and organise an event which educates people and promotes an aspect of Ireland’s Heritage.

Many attractions across Dublin are hosting Heritage Week events across the National Heritage Week such as National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Natural Museum of Ireland – Archeology, Chester Beatty Library, National Botanic Gardens.

The National Heritage Weeks will run from Sat 18 Aug until Sun 26 Aug. I will include a number of events here, but it is just not possible to include all events. There are about 400 (!!) events in the Dublin City area only! So you have to check the website for all details.

This doesn’t happen too often so make use of it:
During the Tall Ship Festival the Jeannie Johnston will be open for visitors free of charge.
The Jeanie Johnston is the Tall Ship & Famine Museum that is permanently anchored at Customs House Quay. The website shows you where exactly the ship is in case you don’t know it.

Kings of Concrete is a great event for the active kids of all ages. There is sakte boarding, BMX, Wakeboarding, Breakdance. Graffiti and lots of other things happening. The guys don’t like to get nailed down to much though, so there seems to be no starting or end time published. But, hey, you din’t really expect that, did you? :-P

For very very scarce details have a look at the website.

Dublin will be the final host port for the 2012 Tall Ships Races, an event that will see over 42 Tall Ships sail into the capital for a four day festival and celebration from 23-26th August 2012. Ships from Chile, Mexico, Argentina, the US, Italy and Norway will be here and will bring over 5000 participants.

There will be lots of activities with free street entertainment, live music, parades, funfairs, treasure hunts, water sport activities, viewing opportunities on board of ships and lots more.

Every day an extensive events programme will take place and most events are free. For Thursday the detailed events list is at www.dublintallships.ie/festival/friday-24th/#r2-a
A free family programme with nautical-themed workshops, an interactive sea orchestra, an open-air trapeze and circus sideshow and an amazing watersports programme in Grand Canal Dock will take place from 10:00-19:00.
The Kings of Concrete event for Skateboard, Skate, BMX and break dance enthusiasts will take place from 11:00-21:00.
Talks and exhibitions will take place.
The live music stage will feature the follwing performers on Friday: The Animators, Rams’ Pocket Radio, The Minutes, Lost Brothers, Mark Geary, Ryan Sheridan, Ash
You can download a map and programme overview here: www.dublintallships.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DTS_PublicMap_Schedule.pdf

To celebrate the opening the new pop-up experiment to get people making stuff, MAKESHOP will run a weekend of free drop-in workshops. Just around the corner from Science Gallery, on Lincoln Place, MAKESHOP is a new collaborative workshop space where you can learn everything from cross-stitching to DIY robotics, from origami to 3D printing. It’s for everyone from novices to advanced makers and the only thing you need to get involved is a curious mind and a yearning to make stuff.

At the weekend (24-26th August) a number of drop-in workshops will be available for free, to celebrate the opening:

LED throwies, Paper Toys, Extract your DNA, 8 bit Cross Stitch, Drawing Robots, Learn to solder, T-shirt tote bags, Bristle Bots, Clockify, T-shirt necklace. Detailed explanations are available on sciencegallery.com/events/2012/08/free-workshops-makeshop-science-gallery and even more information about this interesting project will soon be here shop.sciencegallery.com/makeshop (currently the pages are still empty!)

A walk around the cathedral is followed by a sit down activity which involves creating a stained glass window (using craft material). Suitable for ages 6-12 years This workshop is free of charge and no booking is necessary. For more information contact Andrew on 01 453 9472 or email education@stpatrickscathedral.ie

The Ferocious Mingle Market takes place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. On Sunday it is a fancy dress market. It’s a flea-market type permanent market with stalls and “chalets” for traders. The Oscar Verne Café and (at least at the weekends) live music adds even more character.

The location of the new indoor market is 72 Thomas Street (between the Vicar St venue & Cafe Notto) an opening hours are 11:00-18:00. There is also a Café, the Oscar Verne Café, open for business at the market.

Niamh from Puca puppets invites you to meet Mary Mary who is looking for help in finding clues co create and draw stories. Suitable for 6-10 year olds and their families. Admission is free, but places are limited and booking is advised on 01 677 75 10. (All children must be accompanied by adult.) The event is repeated at 11:00 and 14:00 from Friday until Sunday.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

Dalkey in South County Dublin is the venue of the Dalkey Lobster Fest 2012. You will find a fusion of local seafood and the best of current jazz musicians with fun events for the family. The festival starts on Friday and continues until Sunday. A whole range of festival events are not free, but a large amount of Live Music Events are completely free and sound very very interesting. A programme is posted on the I Love Dalkey website at www.ilovedalkey.com/news-archive/news/dalkey-lobster-jazz-fest-programme-2012 but depending on your computer configuration, this is virtually unreadable, so I created a PDF that is best readable at 125% zoom level and you can find it here www.dublineventguide.com/media/DalkeyLobsterFest2012.pdf
A selection of free events is (A whole range of Cookery Demonstrations (possibly not free) will take place as well):

Fri 24 Aug
13:00 Guided historical walk (free)
13:00-17:00 Jazz Buskers on the streets of Dalkey
16:00-01:00 Jazz in eight pubs of Dalkey (six of them are free). List of performers on event schedule as listed above
Sat 25 Aug
11:00-15:00 Jazz Buskers on the streets of Dalkey
13:00 Guided Historical Walk (free)
13:00 + 15:00 Mad Hatter Magic Show in Writers’ Corner
14:00 Jazzy Drumming Workshop in Writers’ Corner
16:00-00:00 Jazz in seven pubs in Dalkey (six of them are free). List of performers on event schedule as listed above
Sun26 Aug
11:00-17:00 Jazz Buskers on the streets of Dalkey
14:00-22:30 Jazz in five pubs in Dalkey and on an outdoor stage (Camembert Quartet on Church Carpark)

www.facebook.com/DalkeyLobsterFest

A long list of Family History workshops will take place at the National Library in August. The workshops start at 13:00 and will last approximately 20 minutes. No booking required. Seats are on a first come, first served basis. Because there are so many and because they are soo short, you might have to plan well ahead, for that reason I list them all here, but won’t list them on every day they take place but only on Monday and Friday.

The remaining workshops are

+ Fri 24 Aug: “National Archives of Ireland, sources online” with Catriona Crowe, National Archives
+ Mon 27 Aug: “A thousand years of Irish genealogy: how to use Gaelic pedigrees and family trees in your research” with Prof. Nollaig Ó Muraíle, NUIG
+ Tues 28 Aug: “The Registry of Deeds – records to trace your family history” with Mary Beglan, Genealogist
+ Wed 29 Aug: “Records for children in Care (pre-1952 adoptions)” with Fiona Fitzsimons, Eneclann

For Heritage Week, the National Print Museum invites to a free lunchtime tour to discover the fascinating history of printing. The tour will take place every day from Monday until Friday.

The IFI continues with its free Archive at Lunchtime screenings in August and is extending them to daily screenings now. The films are short films from the Irish Film Archive. There are two programmes on alternating days www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-1-aug-2012/ and www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-2-aug-2012 and a double bill on Saturdays www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-double-bill-discovering-ireland-amharc-eireann-eagran-16-23-blackwater-holiday/ Admission to all lunchtime screenings is free, just collect your ticket at the ticket desk.

At this Heritage Week event, visitors will be guided through the rooms of this Victorian Hall – home of the headquarters of Irish Freemasonry since 1869.

Friends of mine have doen this tour at previous culture nights and were facinated by it, so try to make it to that tour!

The Irish Architectural Archive is hosting an exhibition of drawings from the National Archives of Ireland at the Irish Architectural Archive to mark the 250th anniversary of the creation of Merrion Square. The exhibition will run until 12 October, but on Friday the exhibition will be launched to attend, you need to book your place with Anne Henderson 01-6633047. A number of free lectures in connection with the exhibition will take place between 05 Sept and 09 Oct and the complete list is here www.iarc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Merrion_Sq_250_Lecture_Series.pdf Admission to exhibition and talks is free.

