With the weather on the up it looks like Irish Summer Time has finally arrived, with lots to enjoy across the city this Bank Holiday weekend. From photography, to jazz, poetry, a Mexican fiesta and the launch of the Culture Date with Dublin 8 Festival, here are some great picks to help you make the most of your long weekend.
Dublin Street Photography Festival
The Dublin Street Photography Festival (DSPF) returns for a third outing as it celebrates the wonderful world of street photography. Featuring a weekend jam packed with talks, workshops, photo-walks, and exhibitions, the programme includes ‘New York Visionaries’ featuring the work of three New York Photographers including images from the Louis Stettner Estate, Meryl Meisler and Phil Penman.
In addition to a series of keynote talks, the festival also includes guided photo-walks by international collectives exploring Dublin’s streets and an outdoor exhibition featuring top global photographers and competition finalists which runs throughout the month of May.
With a number of free and ticketed events taking place over the weekend, this one’s an absolute must for the city’s photography enthusiasts.
Saturday May 2nd and Sunday May 3rd | Charlemont Square, Dublin 2 |Free
Cinco de Mayo
It’s palomas all the way on Dublin’s Southside as Brickyard launches a specially extended ten day Cinco de Mayo festival, celebrating all things Mexican.
Running from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 10th, visitors to the Dundrum gastropub can look forward to sampling a spectacular array of dishes, including delicious Tacos, Carne Asada, Huevos Rancheros and more, alongside a special fiesta drinks menu balancing Mexican tradition with a dash of Irish flair. Their signature pour is a Moonshine Margarita, featuring smooth Mad March Hare Poitín, shaken with fresh lime and agave, with plenty of Palomas for those who prefer their cocktails slightly more fruity.
Speaking about the festival, Brickyard co-owner Erwin Pollard tells us that the Dundrum hot spot has always had a deep appreciation for Mexican cuisine and culture, especially the food which they regard as “inherently exciting and full of flavour.”
“After seeing how much our customers loved the energy last year, we decided to extend the festival to ten days this year, to give everyone a chance to join the fiesta.”
Andale!
Friday, May 1st – Sun May 10th | All Day | Brickyard Gastropub, Dundrum | Walk-ins only
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Culture Date With Dublin 8 – Paula Meehan in Conversation With Stephen James Smith | Imaginationism by Valerie Gannon | A Libertine Feast by Camilla Hanney
As the incredible Culture Date with Dublin 8 festival bursts into life on Monday May 4th, festival organisers have programmed an exciting first day with events covering the length and breadth of the historic Dublin neighbourhood.
First up, don’t miss a rare opportunity to catch acclaimed poet Paula Meehan in conversation with poet and performer Stephen James Smith, as together, they explore the role of poetry in mapping the city, as archive, as expression, and as a shared language of belonging.
This fascinating event exploring poetry, place and the living voice of the city sees the poetic duo reflecting on how memory, story and sound shape our understanding of place.
All in all, a great opportunity to hear two leading voices in Irish poetry reflect on craft, community and the enduring power of words to hold the spirit of a place. See ya there!
12pm Monday May 4th | The Deanery Mews, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Campus, Saint Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8, D08 RY2D. | Free event – booking required. Tickets and Details here.
Later on Bank Holiday Monday, the festival’s buzzy first day sees the opening of two terrific exhibitions.
Kiwi turned honorary Dubliner Brent Pope will be on hand to say a few words at the opening of Imaginationism by Valerie Gannon, an artist who’s work inhabits the everyday spaces of the Liberties, from Jack Roche’s fruit and veg shop, to Noel Fleming’s newsagents on Meath Street, and Oxfam on Francis Street.
Curated by Paul Duane, the show features paintings that combine world events, local Liberties landmarks, religious and political imagery, opera, music, and personal fears, as in the Pimlico resident’s many paintings of dogs.
Thanks to Noel Fleming who carefully kept the paintings stored for many years, these works will finally be seen in Valerie’s first exhibition. Drop in and enjoy!
Imaginationism by Valerie Gannon opens at 6pm on Monday May 4th and continues until Sunday May 10th, from 10am to 6pm at The old Books at One shop, 46/47 Meath Street, Dublin 8.
Also set to launch at 6pm on Monday May 4th is A Libertine Feast by Camilla Hanney, in essence a love letter to The Liberties by the ceramicist who is currently the Throwing Shapes artist in residence for Clay City.
Hanney takes a look at the area through a contemporary ceramic lens, where refinement and imperfection sit side by side, and history is transformed into something sensual, strange and deeply felt.
A Libertine Feast by Camilla Hanney can be seen at Tailors Hall, 8 Back Lane, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 X2A3
The Culture Date with Dublin 8 Festival will take place from Monday May 4th – Sunday May 10th. For details, see culturedatewithdublin8.ie
Bray International Jazz Festival
For those who fancy venturing further afield, the well-established Bray Jazz Festival returns to the seaside town of Bray this May Bank Holiday weekend, continuing to draw some of the finest international and homegrown jazz musicians.
Bray’s Mermaid Arts Centre will once more be the festival hub for this year’s festival, presenting day-time matinees on both Saturday and Sunday, and playing host to double-bill presentations each night.
Highlights include Cincinnati born Fred Hersch, one of the most decorated and influential pianists in jazz, Havana-based pianist and one time Buena Vista Social Club member Roberto Fonseca and veteran American trumpeter Eddie Henderson, who will present a centenary tribute to the legendary trumpeter Miles Davis at the Mermaid on Sunday night, 3rd May.
Other international guests set to play this year’s Bray International Jazz Festival include former UK jazz singer of the year Sara Dowling, in-demand young London trumpeter Poppy Daniels, Ukrainian harpist Alina Bzhezhinska’s Hip Harp Collective, Mongolian singer Enji, young Welsh star instrumentalist Cerys Hafana, French singer Leila Martial, and Cuban pianist and Blue Note records artist Harold Lopez Nussa.
As ever, the festival’s popular Fringe Programme sees local pubs, cafés, and restaurants hosting a myriad of free gigs, making jazz accessible to the wider community. Well worth a trip on the DART over the weekend.
May 1st – 3rd | Various venues around Bray
The Cookbook Club – Samba
The Cookbook Club returns for a Brazilian Feast to round things off nicely this May Bank Holiday Weekend. From page to plate, guests will experience a menu from SAMBA by Giselle Makinde, the newest release from Blasta Books.
Guests will receive a signed copy of SAMBA on the night, along with a four course family style menu. They also get to take part in a Q&A with author Giselle Makinde between courses exploring the inspiration, recipes and cultural influences behind the book. Let’s Samba!
Monday May 4th | Camerino Bakery, 24 Newtown Park A94 YW21 Blackrock.
Tickets and Details here.
Feature Image: Carina Hedlund
