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St Patrick's Day Festival
Nowhere else in the world is St Patrick's Day observed with more fun and celebration than in Dublin. The St Patrick's Day Festival has become a five-day party filled with 'craic' or good times with a varied program of events, including lots of traditional and contemporary Irish music. The Big Day Out carnival includes street performers, clowns, games, a funfair and lots of singing and dancing, and Pearl@Docklands promises an enchanting performance involving giant inflatable characters. Other highlights include the team Treasure Hunt, the spectacular Skyfest fireworks event; and a huge celebration of traditional Irish dance (Céilí Mór) where everyone can participate in a range of foot-tapping dances. The grand finale of the festival is the spectacular street parade that is a themed procession of colorful floats, marching bands and fantastic performers.
Venue: City Center
Date: 12-17 March 2009; Parade: 17 March
Website: www.stpatricksday.ie

Bloomsday Festival
James Joyce fans around the world celebrate Bloomsday on 16 June every year, but nowhere as creatively as in Dublin, the birthplace of the famous novelist. The festival commemorates his masterpiece Ulysses, one of the most highly acclaimed works of the 20th century in which Joyce captured the soul of Dublin in the tale of Leopold Bloom and his adventures on Thursday, 16 June 1904. The celebrations include re-enactments of Bloom's day as people visit the places where the novel was set, as well as readings, performances, breakfasts, look-alike contests and visits to the pub.
Date: 10-16 June 2009
Website: www.jamesjoyce.ie

Dublin Horse Show
One of the highlights on the summer calendar, the Dublin Horse Show draws the top national and international show jumpers and show horses with prizes totaling over EUR415,000. The event is not only about horses, though - visitors can also enjoy live music on the grass, shop at over 200 trade stands, or visit the exhibitions, and ladies can enter the glamorous fashion competition for the EUR10,000 diamond prize.
Venue: Royal Dublin Society complex
Date: 5-8 August 2009
Time: 9.30am to 6.30pm
Website: www.dublinhorseshow.com

Festival of World Cultures
With more than 160 events in 40 venues throughout Dun Laoghaire town, and featuring artists from 50 countries, the annual international arts and culture festival entertains audiences in excess of 200,000. Its diverse and expanding program of music, circus, theater, dance, club nights, markets, exhibitions, workshops and activities for children, aims to develop audiences' experience of the arts, challenging perceptions of international artistic culture.
Venue: Dun Laoghaire
Date: 28-30 August 2009
Website: www.festivalofworldcultures.com

Irish Derby
The Budweiser sponsored event is one of the most prestigious horse racing events of the year. Held at The Curragh, one of Europe's oldest sporting grounds, this event attracts the attention of horse-lovers from across the globe and especially in the horse-mad country of Ireland itself.
Venue: Curragh
Date: 28 June 2009
Website: www.curragh.ie

Hallowfest
This Halloween Festival takes place over a bank holiday weekend and hosts a range of activities for both young and old, such as games, fun walks, spooky storytelling and a spectacular Fireworks display.
Venue: South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght and the Dublin Mountains
Date: 25-26 October 2009
Time: To be confirmed
Website: www.hallowfest.ie

Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats
The award winning exhibition 'Yeats: the life and works of William Butler Yeats' features manuscripts from the National Library's collection and covers many aspects of the poet's life and his development as a writer. There are also other fascinating material which has been generously donated by Mrs George Yeats, wife of the poet, and Michael Yeats, the poet's son, over several years.
Venue: The National Library of Ireland
Date: Daily
Time: Monday to Wednesday: 9:30am - 7:45pm. Thursday to Saturday: 9:30am - 4:45pm. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays

Dublin Toy and Train Fair
The Dublin Toy and Train Fair is always a much anticipated event for children of all ages. With over 46 dealers from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and England attending, over 70 tables stocked with interesting collectors items can be expected. All sorts of collectible toys will be available including Diecast models by Corgi, and Dinky, Construction sets by Meccano, Bayko, Lead soldiers by Britains, Crescent. For those who prefer reading, a selection of Comics, TV and Film annuals from the 1940s to1960s will also be on offer.
Venue: Clontarf Castle, Clontarf Castle Hotel
Date: 24 May 2009
Time: 10am to 5pm

Nightly performance of Irish music, song and dance
The banquet and show is a highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish music, ballads and Irish dancing which takes place at the Merry Ploughboys Pub, Dublin, Ireland. Guests can enjoy a baquet while relaxing with a pint of Guiness while being entertained by the very best of Irish ballad bands, such as Dublin's very own Merry Ploughboys. The Irish ballad session is usually interrupted midway by a spectacular dance routine incorporating the best of contemporary and traditional Irish dancing. Once the dancing comes to an end, the band begins to let loose and a night of authentically Irish entertainment is guaranteed with both musicians and dancers involving the entire audience in their high energy performance.
Venue: The Merry Ploughboy Pub, Dublin City Center
Date: 3 October 2007 to 1 December 2008
Website: www.MPBpub.com

Festival of World Food
The Festival of World Foods hosts cookery demonstrations and workshops from around the globe creating a taste sensation for everyone. Highlights include the Agri Aware Mobile Farm and 'Meet the Spuds' demonstration Unit where children can get up close to farm animals and farm life. The Back to Basics area will feature an authentic 'Yurt' dwelling where people can enjoy home made ice-cream, smoothies and raw foods and Guest Head Chef, Traweekak Trakoolwattana from award winning Thai and Vietnamese restaurant, Saba who previously cooked for the king and queen of Thailand, will do cookery workshops showcasing his unique ingredients and cooking style. Live music from a popular 7-piece string band, 'Prison Love' will be performed and a Hoe Down with a pig roast, corn on the cob and baked potatoes will ensue.
Venue: Marley Park
Date: October 2009
Time: 10am-6pm

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