For Heritage Week, free Organ Recitals given by the organists of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and guests will take place on 20+22+24 Aug. All events are free of charge.
+ Mon 20 Aug: Harry Meehan, organ scholar
+ Wed 22 Aug: Stuart Nicholson, organist & master of choristers (with Canon Charles Mullen)
+ Fri 24 Aug: David Leigh, assistant organist

Hidden Heritage is an evening of Irish food, live music and eclectic readings in the National Library’s Café Joly. The event is curated by Aoife Carrigy for National Heritage Week and will celebrate some lesser explored corners of the Irish national heritage. There will be a special evening menu available on the night. Admission is free but booking is recommended on 01 603 0257 (15:00-18:00) or 628food@gmail.com

St Patrick’s Cathedral is hosting a variety of talks and lectures during Heritage Week. All talks are free of charge, no booking is necessary. The schedule is:

Mon 20 Aug: Dr Eileen Kane: “Stained glass in the Cathedral context”
Wed 22 Aug: Brendan Twomey: “Swift, Dublin and Dubliners”
Fri 24 Aug: Denis Stefan: “Within these walls: Characters in the American and Irish Rebellions 1775-1802” (Themed tour)

The Bambir, an Armenian band that combines hard rock, Armenian traditional music and poetry, pulsing beats and whirling trances, ancient tales and pagan wails into their own unique sound. Admission is free. www.youtube.com/TheBambir

Need to wind down after a tiring week? Free Sahaja Yoga Meditation (not physical yoga, but “yoga meditation”!) classes every Friday at 19:30 at 4/5 Eustace Street, Temple Bar (next to IFI, ring bell no. 3)

A drop in class, with newcomers welcome.

Cornucopia Café & Restaurant host live music three evenings a week (Thurs, Fri and Sat). The restaurant is a Wholefood & Vegetarian Restaurant and is open until 22:15.
+ Every second Thursday N.C Lawlor, a songwriter, session player and troubadour plays a mix of country, bluegrass & blues from 19:30-21:30.
+ Every Friday (19:30-21:30) Junshi Murakami plays Irish Harp.
+ Every Saturday (19:30-21:30) Nollaig Mann plays a collection of popular and jazz classics.

From 23-29 August the Little Green Street Gallery is transformed into “More Than A Shop” by the Blind Tiger Collective. There will be workshops and gigs and the gallery is open every day from 11:00-18:00. Most events are not free, but on Friday evening the exhibition “More Than Meets The Eye – The Return” is open until late and there will be a DJ, drinks and BYOB. All events during the week (including the non-free events) are listed on the Facebook Page.

(Please note: Unless the Little Green Street Gallery has moved surprisingly over night, the address on the map at the bottom of the Facebook events page is incorrect.)

The Stillorgan Orchard provides regular live music. The upcoming gigs are: Fri 24 Aug: Real Deal, Sat 25 Aug: Tow the Line

A weekly car boot sale, one of less than a handful that is still reliably taking place, has up to 200 cars/sellers. The stadium is just a few minutes walk from the Red LUAS line stop and numerous bus stops. For traders the Car Boot Sale opens at 06:30 for buyers from 08:00. If you are interested in selling, check the details and register on their website.

The National Heritage Week is full of amazing and interesting events. There are medieval fairs, night time bat walks, classical music, poetry, theatre, traditional music, storytelling, historical re-enactments, local history walks and talks, maritime and coastal events, food fairs, traditional skills workshops and archaeological digs. There’s something for everyone and most events are free.

Whether it is nature and wildlife, folklore, or built heritage, National Heritage Week aims to deliver messages and events that are positive, engaging and relevant in people’s day to day lives. Any person or organisation can actively take part in the Week and organise an event which educates people and promotes an aspect of Ireland’s Heritage.

Many attractions across Dublin are hosting Heritage Week events across the National Heritage Week such as National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Natural Museum of Ireland – Archeology, Chester Beatty Library, National Botanic Gardens.

The National Heritage Weeks will run from Sat 18 Aug until Sun 26 Aug. I will include a number of events here, but it is just not possible to include all events. There are about 400 (!!) events in the Dublin City area only! So you have to check the website for all details.

The Dublin Food Co-op is open every Saturday at Newmarket for organic wholefoods and sustainable household products, plus over a dozen producer stalls offering organic fruit and veg., baked goods, dairy produce, wines, hot and cold food, etc. The Co-op is also open on Thursdays 12:00-20:00.

The weekly Honest2goodness food market in Glasnevin has fresh meat, vegetables, fish, baked goods, and wines. It is open from 09:30-16:00. It is behind Lidl in the Industrial Estate just after the Glasnevin Cemetary coming from the City Centre.

The SuperNatural Food Market is taking place every Saturday from 09:30-15:30 in St. Andrews Resource Centre in Pearse Street, Dublin 2.

Every year since 2002, the Irish Sand Sculpting Team “Duthain Dealbh” is creating a sand sculpture exhibition in the courtyard of Dublin Castle. The sand sculpting team has 7 days to create the sculptures out of 80 tonnes of sand and after that the sculptures will be on show for another month. The carving took place from 30 July – 05 Aug and the exhibition runs from 06 Aug-02 Sept. The sculptures are truly impressive and I strongly recommend that you have a look when you are in town. If my memory is right, in previous years four sculptures were created, but this year the team seems to have lost a member and will create therefore three sculptures. “Bright Spark” is the title of the exhibition and it is inspired by the innovations of Irish scientists. www.irish-sand.com

The Frank Duffy Memorial Road Race over 10 miles is one of the pre-Marathon training events in Phoenix Park. It will take place on Saturday and participation is not free. However, it is free to watch and to support the runners and in case you had planned to access Phoenix Park on Saturday, you better check the extensive road closures: www.aaireland.ie/AA/AA-Roadwatch/Event-Guide/Sports-Events/Memorial-Road-Race.aspx The website www.dublinmarathon.ie should provide all details, but the website seems to be down while I am writing this. I am not even sure about the starting time because I couldn’t find a reliable reference to it.

Jamestown Flea Market + Car Boot Sale. Every Sat+Sun from 10:00-17:00 the Jamestown Market is taking place. You can reach it from Tyrconnell Road and from Kylemore Road and it is within 3 min from Black Horse stop on red Luas line.

This doesn’t happen too often so make use of it:
During the Tall Ship Festival the Jeannie Johnston will be open for visitors free of charge.
The Jeanie Johnston is the Tall Ship & Famine Museum that is permanently anchored at Customs House Quay. The website shows you where exactly the ship is in case you don’t know it.

The third Kilmainham Arts Festival takes place this weekend in indoor and outdoor venues in the Kilmainham area. The festival showcases all genres of arts with performers from the area and from beyond. The festival has an interesting list of events, but the organisers don’t make it too easy for visitors to find get a simple overview of what happens when.
Most events over the weekend are listed here. A large number of events is free, but not all of them are free and I strongly recommend that you check the not very nice schedule at festival.kilmainhamartsclub.com/events/calendar.php or the overview at www.facebook.com/events/502766696404119/

+ Photographic Exhibition in Kilmainham Hilton

+ Live Music with
Marita Connolly (Singer/pianist) and cellist Jean Hackett
The Hot Club of Dublin (Gypsy jazz)
African music and dance with WassaWassa and Sadjo Sissokho (Harp)
Maria Laura Ronzoni (Singer/Songwriter)

+ Events and Workshops
‘Ginko’ Haiku walk and workshop with Maeve O’Sullivan
Sword Fighting workshop with Adam Duggan
Tai Chi for everyone outdoors in the grounds of IMMA
Family Fun outdoor events
African Drumming Workshops for children and adults with WassaWassa
Street Art demonstration with artist FINK
Devil’s Glen Records Original Song Contest
MultiMedia Room featuring work of Irish artists in the audio visual domain
Interactive Arts workshops
Children’s art workshops in IMMA studios
Burlesque workshops and performances with Azaria Starfire

+ Spoken word, Talks, and More
Theatre – three-man play based on the life of Brian Keenan ‘Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me’, directed by Niall O’Higgins
Pat Liddy Walk & Talk followed by lunch with Dermot Ryan classical guitarist
Francis Ledwidge – screening of ‘Behind Closed Eyes’ and poetry readings
Dance performances
Inn Jokes featuring Colm O’Regan and Joe Rooney (aka Father Damo)
Art-On-the-Rails outdoor art exhibition with over 30 artists
Star Stories – 2-hour storytelling and music event hosted by ‘Mrs. Nellie Murphy’.
Artists’ Talks and slide shows from artists Mary Duffy and Kevin McSherry

Kings of Concrete is a great event for the active kids of all ages. There is sakte boarding, BMX, Wakeboarding, Breakdance. Graffiti and lots of other things happening. The guys don’t like to get nailed down to much though, so there seems to be no starting or end time published. But, hey, you din’t really expect that, did you? :-P

For very very scarce details have a look at the website.

