The last bank holiday of the summer awaits. With hopes for good weather we are looking to get outside, here is what to do in Ireland this August bank holiday weekend …
GET CULTURED:
From printing to photography and perusing sculptures in pretty gardens, there’s plenty of visual inspiration on show this summer and Penny McCormick gathers a list of exhibitions to visit this bank holiday weekend.
At IMMA, there is a vibrant summer programme of free events that includes exhibitions, performances, screenings, talks, workshops, tours and more, taking place until the end of August. Two new exhibitions to check out include “Take a Breath” which provides an historical, social, political, and personal examination of breathing, and “When the body says Yes” an immersive video installation by Dutch artist Melanie Bonajo presented in IMMA’s 17th-century baroque chapel.
Another exhibition worth mentioning is the sculpture exhibition at The Montenotte, Co Cork. In collaboration with The Kildare Gallery, this year’s sculpture exhibition in the pretty Victorian Gardens at The Montenotte hotel is titled “Take Your Imagination on a Journey of Wonder”. When the sun is shining there is no better way to spend an afternoon; www.themontenottehotel.com. Explore the full list of summer exhibitions worth seeing here. @pennymccormicked
FAMILY FUN:
The Farmleigh and Dublin Book Festival Family Fun Day is taking place on Monday August 5, starting at 11am. Taking place in the beautiful grounds of Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park, the day promises to be action packed, full of events and workshops featuring some of Ireland’s best-loved children’s authors and illustrators including Niamh Donnellan, Leona Forde, Shane Hegarty, Emma-Jane Leeson, Muireann Ní Chíobháin and Alan Nolan. There will be plenty of drop-in activities for the family to take part in throughout the day as well as an arts and crafts station and a book swap stand. Find out everything you need to know here; www.dublinbookfestival.com.
DINING OUT:
Heading out for a special meal in Dublin this bank holiday? Try one of these new openings. A special one to note is Coppinger in Dublin 2. It has reopened after it closed its doors two and a half years ago and is as deliciously decadent as ever. “Purists will appreciate the return of spaghetti and meatballs but I’m planning a visit for the chargrilled turbot on the bone with garlic scape Basque dressing. Oh, and the croquettes,” says Ciara McQuillan.
If you are looking for a new wine bar to try, Le Petit Renard in Dublin 6 is an excellent choice. Don’t skip the chocolate mousse with roasted hazelnuts and olive oil. See the full list of new restaurants in Dublin to book now. @ciaramcquillan
THEATRE TRIP:
Brian Friel’s Dancing At Lughnasa is showing at the Gate Theatre until Saturday September 21, and it looks like there are some last minute tickets still available for matinee and evening shows over the bank holiday weekend. Dancing at Lughnasa centres around the Mundy sisters in Donegal in the summer of 1936, as we follow the hopes and dreams of these extraordinary, ordinary women. Exploring themes of family, love, belonging and female resilience, this is a play to mesmerise the whole family. Book tickets here; www.gatetheatre.ie. Photograph by Ros Kavanagh.
LUNCH IN THE GARDEN:
If the weather is warm, the idea is to spend more time in the garden, less time in the kitchen! Kitty Coles shares a recipe for a really great Greek salad, that’s light, simple and quick to prepare. “I know what you’re thinking, wow, she’s writing a recipe for a Greek salad. Not exactly revolutionary. But sometimes it’s just good to remember what’s already good. For the tomatoes, I recommend using really good quality tomatoes such as pink bulls heart, beefsteak or heirloom.”@kittycoles See recipe here.
GARDEN CENTRES GALORE:
Make an ordinary weekend trip to the garden centre all the more enjoyable by visiting one that has an excellent cafe on-site. The Plant Collector in Kildare is a fabulous spot visit on the weekend. The café is hidden amongst the plants and is an idyllic spot to enjoy some speciality coffee, gourmet food and treats while surrounded by nature and wildlife. See more garden centres with coffee shops here. @ciaramcquillan
OUTDOOR DINING:
There is nothing more glorious than sitting in a sun-filled courtyard or under the awning of a gorgeous terrace, with a cold glass of something delicious in hand. This long weekend we are choosing to dine outside, whatever the weather. For some old-school French bistro vibes Chez Max in Dublin 2 is the answer, for a very pretty and secluded spot for breakfast or brunch, the MoLi Café in Dublin 2 is perfect, and if you’re visiting Cork, the secret garden at Dede restaurant in Baltimore is an excellent choice. See the full list of the 20 top terraces to book here.
