Its May…yay!! Everyone knows this heralds the beginning of the Summer. With the upcoming bank holiday and predicted good weather (fingers crossed) It’s the perfect cocktail mix for a weekend spent with friends, family or that special someone.
If you’re looking for some date inspiration, whether it’s a 1st date or a date to reconnect, look no further. Us here at Two’s Company have trawled the listings and internet and found some fun things to do from festivals, theme parks to walks and workshops.
- Bray International Jazz Festival
Bray, Co Wicklow, Friday May 3 – Sunday 5
This year marks the 20th anniversary of this jazz festival and this year and the line-up boasts names including award winning jazz guitarist John Scofield, American pianist Fred Hersche. German cellist Anja Lechner and French Jazz pianist Francois Couturier also headline at the Mermaid Arts Centre.
- Riverfest
Limerick City, Friday May 3 – Sunday May 5
A great one for everyone, including water sport fans. The latter will enjoy Riverfest on the Shannon with kayaking, ziplining, water zorbing sessions and more. There will also be aerial dance shows, a BBQ competition, the Riverfestival village in Arthur’s Quay Park and the Bon Secours Great Limerick Run, and Fashion Friday with Celia Holman Lee. Spectacular fireworks will light up the sky on Sunday May 5 at 10.15pm.
- Kilkenny Roots Festival
Kilkenny City, Friday May 3 to Monday May 6.
In its 21st year, the Kilkenny Roots Festival has evolved to attract some of the biggest names in Americana/Roots and this year the line-up includes The Sadies, Jason Lytle, Erika Wennerstrom, I Draw Slow, Patty Griffin, Susto, The Accidentals, and more. Taking place at more than 30 venues across the medieval city, with more than 40 Irish and international acts, and some shows free, it’s a no-brainer for top class entertainment over the weekend.
- Festival of Fools
Belfast, May 3 to Monday May 6
The four day international street theatre festival is taking place in the centre of Belfast and features acts including Mr Dyvinetz, an extraordinary Cyr wheel artist, and Anita Bertolami’s Transiguro, which sees the artist use her own body as her main prop to create an array of characters.
- Slieve Bloom Walking Festival
From Friday May 3
This festival is celebrating 25 years, it’s offering a variety of walks from woodland walks to riverside walks and hills. There are the usual hikes from Clonaslee and Kinnitty but also some new walks including family friendly walks with alpacas, a photo walk with award winning photographer Paul Moore, and a Geological Odyssey in the Silver River with John Feehan. Local pubs will host entertainment and there’s a festival BBQ in Kinnitty on Sunday afternoon.
- Connemara Mussel Festival
Friday May 3 to Sunday May 5
It began as a celebration of the mussels of Killary Harbour 14 years ago but become a much more wide-ranging celebration of local people and culture with food at the heart. Friday kicks off with a concert with local musicians, poets, dancer and actors culminating in a play, The Blow In, by local director Tristan Heanue. On Saturday the kids can enjoy Agriaware Pet Farm and The ARC mobile classroom will be in situ across the weekend to raise awareness of aquaculture via screens, VR headsets and group activities. John O’Toole and Marguriette Heanue of Kylemore Abbey will host children’s cookery workshops and there are a host of other cookery demos, concerts, theatre, talks, walks and more for adults and children.
- Tayto Park
Co Meath
Tayto Park offers a great day out thanks to a theme park full of an array of rides and playgrounds to suit children of all ages. There is also quite a large zoo with mammals ranging from tigers to monkeys and birds and a farmyard section.
- Wild West Country Fest
Friday May 3 to Sunday May 5
The small village of Kilconly on the Wild Atlantic Way, about 35km north of Galway and 7km from Tuam, will host three nights of country music at the Big Red Barn. Headliners include Mike Denver, Derek Ryan, Streetwise, Johnny Brady and Michael English.
- Mayo Day
Co. Mayo, Saturday, May 4
It’s the fifth year of this special day celebrating the culture, communities and spirit of Mayo and it takes place at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough.
This should help with the date planning, there’s plenty to bring you and your date closer and have fun in the process. For those still looking for love, why not find out more information on our Dating and Matchmaking Services, on www.twoscompany.ie