The Merchants Market on East Wall Road is a relatively new weekly market on Saturdays and Sundays with more than 80 stalls. There is everything from furniture and antiques to paintings and mirrors, electronics and hot food to bicycles and buns. Sounds interesting and I will check it out over the coming weeks. It is just a few minutes walk away from the Point Theatre/O2 (walk in the direction of the Port Tunnel). www.facebook.com/merchantsindoormarket

Dublin’s Merrion Square Open Day is a day of special events celebrating the rich and diverse heritage of Merrion Square and its surroundings. You will have an opportunity to see properties not often open to the public and enjoy special talks, walks and music in a programme with something for everyone. Places for some events and tours are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.
The participating venues and organisations are
+ Number 29, Georgian House Museum. Junction of Fitzwilliam Street Lower and Mount Street Upper
+ 49 Merrion Square, National University of Ireland
+ 45 Merrion Square, Irish Architectural Archive
+ St. Stephen’s Pepper Canister Church
+ 63 Merrion Square, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland – Institute of Archaeologists in Ireland (South Side of Square)
+ 73 Merrion Square, Irish Traditional Music Archives
+ 74 Merrion Square, Central Catholic Library
+ 77 Merrion Square, TTT Gallery
+ Rutland Fountain, Merrion Square West. Meet here for Dr. Conor Lucey’s walking tour
+ 8 Merrion Square, Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
+ Lincoln Place, Sweney’s Chemist
+ Westland Row, St. Andrews Parish Church
+ Merrion Street, Natural History Museum
+ Clare Street, National Gallery.
+ Kildare Street, National Library.
+ Kildare Street, National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology.
+ National Print Museum – Beggars Bush Barracks, Haddington Road, Dublin 4.
+ South Frederick Street, Dublin 2. The Doorway Gallery

A very detailed programme with all the events on the day is available at www.esb.ie/main/about-esb/numbertwentynine/Merrion_Square_Open_Day_Flyer_2012.pdf
If you do only one thing on the day, you should go to No 29 on Merrion Square (www.esb.ie/no29 ) which is a great Georgian House Museum. Free tours are available from 10:00-17:00.

But all other buildings and events are interesting as well. If you have some times, go to a number of them. And on top of that there will be talks, tours and musical performances.

An indoor market in Coolock with over 40 traders with a wide range of goods and a café on site as well.

Yes, you did read right, a “National Potato Day”! But it is as official and created for the same reasons as Guinness’ Arthur’s Day: The National Potato Day is a (clever) promotional idea of the Keogh Family, a large scale potato farm in North Dublin. In order to breath some new life into a decreasing potato market, the Keogh Family will try to encourage everybody to rediscover their love for potatoes and they are bringing a taste of their farm and all its spud specialties from Oldtown, North County Dublin to the north quays of the River Liffey. A complete marquee dedicated to the spud will be in place during the Tall Ships Races 2012 from 23-26 Aug.

Everyone who visits the marquee can enjoy all aspects of the spud including some free samples of Keogh’s crisps and potato goodies. There will also be demonstrations on how versatile the spud is with nutritional information, quirky recipes and many more spud surprises.

I was at last year’s Potato Day “celebrations” in Merrion Square and the day had not yet inspired the masses to come out to the event, but at Bloom in the Park in Phoenix Park, earlier this year, the Keogh Crisps and microwaveable potato bags were quite popular. This year’s decision to join the festivities around the Tall Ship Races will probably give them the visitor numbers (and more) they are hoping for.

Dublin will be the final host port for the 2012 Tall Ships Races, an event that will see over 42 Tall Ships sail into the capital for a four day festival and celebration from 23-26th August 2012. Ships from Chile, Mexico, Argentina, the US, Italy and Norway will be here and will bring over 5000 participants.

There will be lots of activities with free street entertainment, live music, parades, funfairs, treasure hunts, water sport activities, viewing opportunities on board of ships and lots more.

Every day an extensive events programme will take place and most events are free. For Thursday the detailed events list is at www.dublintallships.ie/festival/saturday-25th/
A free family programme with nautical-themed workshops, an interactive sea orchestra, an open-air trapeze and circus sideshow and an amazing watersports programme in Grand Canal Dock will take place from 13:00-18:00.
The Kings of Concrete event for Skateboard, Skate, BMX and break dance enthusiasts will take place from 11:00-21:00.
Talks and exhibitions will take place.
The live music stage will feature the follwing performers on Saturday: Mighty Stef, The Spook of the 13th Lock, This Club, Delorentos, Frank & Walters, Therapy?, The Undertones
You can download a map and programme overview here: www.dublintallships.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DTS_PublicMap_Schedule.pdf

The Temple Bar Markets (Food Market on Meeting House Square, Book Market on Temple Bar Square and the Designer Mart near Cow’s Lane) are taking place every Saturday from 10:00-16:30.

Every Saturday until 25 Aug, Colette Burke, a Zumba fitness instructor, is running free Zumba fitness classes on the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire from 10:30-12:30 (weather permitting). If you want to take part you can contact Colette on 087-2476673 and find more information on her website.

At the Blackrock Market in the centre of Blackrock, you’ll find 50 stalls selling collectibles, antiques, handmade goods, books, food & there’s free popcorn, ballons & facepainting for the kids.
Open on Saturdays and Bank Holidays: 11:00-17:30, and Sundays: 12:00-17:30.

At this workshop, children will decorate their duck for the duck race that will fowllow the workshop. There will be glitter and glue, paint and polish, come on down and give your duck some character before it joins the Duck Race.

At this Heirate Week Family Fun Day in the National Print Museum there will be mini children’s workshops, face painting arts and crafts and printing demonstrations.

To celebrate the opening the new pop-up experiment to get people making stuff, MAKESHOP will run a weekend of free drop-in workshops. Just around the corner from Science Gallery, on Lincoln Place, MAKESHOP is a new collaborative workshop space where you can learn everything from cross-stitching to DIY robotics, from origami to 3D printing. It’s for everyone from novices to advanced makers and the only thing you need to get involved is a curious mind and a yearning to make stuff.

At the weekend (24-26th August) a number of drop-in workshops will be available for free, to celebrate the opening:

LED throwies, Paper Toys, Extract your DNA, 8 bit Cross Stitch, Drawing Robots, Learn to solder, T-shirt tote bags, Bristle Bots, Clockify, T-shirt necklace. Detailed explanations are available on sciencegallery.com/events/2012/08/free-workshops-makeshop-science-gallery and even more information about this interesting project will soon be here shop.sciencegallery.com/makeshop (currently the pages are still empty!)

During the Tall Ship Festival a few free introductory sports classes will take place in the CHQ Building:
Sat 25 Aug: 11:00-12:30 Yoga Hatha Workshop with Marie Moran
Sat 25 Aug: 13:00-14:30 Kettle Bell Boot camp
Sun 26 Aug: 13:00-17:00 Neuro muscular therapy assessment and treatment

An exhibition of the work by members of the Irish Model Boat Club, featuring mini Tall Ships, RNLI Lifeboats and a 16ft model of Titanic. Demonstrations of radio controlled model boats take place at 13:00 each day (Sat+Sun).
A Model Boat Building Workshop will take place from 12:00 each day (Sat+Sun). Children from 7 years are invited (but must be accompanied by an adult). At the workshop you will learn how to build your own model boat with the assistance of the Irish Model Boat Club members. Limited places, booking advisable via 01-6777510

The Ferocious Mingle Market takes place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. On Sunday it is a fancy dress market. It’s a flea-market type permanent market with stalls and “chalets” for traders. The Oscar Verne Café and (at least at the weekends) live music adds even more character.

The location of the new indoor market is 72 Thomas Street (between the Vicar St venue & Cafe Notto) an opening hours are 11:00-18:00. There is also a Café, the Oscar Verne Café, open for business at the market.

Niamh from Puca puppets invites you to meet Mary Mary who is looking for help in finding clues co create and draw stories. Suitable for 6-10 year olds and their families. Admission is free, but places are limited and booking is advised on 01 677 75 10. (All children must be accompanied by adult.) The event is repeated at 11:00 and 14:00 from Friday until Sunday.

The RDS Serpentine Hall will be the home of the Which Course Expo over this weekend (Sat+Sun). It is Dublin’s largest Course fair and admission is free. About 57 course providers (from business to aromatherapy) will exhibit and offer information and a number of free seminars. Find all details on the website.

This will be the third year for “Yoga in the Park” and I think it is a brilliant initiative for a very worthy cause. From June until September, Fiona from www.twopalmsyoga.com invites to an hour of Yoga in Phoenix Park. No booking is required and you decide how much you give, the class is donation based. All proceeds go to the Dublin Simon Community, a charity that does invaluable work for the homeless people in Dublin. Just bring a mat or a towel, some water and (hopefully) even some sun protection to the class. Should the weather be bad, the bandstand will be shelter or even training location. The training is suitable for all levels, so even total beginners are very welcome.

Guided Heritage tours of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham are available from 4 July – 2 September at the following times: Wed-Sat: 11:30, 14:00 and 16:00, Sun: 14:00 and 16:00. Tours are free and no booking is required.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

This week’s Art for Art’s Sake Walking Tour starts at Connolly Station (meet next to the Ticket desk) and will bring you to the following galleries: Little Green Street Gallery, Darcspace, Smock Alley Theatre, No grants Gallery, St. Mary’s Abbey, Graphic Studio Gallery, Doorway Gallery and Talbot Gallery.

