May is often the best month in which to come to stay in Dublin. The weather is kinder, the city is awakening to the start of summer and the smiles are a little wider on the faces around you.
This is Dublin, it’s May, and here are our top things to do in the city while you’re here:
1. Wellfest
Wellfest is Ireland’s “only health, fitness and wellness festival”. It takes place on May 6th and 7th in Herbert Park, Donnybrook and features household names like The Happy Pear, Pat Divilly, Joe Wicks and Derval O’Rourke.
2. Imelda May
Imelda May has reinvented herself with a new look and a tighter focus on the big band sound, blues, jazz and rock and roll. She’s in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on May 29th – don’t miss it.
3. Dublin Dance Festival
Dublin Dance Festival is all about contemporary dance performances and this year, as always, the festival is bringing together dance artists and choreographers from across the world to share their vibrant contemporary dance with audiences.
4. Darkness into Light
This is a worldwide phenomenon – Darkness into Light is Pieta House’s flagship annual fundraising and awareness event that started in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in 2009. On May 6th there will be hundreds of thousands of walkers in 150 venues across the world helping to promote suicide prevention.
5. Bob Dylan
We can now call him the Nobel-winning Bob Dylan and he’s back in Dublin again. Probably the greatest singer-songwriters of his generation will bring his not-to-be-missed show to the 3Arena on May 11th.
6. Guinness Pro12 Rugby
The Guinness Pro12 rugby season draws to a conclusion this month and all of the last games of the regular league will be played at the same time on May 6th. After that, Leinster and Munster are already through and have guaranteed home play-offs. Will they face each other in the final on the 27th?
7. Foil, Arms & Hog
Internet comedy sensations Foil, Arms & Hog will bring their new show to life at Vicar Street on May 27th. If their online sketches are anything to go by, it’s going to be hilarious.
8. Billy Ocean
When the going gets tough, the tough get going to Vicar Street on May 12th to see Billy Ocean. He’s a living legend and still performing in iconic music venues like this while artists like R. Kelly queue up to work with him. A brilliant night, guaranteed.
9. Docklands Summer Festival
Last year an estimated 100,000 people came to enjoy the biggest free family event in the city, with music, performances, markets, wakeboarding, raft races, floating golf challenge and Docklands Rubber Ducky Race. Join them at Docklands Summer Festival this year on May 20th and 21st.
10. International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival
Already in its 14th year, the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival has a packed programme of drama, comedy, tragedy and classical theatre from May 1st to the 14th, including its 4,000th performance.
11. Mary Coughlan
Mary Coughlan is bringing her new show to Vicar Street in Dublin on May 13th and it promises to be just as good as you’d expect from this iconic Irish singer. If you only see one show this month, make sure this is it.
12. Guinness Choir
For over 100 years, the Guinness Choir has wowed Dublin audiences. This May they’ll do it again with a performance of Haydn’s The Seasons in the Royal Dublin Society.
13. International Literature Festival
The International Literature Festival is Ireland’s premier literary event and once again some of the finest writers in the world will be here to debate, provoke and inspire with readings, discussions, workshops, performances and screenings. From May 20th to the 28th in various locations around the city.
Well that’s your visit to Dublin in May taken care of. If you’re planning a trip to the city or are just looking for things to do, follow us on Facebook for more suggestions and news.