SUMMER READS:
Edel Coffey has curated the perfect list of books to pack with you wherever you’re travelling this weekend. “For me, summer reading is all about headspace, stolen moments, and getting lost in a story for as long as the light lasts. It’s a time to step away from indoor pursuits and the lure of too many screens, and move outdoors with some really good books,” says Edel. “For a real summer read try Emily Henry’s Funny Story. Emily Henry is by now a writer synonymous with the summer read. She even has a novel called Beach Read. Funny Story (Viking, €15.99) is the latest novel from this fizzy, acerbic writer and it tells the story of heartbroken Daphne, whose fiancé has jilted her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Petra’s ex Miles, meanwhile, can relate to how Daphne is feeling. When the two hatch a plan to show their exes what they’re missing, could they both end up believing the charade? A smart and enjoyable romantic read.” @edelcoffey
Scroll Edel Coffey’s list to discover some more of the best books for summer.
SUNDAY SWEET TREATS:
With brilliant bakeries popping up all over the country, find one that is nearest to you (or that is worth a journey) with Ciara McQuillan’s list of the best new bakeries to visit. From Elliots to Scéal, to Cookie Boy and Breadman Walking in Dublin, and Plúr bakery in Carlow, discover one to visit this weekend here. @ciaramcquillan
BINGEABLE TV:
When time to curl up on the couch comes, here’s what to watch this weekend. “Based on The New York Times best-selling novel of the same name by Laura Lippman, Lady In The Lake is the new Apple TV+ series that not only marks Natalie Portman’s first foray into prestige television, it blends a scintillating murder-mystery with the glamour (or, perhaps, decaying) glamour of the 1960s.
What’s the plot? Set in Baltimore, Maryland in 1966, Lady In The Lake follows Maddie Schwartz (Portman), a middle-class Jewish housewife looking to find agency as an investigative journalist. Maddie becomes obsessed with the disappearance of a young girl in their community: so much so that she abandons her husband and son to try and crack the story. It also follows the life of Cleo Johnson (played by Moses Ingram) an African-American mother struggling to make ends meet. While at first, the two women’s lives seem entirely disparate, their paths converge around the disappearance of the young girl – and a sinister tale unfolds.” Find out everything you need to know about it here. @ohegartysarah
BANK HOLIDAY BAKING:
Whether you’re entertaining at home or simply in the mood to bake something new, Kitty Coles’s almond sponge is the perfect recipe to try this weekend. “I recently hosted a Mallorcan-themed supper club in Edinburgh and served this cake for dessert. I don’t say this often, but I really love this cake – it’s sort of like an olive oil version of the “any cake” cake recipe from my cookbook and it works every time. I’ve served it with sliced oranges and lightly whipped cream, but you can have it with any summer fruits you like – or just eat it warm on its own.” @kittycoles See recipe here.
THE OLYMPICS WATCH LIST:
After much excitement in the swimming pool following Mona McSharry’s Bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke and Daniel Wiffen’s Gold in the men’s 1500m freestyle event – we must keep supporting our Irish athletes. Still to come are the record-breaking track and field athletes, cyclists and marathon runner to watch, Fionnuala McCormack. See THE GLOSS top pick of the Olympics schedule here.
BANK HOLIDAY BROWSING:
If you come across a gorgeous new shop close to home or on your travels, we want to hear about it. Nominate your favourite shop for THE GLOSS x Theshopkeepers.com Best Shops Ireland 2024! Following on the extraordinary success and community interest from our BestShops Ireland campaigns in 2022 and 2023, we are delighted to continue our partnership with Theshopkeepers.com to find and celebrate unique, creative and inspiring independent shops around Ireland. Nominate a shop you love here.
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