The Art for Art’s Sake Tours are a great idea and participation is free (donations are very much welcome, though). The tour will be a guided tour of current exhibitions in Dublin. There will be discussions of artwork lead by the artist/curator or member of gallery visited, a break will give you a chance to get some food/drink and to finish the tour an exhibition opening/cultural event (where applicable) will be the final destination.

To book a place on the tour send an email to artforartsake.gallery@gmail.com

The Progressive Film Club invites to a Cuban Film Day. Admission to the films screenings is free, but donations are welcome. The films are
12:00 Comandante (2003)
14:00 Land of Hope and Glory (1986)
15:00 Memories of Underdevelopment (1968)
The Progressive Film Club is a voluntary organisation dedicated to showing progressive films from all over the world. Struggles for people’s rights, for the rights of workers, of immigrants, of women, for national liberation and for social justice are some of the themes. www.progressivefilmclub.ie

A new Art & Craft Market will be taking place in the Exchange Dublin in Temple Bar and it will take place every last Saturday of the month. You can find original artworks and other handmade goods from 12:00-18:00.

As part of the Kilmainham Arts Festival Pat Liddy will lead a Walk & Talk around the historic heart of Kilmainham. Meet at the West entrance to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, South Circular Road, Dublin 8. Take in the grounds of the Royal Hospital including the ancient graveyard, Bully’s Acre before enjoying a stroll around the south environs of Kilmainham.

Dalkey in South County Dublin is the venue of the Dalkey Lobster Fest 2012. You will find a fusion of local seafood and the best of current jazz musicians with fun events for the family. The festival starts on Friday and continues until Sunday. A whole range of festival events are not free, but a large amount of Live Music Events are completely free and sound very very interesting. A programme is posted on the I Love Dalkey website at www.ilovedalkey.com/news-archive/news/dalkey-lobster-jazz-fest-programme-2012 but depending on your computer configuration, this is virtually unreadable, so I created a PDF that is best readable at 125% zoom level and you can find it here www.dublineventguide.com/media/DalkeyLobsterFest2012.pdf
A selection of free events is (A whole range of Cookery Demonstrations (possibly not free) will take place as well):

Fri 24 Aug
13:00 Guided historical walk (free)
13:00-17:00 Jazz Buskers on the streets of Dalkey
16:00-01:00 Jazz in eight pubs of Dalkey (six of them are free). List of performers on event schedule as listed above
Sat 25 Aug
11:00-15:00 Jazz Buskers on the streets of Dalkey
13:00 Guided Historical Walk (free)
13:00 + 15:00 Mad Hatter Magic Show in Writers’ Corner
14:00 Jazzy Drumming Workshop in Writers’ Corner
16:00-00:00 Jazz in seven pubs in Dalkey (six of them are free). List of performers on event schedule as listed above
Sun26 Aug
11:00-17:00 Jazz Buskers on the streets of Dalkey
14:00-22:30 Jazz in five pubs in Dalkey and on an outdoor stage (Camembert Quartet on Church Carpark)

www.facebook.com/DalkeyLobsterFest

A Record Fair with LPs, CDs and cassettes from every musical genre will take place. Admission is free.

Astronomy Ireland are continuing their weekly Sun Shows at the Astronomy Ireland Shop in Swords. Each Saturday, the staff of the Astronomy Ireland Shop will be showing you amazing views of our nearest star. Using special filters and some of the largest telescopes in Ireland you will get to see sunspots bigger than Earth and huge solar flare bursting from our nearest star. If it’s cloudy, there will be a telescope demonstration and you will find out how you can safely observe the Sun and undertake some daytime astronomy using your own telescope.

It is expected that this will be Ireland’s biggest Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Bring your bears, blankets and picnic and join the many people, young and old in Blackrock Park. Doctor Ted and the Teddy Bears Hospital will be in the Park for minor repairs and health checks. There will also be a DJ, face painting, bouncy castles and inflatable games for all ages, entertainment on the Lake Stage, a “make & do” area and picnic facilities with lots of goodies.

The Teddy Bears Picnic is a free event, organised by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR) and everyone should bring a Teddy Bear to get into the picnic and partake in the event. The DLR sports department will run plenty of games to try and lots of fun in the park with running, jumping and throwing. Last year thousands of people and teddy bears of all shapes and sizes attended this largest Teddy Bears’ Picnic in Ireland.

The Teddy Bears Picnic is nicely integrated into a whole weekend of festivities in Blackrock, the Blackrock Family & Jazz Festival. Find out about further events later on Saturday and on Sunday here in the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events).

The IFI continues with its free Archive at Lunchtime screenings in August and is extending them to daily screenings now. The films are short films from the Irish Film Archive. There are two programmes on alternating days www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-1-aug-2012/ and www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-2-aug-2012 and a double bill on Saturdays www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-double-bill-discovering-ireland-amharc-eireann-eagran-16-23-blackwater-holiday/ Admission to all lunchtime screenings is free, just collect your ticket at the ticket desk.

The Ink Slingers Creative Writing Hour takes place every Saturday at the Irish Writers’ Centre. It is a free creative writing session that is organised and led by the Centre’s voluntary arts administrators. The hour includes writing exercises and prompts to get ideas flowing. It is open to everyone and is suitable for all levels of experience.

At this Heritage Week event, visitors will be guided through the rooms of this Victorian Hall – home of the headquarters of Irish Freemasonry since 1869.

Friends of mine have doen this tour at previous culture nights and were facinated by it, so try to make it to that tour!

Come for a walk through the Botanic Gardens’ plant collections and discover the many rare and old trees that grow in the National Botanic Gardens. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centr.

A Heritage Week event in the National Library is a Guided Tour on Saturday: “Join us for this short tour to learn about the NLI’s history and architecture.” Admission is free and no booking required.

Emily Gallagher will run a weekly fun-filled Aerobics Fitness class every Saturday in Merrion Square. Meet Emily at the park gate opposite the National Gallery. You can contact her on 085-2725095 or on egaldog AT gmail DOT com

A Guided Tour of the Yeats Exhibition will take place in the NLI at this Heritage Week event. Learn more about one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century on this guided tour. Admission is free and booking is not required.

The Darklight Festival, will present a programme for children aged 7-17, including a Stop Motion Animation workshop from acclaimed director Fergal Brennan, a create your own animation character workshop, as well as animation screenings. For more information visit www.darklight.ie or telephone 01 445 64 83. While seemingly all adult events at the Darklight Festival this weekend are not free, all children workshops/events are free.

For Heritage Week two Cemetery Tours at Glasnevin Cemetery are free of charge (normally EUR 6). The first one is on Sat 18 Aug at 15:30 and the second one takes place on Sat 25 Aug at 15:30. Admission is free, as I said, but booking is essential as places are limited. Contact the museum on 01 8826550 to make a reservation.

I did this tour some years ago and it is really interesting. So, if you get a chance to go to the cemetary, go for it.

The Waterways Ireland Community Choir will perform. Its members are from the Docklands and along the canals and they are coming together to sing songs of the rivers, canals and docks to celebrate the visiting Tall Ships.

The Jazz element of the Blackrock Family & Jazz Festival starts at 17:00 and continues until late in the pubs and bars of Blackrock. The performances are:

– Jack O’Rourke’s Pub: The Zanzibar Heroes (17:00-19:00), The Small Hours (21:30-late)
– O’Donohue’s: The Snails (Jazz theme) plus a special performance on Sun 26 by the Cat Burglars(18:30)
– Breffni: TBC
– Tonic: Féilim Gormley Trio
– Avoca Bar: “DJ Now” playing jazz and swing music from 20:30
– Wicked Wolf: Retro Clones (not jazz)

Lars von Trier’s “Breaking the Waves” will be screened in the Exchange Dublin and admission is free.

The Pete Pamf Sekstette (you know the proper spelling with an “x” in it, but if I use the proper spelling, the Spam Filters will act up) will play in Whelan’s. Admission is free,

Cornucopia Café & Restaurant host live music three evenings a week (Thurs, Fri and Sat). The restaurant is a Wholefood & Vegetarian Restaurant and is open until 22:15.
+ Every second Thursday N.C Lawlor, a songwriter, session player and troubadour plays a mix of country, bluegrass & blues from 19:30-21:30.
+ Every Friday (19:30-21:30) Junshi Murakami plays Irish Harp.
+ Every Saturday (19:30-21:30) Nollaig Mann plays a collection of popular and jazz classics.

