May is usually a warm, sunny month in Dublin and there are lots of things to do and see in the city – especially outdoors. If you’re looking for the arts, music and literature, song and dance, then May is a brilliant month to be in Dublin.
Here are some of the more interesting things you can do:
1. Dublin Gay Theatre Festival
The Dublin Gay Theatre Festival was founded in 2004 to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Oscar Wilde and every year it celebrates the contribution of gay people to theatre, past and present.
So what’s so unusual about this festival? Well, it’s the largest event of its type in the world for a start. There’s an emphasis on new or recent international and Irish works with a broadly gay theme or relevance which means there will be some fascinating works and performances to see.
It runs from the 4th to the 17th – have a look at the programme here.
2. Skerries Traditional Music Festival
Skerries is a small seaside town just outside the city and every year it holds an incredible traditional (‘trad’) music festival. This year the 15th Skerries Traditional Music Weekend will take place from 13th – 15th of May and the weekend will be packed with music, song and dance. Some of Ireland’s top trad musicians will be there, playing with locals and visitors in a celebration of our unique Irish heritage.
Keep an eye on the official website here.
3. Dublin Dance Festival
If you’re planning to visit Dublin between the 17th and 28th of May then check out the Dublin Dance Festival. It brings together dance artists and choreographers from across the world to share vibrant, contemporary dance with audiences in Ireland and there are loads of brilliant performances, plays, shows, classes and exhibitions planned.
4. Dublin Docklands Festival
This year’s Dublin Docklands Summer Festival is on 21st & 22nd May at Grand Canal Dock. There’s a whole weekend of fun planned, including a wakeboarding extravaganza, international street performers, a rafting challenge, floating golf, a rubber duck race, kayaking, DJs, music, dance, food and craft markets, a kiddies funfair and a barge gathering.
5. International Literature Festival Dublin
If literature is your thing, then get to Dublin between the 21st and 29th of May for the International Literature Festival Dublin. This is Ireland’s biggest literary event and “gathers the finest writers in the world to debate, provoke, delight and enthrall”.
There will be readings, discussions, debates, workshops, performances and screenings. Mingle with poets, writers, authors, novelists, lyricists, playwrights and screenwriters. Even fan-favourite Jacqueline Wilson will be part of the festival…
If you’re planning a vacation to Dublin and are looking for things to do, that’s a whole month of muses in May taken care of. For more suggestions and news, just check out our calendar of events here.