Bealtaine Festival at Home – Age & Opportunity’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic Bealtaine is again coming to you, at home! They’re continuing the celebration by adding events, videos, and resources to their website. Check in with them regularly for updates.
1st-30th May
Online
Free
The Mother Tongues Festival is the largest festival celebrating linguistic diversity through the arts in Ireland. Their mission is to showcase Ireland’s rich artistic and cultural tapestry through the use of the multiple languages spoken in the country and to enable people to connect while engaging in diverse creative experiences. The festival shows that multilingualism is not a barrier, but a reason to get together and celebrate.
1st-30th May
Online
Free
Explore the hidden history of Ireland on a virtual tour. Haunted houses, grave robbers, torture murder, mystery, mayhem…Learn about some of Ireland’s darkest history with tour guide Ciaran Behan.
1st May
Online
Donations
Over the past 15 years it has become something of a holiday tradition to attend a Dublin concert with Christy Moore, either in the run up to Christmas or early in the New Year. Different times make for different circumstances, and although there is no large gathering scheduled for this year, join a livestream show from the National Concert Hall.
1st May
Online
Tickets From € 16.50
The closing concert of ChamberFest 2021 features the exhilarating Ensemble Interforma under the directorship of violinist, Sarah Sew. “Re:Form” explores the ideal of an organic approach to re-forming traditional ensembles, and looks to a future “reform” of traditional ideals on relation to instrumentation/orchestration.
2nd May
Online
Free
A General Knowledge quiz night for all the family. There will be rounds on film and TV, history, music, geography and sport.
3rd May
Online
Free
MODOS is a circular economy training programme for micro, small and medium size enterprises developed for Dublin City Council and the Waste Management Plan Lead Authority (WMPLA). Now Dublin City Council and The Digital Hub are partnering to deliver MODOS training for businesses in Dublin 8.
5th May
Online
Free
Join Professor Barry McCrea with writer Caitriona Lally in this edition of Ireland’s Generation X?, a series of conversations about Ireland’s in-between generation. “Generation X” describes the group of people born between 1965 and 1985, a generation caught between Baby Boomers and Millennials characterised by anti-establishment slacker culture, cynicism, irony, and— after the global economic crash — negative equity.
5th May
Online
Free
Damian and Kevin – accidental cousins and one-time friends – haven’t seen each other for 12 years. Brought together on the eve of a family funeral, their differing aspirations and starkly contrasted backgrounds are brought into sharp focus in this unexpectedly moving drama full of humanity and dark humour
5th May
Online
Tickets From € 5.00
Cormac O’Malley will read an unpublished humorous but historic vignette written in 1935 by his War of Independence father, General Ernie O’Malley, called ‘Admirals for a Day’.
5th May
Online
Free
Now blooming in gardens across Ireland, the iris and wisteria both have a long history of appreciation in Japan. Curator Mary Redfern introduces the art and poetry surrounding these plants with reference to some of the works in the Chester Beatty collection.
5th May
Online
Free
Joan Barnewell will tell the story of snuff and show some of the beautiful snuff bottles in the Chester Beatty collection.
5th May
Online
Free
In this talk Michael looks at College Life – Support Services and Personnel, General Campus, Personal Management and Accommodation Tips. Michael also explores the Signs and Symptoms of Mental Ill-Health/Anxiety and strategies on how to Manage Anxiety.
5th May
Online
Free
Mícheál Ó hAodha is a poet from Galway in the west of Ireland who writes in the Irish language. He has written poetry, short stories, journalism and academic books on Irish social history, particularly relating to Travellers, the Irish working-class experience.
5th May
Online
Free
Three panel sessions of discussion and debate themed on the three goals identified in the Terms of Reference for the Future of Media Commission; to identify the Irish experience, to consider the extent to which the current models of delivery are the appropriate ones the next ten years, and to review best practice in other comparable jurisdictions.
6th May
Online
Free
Join Professor Kenneth McConkey for this online talk examining one of the most significant Irish artists of his time.
6th May
Online
From €10.00
Framing Ageing: A Clinical, Cultural, and Social Dialogue facilitates methodological exchange between geriatricians, gerontologists, humanities researchers, social scientists, and practitioners, who can benefit from transdisciplinary collaboration. A key aim is to create a transdisciplinary network that liberates the field from the constraints of failure models of ageing.
7th May
Online
Free
Letter writing is an art and some letters are artworks. In this workshop they will look at some unusual and creative letters produced by artists throughout history. Inspired by these, they will think outside the box. Using observation, memory and imagination, their pencils will take us on a journey across the page and create a completely unique visual letter to post to a friend, your family or whoever you like.
7th May
Online
Free
7th-21st May
Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin 8
Tickets Free
The Harold’s Cross festival in 2021 will be almost entirely virtual. The festival has been running for more than 10 years and the aim is to continually increase the sense of community. The festival is run entirely by volunteers and takes place each year in May.
8th-16th May
Online
Free
Sunrise is a time of hope, a moment of warmth and the promise of a brighter day ahead. Take part with your loved ones by simply walking locally and sharing your sunrise. Together, we can build a brighter future and give hope to all who have been impacted by suicide and self-harm in Ireland and across the globe.
8th May
Online
Donations
Join Bealtaine to work on some easy knitting projects with Margaret including a tea cosy and summer wreath.
10th May
Online
Free
An Online Celebration showcasing the work of schools who have participated in Creative Schools and Creative Clusters initiatives since 2018. The Online Celebration will also include workshops, interviews and features across a range of different artists and organisations.
10th-14th May
Online
Free
Sitting at the desk all day creates a real strain on your neck, shoulders and back. You may feel stiff and uncomfortable, and this can even affect your concentration. Join Kaman Ryan for this Coffee Break Movements video. The short morning routine is ideal to help gently stretch out the major joints from the neck, through the spine and down to the toes.