In 1934 a campaign against Jazz music in Ireland was busy fighting against this terrible foreign noise and the organisers of this event, the Improvised Music Company, cleverly picked it up as a theme for their festival. Down with Jazz” is a 3-day Jazz Festival on Meeting House Square in Temple Bar and it is all free (but ticketed).

The line-up on Friday is The Swoo–Beh Project, Freefall, 3G, Jaime Nancy & The Blue Boys, Oko

On Saturday (from 19:30) the performers are Leafzang, Phisqa, Freefall, Christine Tobin, Umbra, Mixtapes from the Underground.
On Sunday (14:00-20:00) the line-up is Rhombus, Redivider, Buckley Standard Time, Sweeney’s Jazzmen, Max Zazka’s Groove, Hot House Big Band.

All tickets have been snapped up, so it is “sold” out. However, with sooo many events taking place this weekend and because possibly some people might either just come to Down with Jazz for a while or might have other plans, I expect that there is a possibility that even without a ticket you can get access. It is difficult to run an event like that: On one hand you can’t hand out more tickets than there is room, on the other hand you can’t ensure that all people will come and will stay. My recommendation? If you are passionate about the event but couldn’t get a ticket, give it a go. Go to the Meeting House Square and hope for the best. But importantly, don’t get upset if you can’t get in. There is a chance but no guarantee. The organisers are trying their best to find a good solution for everyone, but it is the first year for this festival so there is no experience with it yet.

This is a weekly Saturday night residency of a Jazz Quartet, featuring Michael Nielsen (guitar), Sam Comerford (sax), Cormac O Brien (bass), James Mackin (drums) in the basement Wine Cave of KC Peaches wholefood restaurant/café. Food will be served until 22:00 and wine, minerals & music will be available until later. Admission is free and a donation into a hat at the end of the evening is appreciated.

Bringing a taste of Notting Hill Carnival to Dublin with
+ Antrophe (Punky Reggae Party / Sound Tracks for Them)
+ Reggae Richie (Worries Outernational). . .
They will be lashing out the dancehall vibes for all of you who can’t make it to the carnival in Notting Hill.

Admission is free.

The Stillorgan Orchard provides regular live music. The upcoming gigs are: Fri 24 Aug: Real Deal, Sat 25 Aug: Tow the Line

Irish Rock ‘n’ roll band Madra play Pacino’s on Sat. Doors open at 20:30 and guests are Jack Rabbit Slims. www.myspace.com/madramusic

The Urban Mojo Blues Band,is a Dublin based five piece band drawing influences from electric Chicago blues and rock to produce a lively uptempo grooving blues will be performing every Saturday in Oil Can Harry’s. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Urban-Mojo-Blues-Band/87569518524

The Dublin City Triathlon takes place in Phoenix Park on Sunday (a busy sports weekend for Phoenix Park!) The event is not free and certainly not for everyone with a 1500, swim in the Liffey, 40km cycle in Phoenix Park and 10km run in Phoenix Park, but you can support the event if you wish. The first wave starts at 09:00 for the swim. The transition area is on Chapelizod Road and there is no parking nearby! This year’s sponsor of the Triathlon is Vodafone and the organiser is the Piranha Triathlon Club.

The National Heritage Week is full of amazing and interesting events. There are medieval fairs, night time bat walks, classical music, poetry, theatre, traditional music, storytelling, historical re-enactments, local history walks and talks, maritime and coastal events, food fairs, traditional skills workshops and archaeological digs. There’s something for everyone and most events are free.

Whether it is nature and wildlife, folklore, or built heritage, National Heritage Week aims to deliver messages and events that are positive, engaging and relevant in people’s day to day lives. Any person or organisation can actively take part in the Week and organise an event which educates people and promotes an aspect of Ireland’s Heritage.

Many attractions across Dublin are hosting Heritage Week events across the National Heritage Week such as National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Natural Museum of Ireland – Archeology, Chester Beatty Library, National Botanic Gardens.

The National Heritage Weeks will run from Sat 18 Aug until Sun 26 Aug. I will include a number of events here, but it is just not possible to include all events. There are about 400 (!!) events in the Dublin City area only! So you have to check the website for all details.

Join author and Botanic Gardens guide Glynn Anderson for a guided bird-walk through the gardens. As well as the garden regulars, who knows what you might see: a Pheasant, or a Sparrowhawk in the trees, or maybe a Kingfisher or Dipper on the river? Catch the last of the summer migrants like Swallows and Swifts before they make the long flight back to Africa. Bring binoculars if you have them. Admission is free, but booking is required via 01-8040300

Every year since 2002, the Irish Sand Sculpting Team “Duthain Dealbh” is creating a sand sculpture exhibition in the courtyard of Dublin Castle. The sand sculpting team has 7 days to create the sculptures out of 80 tonnes of sand and after that the sculptures will be on show for another month. The carving took place from 30 July – 05 Aug and the exhibition runs from 06 Aug-02 Sept. The sculptures are truly impressive and I strongly recommend that you have a look when you are in town. If my memory is right, in previous years four sculptures were created, but this year the team seems to have lost a member and will create therefore three sculptures. “Bright Spark” is the title of the exhibition and it is inspired by the innovations of Irish scientists. www.irish-sand.com

Jamestown Flea Market + Car Boot Sale. Every Sunday from 10:00-17:00 the Jamestown Market is taking place. You can reach it from Tyrconnell Road and from Kylemore Road and it is within 3 min from Black Horse stop on red Luas line.

This doesn’t happen too often so make use of it:
During the Tall Ship Festival the Jeannie Johnston will be open for visitors free of charge.
The Jeanie Johnston is the Tall Ship & Famine Museum that is permanently anchored at Customs House Quay. The website shows you where exactly the ship is in case you don’t know it.

Kings of Concrete is a great event for the active kids of all ages. There is sakte boarding, BMX, Wakeboarding, Breakdance. Graffiti and lots of other things happening. The guys don’t like to get nailed down to much though, so there seems to be no starting or end time published. But, hey, you din’t really expect that, did you? :-P

For very very scarce details have a look at the website.

The Merchants Market on East Wall Road is a relatively new weekly market on Saturdays and Sundays with more than 80 stalls. There is everything from furniture and antiques to paintings and mirrors, electronics and hot food to bicycles and buns. Sounds interesting and I will check it out over the coming weeks. It is just a few minutes walk away from the Point Theatre/O2 (walk in the direction of the Port Tunnel). www.facebook.com/merchantsindoormarket

Every Sunday, the Merrion Square Open Air Art Gallery takes place. Up to 200 artists exhibit their paintings on the railings on three sides (West, North and East) of Merrion Square and you can just enjoy the exhibition or even buy.

Dublin will be the final host port for the 2012 Tall Ships Races, an event that will see over 42 Tall Ships sail into the capital for a four day festival and celebration from 23-26th August 2012. Ships from Chile, Mexico, Argentina, the US, Italy and Norway will be here and will bring over 5000 participants.

There will be lots of activities with free street entertainment, live music, parades, funfairs, treasure hunts, water sport activities, viewing opportunities on board of ships and lots more.

Every day an extensive events programme will take place and most events are free. For Thursday the detailed events list is at www.dublintallships.ie/festival/sunday-26th/
A free family programme with nautical-themed workshops, an interactive sea orchestra, an open-air trapeze and circus sideshow and an amazing watersports programme in Grand Canal Dock will take place from 13:00-18:00.
The Kings of Concrete event for Skateboard, Skate, BMX and break dance enthusiasts will take place from 11:00-18:00.
Talks and exhibitions will take place.
The live music stage will feature the follwing performers on Sunday: Craiceann, Dublin Gospel Choir, Harry J & The Conspiracy
You can download a map and programme overview here: www.dublintallships.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DTS_PublicMap_Schedule.pdf

Woodturning Demonstration & Workshop with Kieran Reynolds. Reynolds works in his home workshop exclusively with Irish grown timber. In the Botanic Gardens, he will demonstrate his craft throughout the day from 10:00, using Irish-grown wood. He will also display a range of his pieces.

The next Dublin Flea Market is taking place in the Food Coop, 12 Newmarket, just off Cork Street, Dublin 8 on Sun from 11:00-17:00. The flea market takes place every last Sunday of the month. For more information or if you want to sell your own stuff, check out www.dublinflea.ie “A bizarre bazaar of vintage clothing, bric-a-brac and what nots, old and new. Stalls include hand-made goods, art, jewelry, furniture, records and lots more unwanted items that may just be your treasure!”
The Coop Hall is wheelchair accessible and lots of free parking spaces are right outside the door. There are now up to 20 additional outdoor stands as well.

