Everything in nature is in full bloom, and Dublin's cultural diary reflects this, too. Indulge, embrace and enjoy everything the city has to offer this summer. 

June
Wed 1 - Thur 30: Designer Dublin 
Ireland has generated more than its share of world-class jewellery and fashion designers, so that makes Dublin a pretty appropriate place for this month-long event. Enjoy talks, workshops and showcases throughout the city with some of our most talented designers. Some events are filling up already, so book soon - and read more - at www.designerdublin.ie

Wed 1 - Mon 11: The Trinity College Dublin Shakespeare Festival
From lectures to master-classes to performances (indoor and out), this event will be a must for fans of the Bard. Expect performances of Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night among other classic works. Both Trinity College and the city of Dublin will be used as performance spaces. For more info make haste to www.dublinshakespeare.com.

Thur 2 - Mon 6: Bloom in the Park, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8.
Make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend and stroll through the superb gardens featured at Ireland’s answer to the Chelsea Flower Show. Experience the beauty of the flowers on show or, if food and cooking is more your thing, indulge in cookery demos from some of Ireland’s leading chefs. A free shuttle bus runs from Heuston Station to the show grounds. Visit www.bloominthepark.com or tel. (+353) (0)1 668 5155.

Fri 3 - Mon 6: Docklands Maritime Festival. George's Dock, North Wall Quay and City Quay.
Dublin’s dockland area comes to life with this celebration of all things nautical. The Jeanie Johnston, a replica of the Famine Ships, will be joined by tall ships from around the world. There’ll also be music, food, street entertainment and an outdoor market. More details can be found at www.dublindocklands.ie or tel. (+353) (0)1 818 3300.

Thur 9 - Sun 12: Taste of Dublin. The Iveagh Gardens, Harcourt St, Dublin 2.
Have a bitesize sample of Dublin’s great restaurants at this culinary gathering. Wine lovers can indulge in great selections from Irish suppliers and you can also pick up some cooking tips from Ireland’s top chefs who will be delivering daily cooking demos. Tickets €15 at www.tastefestivals.ie or tel. +353 (0)1 210 9290.

Mon 11 - Thur 16: Bloomsday
Follow in the footsteps of Leopold Bloom,Ulysses’ and James Joyce’s most renowned character. Each year Joyce fans don period costumes and cycle throughout the city. Join in the fun with readings and movies and indulge, as Bloom did, in a true Irish breakfast. This year the breakfast is taking place in the lovely (and suitably historical) Gresham Hotel on O’Connell Street, the setting of the final scene from Joyce’sThe Dead. Actors will perform key passages from Ulysses while you chow down on those kidneys. There’ll be walking tours, a cycling tour, performances in Stephen’s Green park (fingers crossed we’ll get the weather for it), numerous talks and more. Find out lots more at the James Joyce Centre (p.??). And for further info visit www.jamesjoyce.ie or tel. (+353) (0)1 878 8547.

Sun 12 - Sun 19: Music in Great Irish Houses Festival. Various locations. 
Experience performances from world-class international and Irish virtuosos amidst the surroundings of some of Ireland’s most beautiful historic residences and buildings. Details at www.musicgreatirishhouses.com or tel. (+353)(0)1 664 2822.

Thur 16 - Sun 19: AIB Street Performance World Championship, Merrion Square.
This free weekend event is great entertainment for all ages. Dancers, comedians, sword swallowers, magicians and contortionists from all over the planet gather to delight and shock in equal measure. Prepare to be amazed; we're big fans of this event. Details at www.spwc.ie.

Fri 17 - Sun 26: Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival, Various locations.
As always the festival that celebrates diversity promises a smorgasbord of entertainment. This year’s festival includes céilís, sports days, club nights, workshops, street festivals and more. The festival has expanded with a dedicated set of arts and cultural events including the 1st Pride Film Shorts competition, art exhibitions and a literary and poetry night. The flagship event, the Pride Parade, takes place Sat 25 June. Details at www.dublinpride.ie.

July
Fri 1 - Sun 31: Photolreland Festival, Various locations.
Exhibitions, talks and workshops are just some of highlights of this year's city-wide event. Budding shutterbugs will be able to get their work evaluated in the portfolio review sessions. Get the lowdown at www.photoireland.org.

Thur 7 - Sun 10: Oxegen, Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co. Kildare.
This weekend sees a mass exodus from the capital as music lovers of every variety head to this music and camping weekend. This year’s headline acts include Beyonce, Foo Fighters, Coldplay and Black Eyed Peas. Get the full line-up at www.oxegen.ie and buy tickets at the Ticketmaster Desk, Dublin Tourism, Suffolk St, tel. 0818 719 300 or www.ticketmaster.ie.

Fri 8 - Tue 12: Summer Sensational, Temple Bar.
Dublin’s cultural quarter is living up to its name with a weekend of artistic events to tickle every fancy. Theatre, music, street performances and film promise to delight and excite all you lucky tourists. Read up at www.templebar.ie or tel. (+353) (0)1 677 2255.

Fri 15 - Sun 24: Made in Temple Bar
Over one hundred artists and performers will descend on Dublin’s cultural mecca for this event, bringing you the best in music, film, arts and even trapeze. More details will be made available closer to the time, but tickets can be purchased (and free ones obtained) via the Temple Bar website at www.templebar.ie.

Thur 21 - Sun 24: Carlsberg Comedy Carnival, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2.
This festival offers much more than sixty Irish and international comedians, playing 44 shows at this verdant venue. Audiences will also be entertained by musicians and street performers - what larks. For more info visit www.carlsbergcomedy.com.

Sat 23 - Sun 31: Dublin Flamenco Festival
Organised by Dublin-based Peña Flamenca El Indalo, a non-profit organisation with a reputation for continually bringing the finest flamenco artists from Spain, this elegant extravaganza's line-up includes dance, music and song. Performances will be held in The Theatre at The Helix, DCU, with workshops, conferences and talks taking place in various venues around Dublin. For the full programme visit www.flamencoindalo.com.

August
Wed 3 - Sun 7: Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, RDS, Merrion Rd, Dublin 4.
A long-standing Dublin tradition, the Horse Show welcomes the best national and international show jumpers to this well-heeled (or should that be hoofed?) event. There’s a great festival atmosphere as thousands descend upon the venue for great summer entertainment. There's also live music, and you can indulge in a little shopping at the arts and crafts exhibitions. Blossom Hill Ladies Day on Thur 4 sees Dublin fillies arrive in all their finery. Hats at the ready. Visit www.dublinhorseshow.com or tel. (+353) (0)1 485 8010.

Sat 20 - Sun 28: National Heritage Week, Various locations.
As part of Europe's Heritage Days, cultural attractions nationwide, many of them not usually open to the public, will be home to a huge variety of cultural, creative and educational events - many of them free. Places to head to in the city include the National Museums, Dublin Castle, Merrion Square Open Day (Sat), Kilmainham Gaol and both Cathedrals. For a full list of what’s on where visit www.heritageweek.ie or tel. (+353) (0)56 777 0777.

And one for September
Sun 4 & Sun 18: GAA All Ireland Finals. Croke Park Stadium, St. Joseph Ave, Dublin 3.
Dublin will be draped with flags and bunting of the counties battling it out for the country's highest sporting honours. This is the climax of Ireland’s national sport, and a suitably festival atmosphere will permeate pubs as fans who haven't managed to nab a ticket congregate round the TV screens. The Hurling Final takes place on Sun 4 while the Gaelic Football Final will be hosted two weeks later on Sun 18. If Dublin makes it to the final you’ll need to get your seat early. For full details, go to www.gaa.ie.