Our Top picks for this Bank Holiday Weekend

Well hello there everyone!

Shel here! It’s with a smidge of heartache I write this entire post from scratch AGAIN!!

Valuable writing lessons learned :( before anyone says anything, Yes I saved a million times and believe me the only thing I didn't do was crawl into the matrix and have a root around to try recover it… 

Not like me to be dramatic but actually felt like…

Anyways… Hands up who is excited about the Bank Holiday Weekend?? The August long weekend is another one of my favourites, ha, yes I am aware everything I have said so far has been my absolute favourite! But let me tell you why... as a long standing tradition I book the week after the BH off work because... it’s my BIRTHDAY! Yipeeee

So myself and Rachel were totally on the same page and we both have next week booked off! Brain twins!

So, have you got your weekend sorted yet?
There are actually so many events on over the weekend it can almost be a little bit overwhelming, and if you are like me, I dread missing out and suffering a mega case of FOMO when I see what everyone else got up to :P

So we already have our weekend plans firmly locked down, we are going to Beatyard Festival on Saturday for some music, food and fun. Bananarama  here we come :) :) :) Bring. It. On

Now I’m not going to list everything on this weekend, just my top picks of cool events I have spotted

1.  Beatyard (Dublin)

Obviously number 1 selection since we are going Saturday :)

I am beyond excited, I have never been before and check out the actual location of the fest:

I thought it was in Peoples Park, but its actually right on the water! 

So Beatyard is a mix of Music and Food :) I may just set up camp in Tippletown at the Gin Bar.

We will be posting Insta Stories on Saturday if you want a little peek of how it’s all going down. As far as I can see there are still tickets available

Some details on the fest but check out the full line up here:

Beatyard Festival is back on Aug 5&6th 2017
Beatyard - 80+ music acts & performers
Eatyard - 100+ food vendors, demos, food competitions, cooks and stands
Brewtonic Carnivale - 20 craft beers
Tippletown - 10 cocktail & wine bars
The Back Page Gamesyard - Ping Pong Arena & Arcade
Banteryard - arts & discussion
Studioyard - design, tech, flea market, demos, activities
Boatyard - nautical boogie on the water
Kidsyard - fun, frolics and festivities

2. Enniscorthy Rockin Food Festival (Wexford)

If I didn’t have my Saturday planned I reckon this would have been the top slot

Now we might try pop down on Sunday possibly – let’s see how the heads and energy levels on the day :) Let’s hope for a 2nd wind :)

This looks unreal - and there are loads of Free events on!

Festival goers can look forward to Free Live Music and Artisan Food, Craft and Beer Markets illuminating the streets this Summer, as well as our brand-new Food Marquee scheduled with plenty of free demos and guest speakers. The town will be bustling with Food and Drink Trails, Cookery Demos, local producers, Rock ‘n’ Roll Gigs, Buddy Holly Show and loads of Family fun. Not to mention the Rebel Parade, Battle Re-enactment and Ancient East Story Telling showcasing Enniscorthy’s monumental history and a FREE Art Exhibition in the Enniscorthy Presentation Centre.

Food Trails – What’s On - Check out this link, there is a full mix from Tapas, Gin, Whiskey, Wine, Street Food, Afternoon Tea and some more Gin and Whiskey again, so literally something for everyone whether you’re out with the family or leaving the kids and car at home :)

However there are lots of activities on the Food Trail that you need to book tickets for so make sure to check that out

3. Ireland Festival of Nations (Dublin, Mountjoy Square)

Floating around Dublin for the weekend? Looking for a free event?

This looks like it could be a fantastic family fun day out:

A Free to attend multicultural festival!
Includes music, food, face-painting, traditional costume competition for kids, Poertry, dance workshops, parade of nations, games and lots of other exciting activities and performances are all expected to take place at this inaugural celebration of one of Ireland’s most spectacular and diverse festivals representing a Global Cultural Integration.
We invite you to bring the whole family for a day out that they won’t forget in a hurry.

I grabbed the below agenda off their Facebook page:

4. Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival (Offaly)

Now the great part about this event is it’s on for the full week! There is far too much to list so you can download their programme for the full list of all activities here:

I might try pop along next week on one of my days off :)

Here is a quick summary from their website of what to expect:

Turn back time in the beautiful Georgian heritage town of Birr and revel in its contemporary culture with a dynamic range of vintage and modern events for all ages during the 49th Annual Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival.

The all-inclusive programme includes the fantastic opening parade with its display of vintage, equestrian and community entries; artisan and craft market; the Ormand Flying Club's Annual Fly-In and display; the Olde Time Traditional Fair; busking competition; free children's events; antiques and fine art fair; live music; sporting and literary events; nightly pub entertainment; and a spectacular fireworks display which will illuminate the skies above the town.

5. Spraoi (Waterford)

Full programme PDFavailable here

 Spraoi Festival has become something of an August Bank Holiday institution. For three days, the city devotes itself to a variety of street art and spectacle, featuring hundreds of performers, live music, and an array of new street theatre - Irish and international.

I think the main reason I have Spraoi listed is I spotted King Kong Company on the line up, they are playing at 5.30 on Saturday – I HIGHLY recommend to check them out – warning – they are LOUD! :)

6. Dublin Blues, Roots and Brass Festival (Dublin, Whelans)

So have you been reading so far thinking blah, blah, whatever, I don’t really care about family events, I want BEER AND MUSIC and some atmosphere, well I always think that's what Whelan’s does best!!

This could be right up your street - and bonus points for being FREE!

Check out the full line up here

The Dublin Blues, Roots and Brass Festival returns for its 3rd year, bringing some of the best and most unique acts from around the country to perform at this free festival, August bank holiday weekend: August 4th – August 6th.
The Dublin Blues, Roots and Brass Festival is an annual event happening in Whelan’s, on Wexford Street, Dublin 2 in the Camden Quarter district of the city. This year’s festival is supported by the good people in Failte Ireland, the music enthusiasts at O’Hara’s Irish craft brewery, and IMRO, the back bone of Irish music makers.

7. The Great Gin Fair (House, Dublin 2)

Now did I save the best till last?? Possibly? But I don't think a weekend goes by without some sort of a Gin fair in Ireland - believe me, I am NOT complaining :) :)  So this is happening on Sunday so maybe you need to cure a case of The Fear h :)

And another added bonus of being another Free event!

A little summary on what to expect:

The Great Gin Fair at House Dublin *FREE ADMISSION*

Doors open from 12pm-8pm followed by a late bar.

Join us from midday on the August Bank Holiday Sunday as we transform House Dublin into a marvellous gin emporium. If you are new to gin you need not worry, as each of our wonderful pop-up bars will be manned by some of Irelands most talented bartenders, so you can rest assured they will point you in the right direction.

All of our gin pop-up bars will be operating with our very own currency called Junipers, you can purchase these in House on the day.

You can also enjoy live music and entertainment, including blind tastings and gin samplings.

So again, I’m not listing the Big Hitters like Indiependence or Castlepalooza or anything like that, these are just a few events that we had added to our list that look worth a visit!

Let me know what your plans are this weekend? Or if you do take a wander by any of these, let me know what you think?

And of course, lets all hope for a weekend of THIS: 

AND NOT THIS!!!!

P.S – Just a small note to say thanks to everyone for all of the love on Instagram and Twitter since we set this page up, it is really, really appreciated! You’re all great! :)

I hope everyone has a FANSTASTIC weekend, have a wander and have fun!

Shel and Rach x