The third Kilmainham Arts Festival takes place this weekend in indoor and outdoor venues in the Kilmainham area. The festival showcases all genres of arts with performers from the area and from beyond. The festival has an interesting list of events, but the organisers don’t make it too easy for visitors to find get a simple overview of what happens when.
Most events over the weekend are listed here. A large number of events is free, but not all of them are free and I strongly recommend that you check the not very nice schedule at festival.kilmainhamartsclub.com/events/calendar.php or the overview at www.facebook.com/events/502766696404119/

+ Photographic Exhibition in Kilmainham Hilton

+ Live Music with
Marita Connolly (Singer/pianist) and cellist Jean Hackett
The Hot Club of Dublin (Gypsy jazz)
African music and dance with WassaWassa and Sadjo Sissokho (Harp)
Maria Laura Ronzoni (Singer/Songwriter)

+ Events and Workshops
‘Ginko’ Haiku walk and workshop with Maeve O’Sullivan
Sword Fighting workshop with Adam Duggan
Tai Chi for everyone outdoors in the grounds of IMMA
Family Fun outdoor events
African Drumming Workshops for children and adults with WassaWassa
Street Art demonstration with artist FINK
Devil’s Glen Records Original Song Contest
MultiMedia Room featuring work of Irish artists in the audio visual domain
Interactive Arts workshops
Children’s art workshops in IMMA studios
Burlesque workshops and performances with Azaria Starfire

+ Spoken word, Talks, and More
Theatre – three-man play based on the life of Brian Keenan ‘Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me’, directed by Niall O’Higgins
Pat Liddy Walk & Talk followed by lunch with Dermot Ryan classical guitarist
Francis Ledwidge – screening of ‘Behind Closed Eyes’ and poetry readings
Dance performances
Inn Jokes featuring Colm O’Regan and Joe Rooney (aka Father Damo)
Art-On-the-Rails outdoor art exhibition with over 30 artists
Star Stories – 2-hour storytelling and music event hosted by ‘Mrs. Nellie Murphy’.
Artists’ Talks and slide shows from artists Mary Duffy and Kevin McSherry

To celebrate the opening the new pop-up experiment to get people making stuff, MAKESHOP will run a weekend of free drop-in workshops. Just around the corner from Science Gallery, on Lincoln Place, MAKESHOP is a new collaborative workshop space where you can learn everything from cross-stitching to DIY robotics, from origami to 3D printing. It’s for everyone from novices to advanced makers and the only thing you need to get involved is a curious mind and a yearning to make stuff.

At the weekend (24-26th August) a number of drop-in workshops will be available for free, to celebrate the opening:

LED throwies, Paper Toys, Extract your DNA, 8 bit Cross Stitch, Drawing Robots, Learn to solder, T-shirt tote bags, Bristle Bots, Clockify, T-shirt necklace. Detailed explanations are available on sciencegallery.com/events/2012/08/free-workshops-makeshop-science-gallery and even more information about this interesting project will soon be here shop.sciencegallery.com/makeshop (currently the pages are still empty!)

The 6th Northside Music Festival will take place from 06-26 August. It has a much more varied programme this year than in previous years, which is great. Admission to all events is free. Some workshops require pre-booking, so have a look at the full brochure to check if you need to book.

The final event of this year’s Northside Music Festival coincides with the Tall Ship Race and will therefore take place at George’s Dock:
+ Sun 26 Aug (11:00-14:00): World Music with Harry J & The Conspiracy, Dublin Gospel Choir, Craiceann at The Tall Ships Races, George’s Dock Stage, IFSC, Dublin 1

An exhibition of the work by members of the Irish Model Boat Club, featuring mini Tall Ships, RNLI Lifeboats and a 16ft model of Titanic. Demonstrations of radio controlled model boats take place at 13:00 each day (Sat+Sun).
A Model Boat Building Workshop will take place from 12:00 each day (Sat+Sun). Children from 7 years are invited (but must be accompanied by an adult). At the workshop you will learn how to build your own model boat with the assistance of the Irish Model Boat Club members. Limited places, booking advisable via 01-6777510.

The Ferocious Mingle Market takes place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. On Sunday it is a fancy dress market. It’s a flea-market type permanent market with stalls and “chalets” for traders. The Oscar Verne Café and (at least at the weekends) live music adds even more character.

The location of the new indoor market is 72 Thomas Street (between the Vicar St venue & Cafe Notto) an opening hours are 11:00-18:00. There is also a Café, the Oscar Verne Café, open for business at the market.

Niamh from Puca puppets invites you to meet Mary Mary who is looking for help in finding clues co create and draw stories. Suitable for 6-10 year olds and their families. Admission is free, but places are limited and booking is advised on 01 677 75 10. (All children must be accompanied by adult.) The event is repeated at 11:00 and 14:00 from Friday until Sunday.

The RDS Serpentine Hall will be the home of the Which Course Expo over this weekend (Sat+Sun). It is Dublin’s largest Course fair and admission is free. About 57 course providers (from business to aromatherapy) will exhibit and offer information and a number of free seminars. Find all details on the website.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

At the Blackrock Market in the centre of Blackrock, you’ll find 50 stalls selling collectibles, antiques, handmade goods, books, food & there’s free popcorn, ballons & facepainting for the kids.
Open on Sundays: 12:00-17:30. Open on Saturdays and Bank Holidays: 11:00-17:30.

An indoor market in Coolock with over 40 traders with a wide range of goods and a café on site as well.

Brasserie Sixty6 is inviting to a Jazz Brunch every Sunday. The line-up for the next few Sundays is 26 Aug: Cormac McCann, 02 Sept: Raimonda Masiulyte, 09 Sept: Cormac McCann, 16 Sept: Michael McLennan, 23 Sept: Gavin McCaffrey, 30 Sept: Michael McLennan. As you can imagine food and drinks are not free, but there is no cover or admission charge for the music.

Alive-O Productions presents The Gateway, a mystical outdoor theatrical show for all the family at Cabinteely Park. (Meet at the bridge by the dog run in Cabinteely Park.)
The final show will be performed on 26 August. Meet at 12:20 and the show has a duration of 45 minutes. Admission is free and it is suitable for all ages. I went to the performance a few weeks ago and it is well done and perfectly suitable for children.
See more at: www.visitdublin.com/pdf/DLRSUMMEROFHERITAGE2012.pdf and on the Facebook page.

Celebrations will continue in Blackrock on 26 Aug: Festival-goers will enjoy free live entertainment, music and giveaways as Blackrock hosts its third Blackrock Family Festival.
With Blackrock Main Street closed to traffic, the town will come alive with lots of exciting activities including food stalls and street performers, free children’s hairdressing, free nail painting, face painting and balloons.
The Festival’s main stage will be the hub for great music and entertainment acts with the following line-up and schedule:
13:00 Mixed Feelings
13:45 Custard Pie Puppet Theatre
14:15 Sharon Crosbie
15:00 Paddy Cole + band
15:45 Custard Pie Puppet Theatre
16:15 Paddy Cole + band
16:45 Dublin Youth Dance Company
17:15 The FitzaFrenic

Dalkey in South County Dublin is the venue of the Dalkey Lobster Fest 2012. You will find a fusion of local seafood and the best of current jazz musicians with fun events for the family. The festival starts on Friday and continues until Sunday. A whole range of festival events are not free, but a large amount of Live Music Events are completely free and sound very very interesting. A programme is posted on the I Love Dalkey website at www.ilovedalkey.com/news-archive/news/dalkey-lobster-jazz-fest-programme-2012 but depending on your computer configuration, this is virtually unreadable, so I created a PDF that is best readable at 125% zoom level and you can find it here www.dublineventguide.com/media/DalkeyLobsterFest2012.pdf
A selection of free events is (A whole range of Cookery Demonstrations (possibly not free) will take place as well):

Fri 24 Aug
13:00 Guided historical walk (free)
13:00-17:00 Jazz Buskers on the streets of Dalkey
16:00-01:00 Jazz in eight pubs of Dalkey (six of them are free). List of performers on event schedule as listed above
Sat 25 Aug
11:00-15:00 Jazz Buskers on the streets of Dalkey
13:00 Guided Historical Walk (free)
13:00 + 15:00 Mad Hatter Magic Show in Writers’ Corner
14:00 Jazzy Drumming Workshop in Writers’ Corner
16:00-00:00 Jazz in seven pubs in Dalkey (six of them are free). List of performers on event schedule as listed above
Sun26 Aug
11:00-17:00 Jazz Buskers on the streets of Dalkey
14:00-22:30 Jazz in five pubs in Dalkey and on an outdoor stage (Camembert Quartet on Church Carpark)

www.facebook.com/DalkeyLobsterFest

During the Tall Ship Festival a few free introductory sports classes will take place in the CHQ Building:
Sat 25 Aug: 11:00-12:30 Yoga Hatha Workshop with Marie Moran
Sat 25 Aug: 13:00-14:30 Kettle Bell Boot camp
Sun 26 Aug: 13:00-17:00 Neuro muscular therapy assessment and treatment

The IFI continues with its free Archive at Lunchtime screenings in August and is extending them to daily screenings now. The films are short films from the Irish Film Archive. There are two programmes on alternating days www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-1-aug-2012/ and www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-2-aug-2012 and a double bill on Saturdays www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-double-bill-discovering-ireland-amharc-eireann-eagran-16-23-blackwater-holiday/ Admission to all lunchtime screenings is free, just collect your ticket at the ticket desk.

