It’s nearly Dine in Dublin time again – the best reason to treat yourself to an amazing meal out with friends!

There are over 50 restaurants on the list for the up coming Dine in Dublin week – Oct 18 – 24th. I have put together a list of all participating restaurants so you can easily compare which ones are worth checking out.

My top recommendations from what I’ve read on the site are:

Eatery 120 in Ranelagh – 4/5 stars from 10 reviews – I’ve been here myself and the food was amazing. Read more

The Aviva

Oct 8th - Ireland v Russia
European Championship Football Qualifier

Oktoberfest

Sept 30th – Oct 10th – Head down to the IFSC for some beers and and German style fun. You can book your table in advance – not a bad idea considering how busy this gets. I went along last year and the queue was huge – bring a coat!

Irish Web Awards

This year the Irish Web Awards are on in The Mansion House on the 16th of October. Tickets are €30 and can only be bought online on the webawards.ie.

Dublin Theatre Fest

Sept 30th – Oct 17th – Europe’s oldest specialist theatre festival. For all goings on check out their website http://www.dublintheatrefestival.com/

Cork Jazz Fest

Oct 22nd – 25th – Events will be on all over Cork city in such venues as The Everyman Palace, Triskel @ The River Lee Hotel, The Pavillion & many more. One of the headliners are Apes and Babes in The Savoy on the Saturday night. For  a list of all gigs check out their listing page.

Here’s some interesting activities I found that are going on in August. There’s a variety of things going, and I think there something for everyone this month:

6th – 15th – Kilkenny Arts Festival – This is the 37th year of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, and is probably the best one yet. Take a peek at their schedule of events. It is going to be 10 days jam packed with Irish and international music and art of all kinds.

10th – 12th – Puck Fair - As one of Ireland’s oldest and well, let’s say unique fairs, they have a little bit of everything during is held on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of August every year. Their programme is packed and is worth the trip to Killorglin in County Kerry.

13th – 16th – Roundstone Summerfest – They have a back-up for this festival so it can go on rain or shine. Plus, most of the events are free, and who can turn down free entertainment?

21st – 22nd Dublin Viking Festival -  The programme hasn’t be announced yet, but stay tuned, because it should be announced soon. Go ahead and gather your fellow kings and warriors to prepare for the invasion of Wood Quay on the 21st and 22nd of August.

Everyone did a great job of informing me about festivities that I didn’t know about last month. So, if you know of something going on in August that we don’t have listed here, don’t hesitate to let the Truvo.ie community know about it. All you have to do it post it in the comments, and I’ll update the blog so everyone can see.

Clonmel Junction Festival July 2nd-11th

With something going on every weekend in July, you can start the month off at the Junction Festival in Clonmel. “The Circus Comes to Town” is this year’s theme and it will offer a range of acts embracing traditional and contemporary  circus. Having a programme with a variety of circus acts, musicians, and comedians means there is something for everyone.

OXEGEN July 8th-11th

This year OXEGEN has its strongest line-up thus far including highlighted performers MUSE, EMINEM, Jay-Z and the Black Eyed Peas;  but OXEGEN is about more than just music. There are several other things going on such as insane campsite funfair and tasty festival food.  If music and fun are your thing, make the trip out to the Punchestown Race course in Naas.

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We’ve got a bank holiday coming up – happy days.

Dublin Writers Festival June 1st – 6th

Displaying the best of the nations contemporary writers across the city. Events will take place in various venues such as The National Concert Hall, Dublin Writers Museum, The Sugar Club and The Hugh Lane. For a full list of venues and booking head over to the official festival website.

Bloom in the Park June 3rd-7th

Why not take a day or two to peruse around Bloom in the Park which takes place in Phoenix Park. This is Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family event, returns to the Phoenix Park Dublin this June bank holiday weekend for 5 days (Thursday 3rd – Monday 7th June). This year’s event will include over 20 spectacular showgardens, 50 floral displays and a large scale artisan farmers market, a live cookery and craft demonstrations, free gardening advice / workshops and kids go free!
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Kinsale 7′s are on this May Bank Holiday weekend, going for 22 years at this stage it’s sure to once again be a gigantic hit and draw a huge crowd. Have a look at some recommendations for eating and drinking and accommodation in Kinsale.

Dine in Cork continues until May 8th – I have made a guidebook of all participating restaurants to help you choose where to go – great list to choose from, some very popular restaurants on there.

Africa Day is on Sunday May 16th and will be celebrated again this year in The Iveagh Gardens in Dublin and by the civic offices in Limerick. Check out their site for some activities you can expect. I went along last year – a great day of fun and entertainment all round.

Fancy being a Super Hero for a day? The Childrens Medical Research Foundation have organised a 5k Super Hero Fun Run on Saturday May 22nd in Phoenix Park. Find out how you can get involved, all for the good cause of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin.

May 28th MURPHY’S Little Big Nights Out will celebrate the wonderful cultural diversity of Cork in Tom Barry’s with an Exotic Tasting night. Starts 6pm get full details over on their site.

Dublin City Soul Festival is on the 27-30th of May. Events include a Live Music Trail, Soul Cinema Eye Candy, Laugh Yer’ Soul Off @ The Laughter Lounge, Soul Fest Restaurant Trail and lots more. The festivals main event is a free picnic extravaganza on in Merrion Square on the Sunday.

April 16th – Fri
National Music day, a day of celebrating live music with loads of free live music events around the country – the first of it’s kind in Ireland. Check out what’s on in your area

April 17th – Sat
National Record Store Day – a day to celebrate indie music stores around the world and Irish ones will be no different.

April 21st – Wed
The Student Media Awards are on in The Mansion House – have a look see who got short listed.
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