With the sun currently reigning supreme above the city’s skyline, there’s a bumper weekend’s entertainment to be enjoyed in Dublin this Bank Holiday weekend. From a story forged in the early years of the Free State a hundred years ago, to three festivals, featuring seafood, literature, and booze, and a salubrious afternoon gig in one of the city’s favourite musical pubs, here are some great picks to help you make the most of your long weekend.
The Story of Us
A landmark exhibition coinciding with the recent historic release of the 1926 census records, The Story of Us at Dublin Castle explores what life was like a hundred years ago in towns and cities throughout the country.
From crowded urban tenements to the mansions of the aristocracy, the exhibits lift the lid on a world that seems very far removed from modern times.
Encountering contemporary documents and photographs, audio‑visual displays, and the census returns themselves, visitors can uncover stories of work and daily life, language and culture, sport and entertainment, religion, gender, and the social realities of a newly independent state.
Catch it now before Dublin Castle closes to the public for the EU Presidency from June 15th to the end of 2026.
10pm – 5pm Monday – Sunday | Dublin Castle | Free event – No booking required.
Oysters All The Way at The Purty Kitchen
A tasty seafood festival wrapped in sunshine over the course of a long weekend… It’s all going on over at The Purty Kitchen in Dun Laoghaire as they bring back their popular Oyster Festival for the June Bank Holiday weekend.
Festival goers can look forward to savouring freshly shucked oysters, downing refreshing cocktails and chilling out over the long weekend in one of south Dublin’s best outdoor spaces. Those oysters come dressed three ways – a punchy Bloody Mary dressing made with istil Vodka, a zingy dulse granita with Dingle Gin for those partial to something fancy and classic shallot mignonette for fans of old school oysters.
Sourced by George’s Fish Shop, oyster prices starting at €11 for three or at €36 for a full dozen. Tuck in from 3pm daily in the sun-trapped surroundings of The Courtyard.
The Oyster Festival takes place in The Courtyard of The Purty Kitchen, Dun Laoghaire from Friday May 29th to Sunday May 31st.
JLF Island of Ireland Festival
A celebration of pluralism, an invitation – and a challenge – to hear each other’s stories and to see the world, and this island, from another angle…
The inaugural edition of Jaipur Literature Festival (Island of Ireland), the international edition of the globally renowned Jaipur Literature Festival that takes place annually in the Pink City of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India makes its debut in Dublin this weekend.
Bringing together writers and thinkers across literature, history, food, politics and global affairs, the ambitious festival programme explores the connections between Ireland, India and the wider world through a diverse range of conversations and performances.
Having travelled from Belfast to Dublin, with stops in Armagh and Dundalk, big crowds are expected for this, and it’s not hard to see why, with a cracking speaker line-up that includes Sinéad Gleeson, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Darina Allen, Romy Gill, Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride.
Trinity College Dublin and St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, May 29th – 3st. Free and open to all.
Rumbunctious Rumbullion
Three whole days totally dedicated to our favourite tropical tipple in the heart of the city centre. What’s not to love?
With a menu featuring Caribbean and Brazilian inspired specials, rum takes centre stage, courtesy of the ever-inventive Wig-Wammers, who’ve devised a vast selection of activities including Salsa Dancing workshops, Masterclasses and Cocktail Making experiences throughout the weekend.
Other highlights include Tiki Bingo and 2 for 1 Piña Coladas all weekend. Totally tropical!
Friday, May 29th – Sun May 31st | All Day | Wigwam, Abbey Street | Tickets via Eventbrite.
Breathe and Let Go at The Cobblestone
Acclaimed vocalist and composer Laoise Leahy presents Breathe In & Let Go, a special summer afternoon concert with master pianist Johnny Taylor in the intimate Cobblestone venue.
The Cork native is best known for her rich, soulful tone and her instinctive, fearless approach to improvisation. Her music moves fluidly between jazz, soul, folk and contemporary sound worlds, guided by a deep curiosity about connection, presence and what it means to be human.
This performance sees her joined by her longtime collaborator Johnny Taylor on piano, bringing an intuitive musical chemistry and a shared sensitivity to space, texture and groove. Inspired by breath, nature, time and the inner rhythms of life, expect the set to unfold gently, always leaving room in the moment for the unexpected.
Breathe In & Let Gois an invitation to pause in the middle of the bank holiday weekend, to listen deeply, and allow the music to carry you for a while. This promises to be a shared transportive moment in one of Dublin’s most cherished live music spaces.
Laoise Leahy on Vocals, accompanied by Johnny Taylor on Piano, Live in The Back Room at The Cobblestone, 3.00pm, Sunday May 31st 2026.
Tickets from €7.80 are available here.
Words: Martina Murray