In 1934 a campaign against Jazz music in Ireland was busy fighting against this terrible foreign noise and the organisers of this event, the Improvised Music Company, cleverly picked it up as a theme for their festival. Down with Jazz” is a 3-day Jazz Festival on Meeting House Square in Temple Bar and it is all free (but ticketed).

The line-up on Friday is The Swoo–Beh Project, Freefall, 3G, Jaime Nancy & The Blue Boys, Oko

On Saturday (from 19:30) the performers are Leafzang, Phisqa, Freefall, Christine Tobin, Umbra, Mixtapes from the Underground.
On Sunday (14:00-20:00) the line-up is Rhombus, Redivider, Buckley Standard Time, Sweeney’s Jazzmen, Max Zazka’s Groove, Hot House Big Band.

All tickets have been snapped up, so it is “sold” out. However, with sooo many events taking place this weekend and because possibly some people might either just come to Down with Jazz for a while or might have other plans, I expect that there is a possibility that even without a ticket you can get access. It is difficult to run an event like that: On one hand you can’t hand out more tickets than there is room, on the other hand you can’t ensure that all people will come and will stay. My recommendation? If you are passionate about the event but couldn’t get a ticket, give it a go. Go to the Meeting House Square and hope for the best. But importantly, don’t get upset if you can’t get in. There is a chance but no guarantee. The organisers are trying their best to find a good solution for everyone, but it is the first year for this festival so there is no experience with it yet.

The Drogheda Brass Band is performing on the bandstand in the gardens of Farmleigh House.

The “Dublin Sketchers” is an informal group of typically hobby artists who go somewhere different in Dublin every Sunday (e.g. National Museum, Maritime Museum, Dublin Flea Market, Farmleigh, Botanic Gardens, Dublin Castle), sketch for one to two hours and then meet up for coffee afterwards and discuss their sketches. There are some hugely talented people among them and it is a great idea to meet up with others who have the same hobby. Find out on their website where they will meet and join them if you do some sketching/drawing yourself. I know that the Dublin Sketchers often use the Dublin Event Guide to find interesting free events and I am delighted to be able to help!

Afternoon Jazz in Café en Seine. The Stella Bass Jazz Trio play every Sunday from 14:00-16:00 in Café en Seine in Dawson Street. Admission is free. A video is here www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8aKqtOB5S8

Come to the Family Drawing Sundays in the RHA. All children are welcome to use the RHA Art Cart, in the RHA Atrium. Admission is free. For further information, contact Ruth Carroll on 01 6612558 or via ruth@rhagallery.ie

At this Heritage Week event, visitors will be guided through the rooms of this Victorian Hall – home of the headquarters of Irish Freemasonry since 1869.

Friends of mine have doen this tour at previous culture nights and were facinated by it, so try to make it to that tour!

Come for a walk through the Botanic Gardens’ plant collections and discover the many rare and old trees that grow in the National Botanic Gardens. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centr.

Unlike the three branches of the National Museum, the National Print Museum is normally not free, but every Sunday there is a free public tour for the next few weeks. Every visit begins with a short audio-visual presentation where the audience can observe active retired printers providing practical demonstrations of machines from the Museum’s collection.

The Darklight Festival, will present a programme for children aged 7-17, including a Stop Motion Animation workshop from acclaimed director Fergal Brennan, a create your own animation character workshop, as well as animation screenings. For more information visit www.darklight.ie or telephone 01 445 64 83. While seemingly all adult events at the Darklight Festival this weekend are not free, all children workshops/events are free.

As part of the Kilmainham Arts Festival there is a bonus Inn Jokes comedy event on Sunday. Starring Colm O’Regan and Joe Rooney.

Saucy Sundays is a weekly free live music afternoon and evening in the Grand Social. This week’s line up is Sixteen Layers, Trap Door, The Souterrain, Derek Ellard, The Getup, The Electors, Hazel Jade Rogers, Marzane Meets Crocodile.

Every Sunday a band will play from 21:00-22:30, a Latin Beat Club, Brazilian DJs and Salsa Classes (from 18:00) are additional features. Admission is free.

Champagne Animal will perform in the Workman’s Club and admission is free.

A very very long description of the band on the Workman’s Club website full of interesting but unhelpful claims can possibly be boiled down to “they play indie soul and sound unique, but very much like many others”. ;-)

The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy downstairs in Stag’s Head, Dame Lane from 21:00 every week on Sun+Mon. Every week different comedians entertain and on top of that there is some free ice cream. This Sunday’s line up is George Fox as the headliner and more guests to support.

Rogério from the Brazilian dance project “Forró de Lampião” in Dublin tells me: Forró de Lampião is Brazilian music that has the same roots as Samba and there is a whole culture that has developed around “forro”. Every Sunday, free dance classes take place in Sweeney’s Bar on Dame Street and if you are interested, just turn up one Sunday.

Jaime Nanci & The Blue Boys are playing a weekly gig in Whelan’s Front Bar on Sundays. Their music is swing, blues, bebop and doo wop. Admission is free. www.whelanslive.com

“Rhythm Rocker at The Globe” is a weekly event on Sunday night in The Globe in Sth Great Georges Street, Dublin 2. It is a Rockabilly, R’n’R, Roots night with alternating (week by week) live bands Pavement Kings, Donna & The Sazzy Catz, The Mosquitoes and The Pacifics from 21:00 and with DJs from 23:00-01:30. Admission is free.

The weekly Sunday Roast is an event in the Mercantile where live music is combined with free roast potatoes. The next Sunday Roast line up is Permanent Deja Vu, Bloody Mondays, Appian Way, Sweet Little Lies, Marx Men.

Every Sunday (except at Bank Holiday weekends), the Ragtime, Roots and Country Blues Band “Cool Hand Dukes” play in the Porterhouse near Grafton Street.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

A long list of Family History workshops will take place at the National Library in August. The workshops start at 13:00 and will last approximately 20 minutes. No booking required. Seats are on a first come, first served basis. Because there are so many and because they are soo short, you might have to plan well ahead, for that reason I list them all here, but won’t list them on every day they take place but only on Monday and Friday.

The remaining workshops are

+ Fri 24 Aug: “National Archives of Ireland, sources online” with Catriona Crowe, National Archives
+ Mon 27 Aug: “A thousand years of Irish genealogy: how to use Gaelic pedigrees and family trees in your research” with Prof. Nollaig Ó Muraíle, NUIG
+ Tues 28 Aug: “The Registry of Deeds – records to trace your family history” with Mary Beglan, Genealogist
+ Wed 29 Aug: “Records for children in Care (pre-1952 adoptions)” with Fiona Fitzsimons, Eneclann

The IFI continues with its free Archive at Lunchtime screenings in August and is extending them to daily screenings now. The films are short films from the Irish Film Archive. There are two programmes on alternating days www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-1-aug-2012/ and www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-2-aug-2012 and a double bill on Saturdays www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-double-bill-discovering-ireland-amharc-eireann-eagran-16-23-blackwater-holiday/ Admission to all lunchtime screenings is free, just collect your ticket at the ticket desk.

Need to wind down after a tiring week? Free Sahaja Yoga Meditation (not physical yoga, but “yoga meditation”!) classes every Monday from 19:00 in Blakestown Community Resource Centre (next to Lidl).

This is a drop in class, with newcomers are welcome.

The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy event every Sunday and Monday. Every week different comedians entertain and on top of good comedy you will get free ice cream. Admission is free. This Monday’s line up is Aidan Bishop & Aidan Greene and with support from Ken Rogan & Terry O’Neill.

Every Monday, a mix of musicians from bands like The Seven Deadly Skins / Animal Cracker / Upbeat Generation / Crete Boom & more come together to play a free night of Rock & Reggae.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

A long list of Family History workshops will take place at the National Library in August. The workshops start at 13:00 and will last approximately 20 minutes. No booking required. Seats are on a first come, first served basis. Because there are so many and because they are soo short, you might have to plan well ahead, for that reason I list them all here, but won’t list them on every day they take place but only on Monday and Friday.