10th May
Online
Free
The workshop is targeted at owners/managers of retail outlets who want to improve the visual merchandising aspects of their window and shop interior displays.
12th May
Online
From € 20.00
Based on his new book Four Killings (Head of Zeus, London, 2021) which is to be published in May, Myles Dungan extracts three of the aforementioned killings – which took place during the War of Independence – talks about the bloody narrative of his extended family during the revolutionary era and offers suggestions on how to research the activities of your own ancestors in that seminal conflict.
12th May
Online
Free
Looking for a new job or to develop your career? Our Online Job Fairs could be your ticket to success! Free to register, you’ll be able to find out everything you need from the recruiters and hiring managers by speaking with them at this event.
13th May
Online
Free
Join National Gallery of Ireland for the online talk with Sean Rainbird, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, as he introduces New Perspectives, and looks back on the exciting new directions the Gallery has taken in acquisitions during his time at the helm.
13th May
Online
Free
The Vanbrugh and their guests present two of the most loved works from the chamber music repertoire. Brahms’ F major quintet, written in Bad Ischl in the summer of 1882, was a work he was particularly fond of and from the gorgeous opening melody, through the exquisite slow movement, to the high octane finale, it is easy to see why.
13th May
Online
From € 12.00
Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, in conjunction with the Annual Mother Tongues Arts Festival 2021 are delighted to host ‘The Art of Witness’, a presentation of creative practice and an online panel discussion exploring themes of language, identity and culture on the island of Ireland.
14th May
Online
From € 5.00
There are many ways an image can be transferred from one surface to another. Our new exhibition, Living with Art: from Picasso to Celmins showcases a multitude of printmaking techniques, including etching, drypoint and monotype.
14th May
Online
From € 5.00
Artist Jen O’Brien takes a closer look at Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro’s illustrations from the ‘Picture book of selected insects’ to create her own picture book. Starting with drawing, he will introduce mixed media techniques to capture the beauty of the natural world.
15th May
Online
Free
Every year, the National Gallery of Ireland—together with dozens of museums, galleries, libraries and cultural organisations all over the island of Ireland—encourages people to get drawing with a jam-packed day of free events for people of all ages. This year the gallery is bringing you Drawing Day online, wherever you are, and they are excited!
15th May
Online
Free
There are many images of animals at the Chester Beatty and today we will have a closer look at the elephants. Follow artist Roxana Manouchehri and learn how to draw the elephant’s long trunk, large head with wide flat ears, white tusks and enormous body with column-like legs.
15th May
Online
Free
Have you ever wondered how to draw a transparent object? Artist Roxana Manouchehri shares tips on drawing a clear ball, including shading, and cross-hatching techniques which help achieve the desired outcome.
15th May
Online
Free
Follow step-by-step instructions to create folds and drapes, and understand the importance of light and shadow on drawing textiles.
15th May
Online
Free
Bookbindings made in Egypt and Syria during the reign of the Mamluk Sultanate (1250-1516) represent the pinnacle of Islamic book design. Their decoration is refined and complex. Join Head of Conservation, Kristine Rose-Beers, as she introduces these books which represent a unique binding structure.
18th May
Online
Free
Join curators Janet McLean and Niamh MacNally as they discuss a selection of new artworks acquired over the last decade for the national collection. The works discussed will be on display as part of New Perspectives. Acquisitions 2011-2020.
18th May
Online
From €5.00
The book for May is Three Apples Fell from the Skyby Narine Abgaryan, translated from the Russian by Lisa C. Hayden. Published by Oneworld. An award-winning story of friendship and feuds in a remote Armenian mountain village, this is a tale of love, friendship and second chances.
18th May
Online
Free
Harpist Aisling Ennis returns to the Chester Beatty with live online performance to highlight International Museums Day. To celebrate the occasion, Aisling will select a programme of classical, traditional Irish and popular music and share some of her favourite seasonal poetry to compliment the programme.
19th May
Online
Free
In recognition of the challenges facing the sector, there is no registration fee for Summit 2021. You and your colleagues can attend Ireland’s top event for charities, community and voluntary organisations and social enterprises completely free of charge. There are six online events in the Summit 2021 series. Please register for each event that you would like to attend.
19th-20th May
Online
Free
The International Literature Festival Dublin, founded in 1998, is Ireland’s premier literary event and gathers the finest writers in the world to debate, provoke, delight and enthral. Described by the press as ‘boasting a stunning array of top international literary talent’ and ‘the country’s most successful and easily the best annual literary event’, International Literature Festival Dublin’s line-up is sure to impress.
20th-30th May
Online
Varies
Adrian Le Harivel, Curator of British Art, examines the first ever full exhibition of colourful and engaging Elizabethan portraits in the collection. At the court of Elizabeth I, familiar faces from drama and literature jostle for power and influence, heavily reliant on their appearance and painted images.
24th May
Online
Free
The day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural
21st May
International Day
Ireland, under the pressures and pearls of global movements, international agreements (and disagreements), and mixing of tribes, is rapidly becoming a culturally and religiously diverse society. As an island, Ireland is in the process of moving from a past identity of division to a newer identity formed out of sharing of values of respect and openness, richness and diversity, and better social outcomes for all citizens.
27th May
Online
Free
Join accountant and active patron of the arts Dónall Curtin for an online talk about his and his wife Anne O’Donoghue’s private art collection.
27th May
Online
From €5.00
UCD Festival @ Home – three days of fantastic virtual events, from workshops and expert talks to online tours and demonstrations.
27th-29th May
Online
Free
