Events & Festivals in June & July 2009

Dust down the spray tan and give those legs an airing. Summer events are bursting out all across the city - and we suggest you do the same (within reason, of course). Here's a selection of what's on offer. 

JUNE
Mon 1 June – City Centre
Flora Women’s Mini Marathon 2009 is being held on the Bank Holiday Monday so some roads around the city may be closed. Course maps and entry guidelines are available from www.womensminimarathon.ie.

Sat 13 - Tues 16 June – Citywide
Bloomsday Festival celebrates James Joyce's weighty Dublin tome Ulysses. Watch Dubliners dressed in period costume cycle around the city ringing their bells. Check out our Bloomsday Festival 2009 for more info on this unique event.

Thurs 11 - Sun 14 June – Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2
Taste of Dublin Festival 2009 - A tasty Food and Drink Festival taking place in the idyllic Iveagh Gardens behind the National Concert Hall. 

Thurs 18 - Sun 21 June – Merrion Sq, Dublin 2
The AIB Street Performance World Championship – Audiences at this free festival are asked to judge between 31 world-class performers as they battle it out for the title of World Champion. Over 200 shows include sword swallowers, contortionists, aerial acts, magicians and human fountains. You too can get involved at the event's interactive workshops.

Fri 19 - Sun 28 June - City Centre
Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival 2009 – This year's festival theme is 'Pride and Prejudice' and encompasses the annual Dublin Pride Parade on Sat 27 June, which starts at 14:00 from Parnell Sq, North. The event culminates on 28th June with a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. For a full list of events and volunteer forms visit www.dublinpride.org.

Sat 20 - Sun 21 June, Temple Bar,  Dublin 2.
Midsummer Magic - see Temple Bar as never before with the landscape transformed into a meadow. Late night fire shows are there to wow the crowds at night. Daytime activities include street performers and picnics in the city.

Tues 26 June - Sat 25 Aug - Gaiety Theatre, Dublin 2.
Riverdance -  probably the most famous stage production to come out of Ireland, Riverdance returns to the Gaiety for the summer. Despite going for thirteen years, the jigs and reels show shows no sign of fading. For booking info go to  www.ticketmaster.ie.

Sun 31 May - Sun 28 June - Lambert Puppet Theatre, Dun Laoghaire
Lambert Puppet Theatre presents Little Red Riding-Hood puppet production with lots of audience participation. Performances every Sat and Sun at 15:30. For more details and to book tickets tel. 280 0974.

JULY
Wed 1 - Sun 5 July – Citywide
Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland – Now in its sixth year, this festival highlights the guitar in classical, jazz, folk and world music. This wonderful four-day event offers the public an opportunity to take part in masterclasses and workshops with some of the best artists in the industry, and for those who prefer to appreciate the artists' talents from afar, why not take in a show or two. For more info tel. 059 914 6287, www.gfi.ie.

Thur 9 – Sun 12 July, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Dublin Circus Festival – Roll up, roll up for an outdoor extravanganza for all the family. This four-day festival bursts with street theatre, local and international circus performances, workshops, interactive activities and family events.

Fri 10 - Sun 12 July -  Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co. Kildare
Oxegen – Kings of Leon and Blur are just two of the big name bands headlining this year's festival.  And with many more hit-artists, this promises to be one of the music highlights of the year. For a full list of performers and ticket prices go on-line and book early as it's usually one of the summer's fastest selling events. Check out this year's impressive line-up at www.oxegen.ie.

Sat 18 - Sun 19 July - St. Anne's Park & Rose Gardens, Raheny, Dublin 5
Rose Festival 2009 – This free event is a big hit with families and anyone interested in horticulture. Enjoy guided tours around this internationally renowned Rose Garden, and immerse yourself in competitions, workshops and markets all with an enchanting rose theme.

Thur 23 - Sun 26 July  - Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2
Carlsberg Comedy Carnival –  Over 65 international comedy acts will be entertaining us during this four day festival. Irish acts include Andrew Maxwell, Des Bishop, David O’Doherty, Maeve Higgins and Ardal O’Hanlon. The shows will be performed in four fully-seated, purpose-built venues, including the Carlsberg Comedy Carousel, Magic Mirrors Palace and Spiegeltent, which is being shipped in from Belgium (of all places).