Enjoy a week-long celebration of Ireland’s unique maritime heritage, set in the second-largest natural harbour in the world. Cork Harbour Festival 2017 takes place between Saturday 3 June and Sunday 11 June. Whether a visitor to the region or a native Corkonian, you’re invited to experience the spectacular fleet of boats taking part in Ocean to City. Taste from the seafood market, go crab fishing in Cobh, explore the many heritage sites, brave a guided ghostly trail, sail in the harbour or go for a kayak and discover Cork City. Now in its third year, the festival celebrates Cork Harbour as a natural and cultural resource, with the communities and their stories at the heart of it. There are plenty of free family events happening throughout the festival.
Immerse yourself in Vantastival 2017. A family friendly festival which takes place over the June bank holiday weekend. A host of live musical acts will perform over the weekend, while a focus on the campervan lifestyle brings an extra dimension to the only festival of its kind in Ireland. Other attractions include gourmet food stalls, festival traders, scheduled kids activities, art, craft and many other quirky additions, ensuring that Vantastival has something for everyone, with or without a campervan. For more information on the festival you can visit their website at www.vantastival.com.
Witness Ireland BikeFest Killarney 2017. Taking place over four days from Friday 2 June to Monday 5 June. This festival has evolved into a well-oiled machine attracting bike enthusiasts in their tens of thousands from all over the world. Ireland’s only free open biker festival, this three-day motorcycle and free music extravaganza takes place across the June bank holiday weekend. For further details call (064) 667 1544 or email info@irelandbikefest.com.
Spend a day at Bloom 2017. Running from Thursday 1 June to Monday 5 June. Bloom was launched by Bord Bia in 2007, primarily as a promotional vehicle for horticulture. Providing a showcase for garden plants, garden design, construction, horticulture and gardening as a hobby. Based on similar successful formats – such as the RHS Chelsea Flower Shows and RHS Hampton Court Palace shows – Bloom has numerous highly creative gardens and plant displays, which are used to inspire and excite the public about gardening and garden design. For more information call (01) 295 8181, email info@bloominthepark.com or visit their website at www.bloominthepark.com.
Experience the musical EVITA. Following its smash-hit run at London’s Dominion Theatre, Bill Kenwright’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s EVITA is set to thrill audiences once again at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Telling the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, EVITA follows Eva’s journey from humble beginnings through to iconic status. Please Note no under-threes will be admitted to the auditorium. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are €20. For details visit the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre website at bordgaisenergytheatre.ie.