The remaining workshops are

+ Fri 24 Aug: “National Archives of Ireland, sources online” with Catriona Crowe, National Archives
+ Mon 27 Aug: “A thousand years of Irish genealogy: how to use Gaelic pedigrees and family trees in your research” with Prof. Nollaig Ó Muraíle, NUIG
+ Tues 28 Aug: “The Registry of Deeds – records to trace your family history” with Mary Beglan, Genealogist
+ Wed 29 Aug: “Records for children in Care (pre-1952 adoptions)” with Fiona Fitzsimons, Eneclann

The IFI continues with its free Archive at Lunchtime screenings in August and is extending them to daily screenings now. The films are short films from the Irish Film Archive. There are two programmes on alternating days www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-1-aug-2012/ and www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-2-aug-2012 and a double bill on Saturdays www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-double-bill-discovering-ireland-amharc-eireann-eagran-16-23-blackwater-holiday/ Admission to all lunchtime screenings is free, just collect your ticket at the ticket desk.

Open Mic Night with The Last Tycoons in O’Donoghue’s on Suffolk Street every Tues from 20:00. It’s free and anyone can get up, sing a song or do whatever they like.

The new weekly “Grand Folk Club” will feaure Trad, Ballads, Americana, Folk, World Music & More. This Tuesday, the line-up is: Johnny Moynihan (Ex Planxty) playing Folk. Admission is free.

White Chocolate is playing Rock Covers from 23:30 in The Mezz in Temple Bar.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

A long list of Family History workshops will take place at the National Library in August. The workshops start at 13:00 and will last approximately 20 minutes. No booking required. Seats are on a first come, first served basis. Because there are so many and because they are soo short, you might have to plan well ahead, for that reason I list them all here, but won’t list them on every day they take place but only on Monday and Friday.

The remaining workshops are

+ Fri 24 Aug: “National Archives of Ireland, sources online” with Catriona Crowe, National Archives
+ Mon 27 Aug: “A thousand years of Irish genealogy: how to use Gaelic pedigrees and family trees in your research” with Prof. Nollaig Ó Muraíle, NUIG
+ Tues 28 Aug: “The Registry of Deeds – records to trace your family history” with Mary Beglan, Genealogist
+ Wed 29 Aug: “Records for children in Care (pre-1952 adoptions)” with Fiona Fitzsimons, Eneclann

The Career Direction and Development Programme of the Dublin City Libraries will continue with a career talk entitled “Make the Right Move – Getting a Job and Getting the Ideal Job” by Pat Shortt from ETC Consult. Admission is free. Booking is recommended via 01-8733996

The IFI continues with its free Archive at Lunchtime screenings in August and is extending them to daily screenings now. The films are short films from the Irish Film Archive. There are two programmes on alternating days www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-1-aug-2012/ and www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-2-aug-2012 and a double bill on Saturdays www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-double-bill-discovering-ireland-amharc-eireann-eagran-16-23-blackwater-holiday/ Admission to all lunchtime screenings is free, just collect your ticket at the ticket desk.

The “Havana International Language Exchange” is taking place every Wed from 16:30-19:30 in Havana Tapas Bar in George’s Street. There are many Spanish speakers and English-speakers are explicitly invited, but everyone else is certainly very welcome too, to meet for a chat to improve your Spanish or English.

The 4 Dame Lane Movie Club will feature a movie every Wednesday from 20:00. The upcoming movies are: 22 Aug: The Colour Purple, 05 Sept: Back to the Future 2.Admission is free.

There is no movie club this week! The next Movie Club will be on 05 Sept.

“The Song Room” is another open mic event. It takes place in The Globe in George’s Street at 20:30 every Wednesday.

“The Zodiac Sessions” is a regular open mic event from 20:30 in Bruxelles (between Grafton Street and Westbury Hotel) for unsigned musicians. Admission is free and there is a different line-up every week.

Bad Boy Jake, a band from Dublin that draws influences from all over the music spectrum including Rory Gallagher, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, Deep Purple, blues rock and classic rock, is playing every Wednesday in Mother Reilly’s.

Traditional Irish Music Session in Hedigan’s (The Brian Boru) in Phibsborough from 21:30 every Wednesday. If you play an instrument you are especially welcome (all levels are welcome).

“The Future of Energy: Dreams and Responsibilities”
Join energy experts from around the world when they discuss the future of energy – clean fossil fuels, next-generation solar applications, and other renewable energy solutions – from current systems to promising technologies, as well as the responsibilities that accompany the development and use of such new knowledge.

Speakers include:
Charles F. Bolden Jr. – Administrator at NASA
Mark Ferguson, Director General of SFI
Pat Rabbitte – Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources

Lunch will be provided to event attendees. The Future of Energy is sponsored by The University of Notre Dame and Science Gallery. Admission is free and everybody is welcome, but pre-booking is required.

Find out more and register at www.engineering.nd.edu/futureofenergy

The Ferocious Mingle Market takes place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. On Sunday it is a fancy dress market. It’s a flea-market type permanent market with stalls and “chalets” for traders. The Oscar Verne Café and (at least at the weekends) live music adds even more character.

The location of the new indoor market is 72 Thomas Street (between the Vicar St venue & Cafe Notto) an opening hours are 11:00-18:00. There is also a Café, the Oscar Verne Café, open for business at the market.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

The Dublin Food Co-op is open every Thursday at Newmarket for organic wholefoods and sustainable household products, plus over a dozen producer stalls offering organic fruit and veg., baked goods, dairy produce, wines, hot and cold food, etc.
The Co-op is also opened on Saturdays 09:30 – 16:30. 12:00-20:00.

Lunchtime Market at Christ Church Cathedral from 12:00-15:00.

The IFI continues with its free Archive at Lunchtime screenings in August and is extending them to daily screenings now. The films are short films from the Irish Film Archive. There are two programmes on alternating days www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-1-aug-2012/ and www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-2-aug-2012 and a double bill on Saturdays www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-double-bill-discovering-ireland-amharc-eireann-eagran-16-23-blackwater-holiday/ Admission to all lunchtime screenings is free, just collect your ticket at the ticket desk.

The second Lunch Beat event in Dublin will take place this week in Lafayette near O’Connell Bridge. Lunch Beat is an hour of dancing in your lunchtime and it is an event that is inspired by the international Lunch Beat movement. Nice central location. That should work! Admission is free.

A Lunchtime Recital by Musici Ireland (Fionnuala Moynihan (piano), Conor Sheil (clarinet), Beth McNinch (viola)) will take place in St. Ann’s Church with works from Field, Chopin and Mozart. Admission is free. Donations are welcome.

A Volunteer Recruitment Fair takes place on Thursday on Meeting House Square. The fair is an opportunity to meet with 40 organisations from different sectors of the charity world and learn more about what they do and the volunteer opportunities they have available for you. The fair will additionally feature entertainment and food vendors. Admission is free.

Dimestore Recordings run a weekly event in Sweeney Mongrel’s, Dame Street (formerly Le Cirk) with a variety of bands and performers. It starts at 20:00, follow the link for the line up.

Songs from a Café is a Dublin singer-songwriter showcase session, dedicated to the art of contemporary songwriting. 20:00-22:00 at Brick Alley Cafe in Temple Bar.

Jaime Nanci & The Blue Boys are playing a weekly gig in the Mercantile Hotel on Thursdays. Their music is swing, blues, bebop and doo wop. Admission is free.

The Max Zaska group and the Patrick Groenland group will perform on alternating Thursdays from 21:00 in the International Bar on 23 Wicklow Street.

A series of live events showcasing some of the best in Irish music, taking place every Thursday night at the Hard Rock Café, Temple Bar.
Thurs 30: Empty Lungs & Rachel Boyd (Eleven Eleven)

“Thirsty Thursday” Open Mic Night from 21:00 in the Bridge Inn in Chapelizod Village.

The next Cabin Sessions is taking place in Dundrum. The McGrane Family with Cathy McEvoy (Fiddle) Con Butler (bass) Gerry Fitzpatrick (Dobro). Special Guests Billy Byrne & Kevin Cray (Folk), Alan Begley & Joe Ryan (Americana), Emma Butler & Aisling McCarthy (Contemporary)

Every Thursday “Left Right & Centre” play a mix of blues & soul with a bit of rock&roll.

The Bionic Rats play live Reggae and Ska every Thursday in Turk’s Head from 22:00. Admission is free.

John Connolly’s thriller “The Wrath of Angels” is being launched in the Gutter Bookshop. Admission is free.

“The Cold 100”, a band that I am trying to hear for months and never managed to get to, will perform in Whelan’s on Friday in “The Midnight Hour”. So the gig will start at midnight, but it will only be free if you are there before 22:30.