Things to do in May in Dublin and surrounding areas

I have put together a list of things to do with your family in May in Dublin and surrounding areas. I find sometimes when you are looking for things to do you totally forget what is on so this is a handy guide that you can keep coming back to. Some events are a little drive outside Dublin but I have linked all events so you can see where they are and what suits you best. Hope it gives you some ideas of things to do!

Malahide Castle Fairy Trail

Open all year round

Malahide Castle

Malahide

Co. Dublin

With fun sculptures, fairy houses and lots of other hidden gems to find, little visitors are invited to use the interactive booklet to solve clues and answer questions on their way around the trail.

Tickets for the Fairy Trail can be booked online in advance or bought on the day in our Visitor Centre. If you buy online, don’t forget to pick up the booklets from the Visitor Centre before you start the Trail.

Important Notes for Grown-Ups

The Trail is open all year around from 9:30am. Last entry is at until 4:30pm in the summer season (April to October) and 3:00pm in winter (November to March).

Children under four go free!

The trail is around 1.8km long and takes approximately an 1hr 15 minutes to complete… Although time flies when having fun with fairies!

The trail is along an aggregate pathway. We recommend you stick to the path to avoid any accidents or injuries!

We would like our Fairy Trail to be an experience for all to enjoy for many years to come and so we kindly ask you to prevent any climbing on the fairy displays.

Malahide Castle and Gardens tickets include entry to the Fairy Trail on the West Lawn. Interactive trail booklets are available at the Admissions Desk and priced at €2 each. Tickets for the Fairy Trail only are also available.

Hungry fairy spotters take note: all Fairy Trail ticket holders can enjoy 25% off children’s meals at the Avoca café in the Visitor Centre!

Buy your tickets for the Fairy Trail now.

https://www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/fairy-trail/

National Museum of Ireland

Wednesday 1st May – Friday 31st May 2019

We bring history to life for over a million visitors every year. At our three Dublin sites and one in Mayo, the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) holds the national collections of Archaeology, Decorative Arts, History, Ethnography, Folklife and Natural History in trust for the people of Ireland. Our mission is to put people – visitors, staff and partners – at the centre of all that we do, and engage with them in new and creative ways. And with over four million objects in our collections, we have a continual source of inspiration for our programmes.

Please click on the link below to discover all the events taking place across the four Museum sites.

https://www.museum.ie/Visit-Us/Events

Dabbledoo Music Workshops – Axis

Saturday 4th May 11.00am – 12.30pm

Axis Art Centre and Theatre

Main St

Ballymun

Dublin

Dabbledoo Music provides an accessible, engaging and fun way for all the family to enjoy playing music together, regardless of previous experience or ability. Their resources have been developed to encourage creativity and collaboration through the power of music. They use a system of animated, colour-coded notation that anyone can understand to get everybody making music in no time.

Set up in 2010 by Shane McKenna and Killian Redmond, both artists and educators who shared a mutual love of music. Since then, they have developed an entire music curriculum. In this workshop children will be provided with instruments and will play along to Igor The Octopus (the world’s greatest drummer!), learn melody with Jazz Cat and even play an Irish Polka.

Time: 11.00am 5-7yrs | 12:30pm 8+ yrs.

Tickets: €5 (Parents go free).

Running time: 45 minutes.

Booking available by phone: 018832100.

Email INFO@AXISBALLYMUN.IE for a call back.

https://dublin.ie/whats-on/listings/dabbledoomusic-workshops/

Children’s Drop-By Activities – Botanic Gardens

Sunday 5th – Sunday 26th May – 11.00am, 11.30am, 3.00pm & 3.30pm

Botanic Gardens

Glasnevin

Dublin

Join us for fun spring time garden activities in the dedicated Children’s Erasmus Education Garden! Check out our main Facebook page to find out the week’s activity in advance.

Suitable from ages 4 and up. All children must bring their own grown up

Time:

No bookings required, first come first served

https://www.facebook.com/events/284616125772527/

Teddy Bears Picnic – Russborough House

Sunday 5th May 11.30am – 2.30pm

Russborough House and Parklands

Blessing ton

Co. Wicklow

Fun packed family day out. Walk starts at 11.30m in the Courtyard. Bring your own picnic and favourite teddy bear.

https://www.facebook.com/TeddyBearsPicnicBlessington/photos/gm.363724590901527/390909161762417/?type=3&theater

Woolapalooza Festival – Airfield Estate

Sunday 5th – Monday 6th May 9.30am – 5.00pm

Airfield Estate

Overhand Way

Dundrum

Dublin 14

Woolapalooza farm festival returns to Airfield Estate, Dundrum, Dublin this May bank holiday weekend!

With a bumper amount of farm-themed activities including;

✂️Sheep Shearing

?Sheepdog trials

☕Best Tea Cosy Competition

?All Day Grill

?Guild of Irish Spinners, Weavers & Dyers

?Ceili Music & Dancing

Butchery Demos

?‍?Cooking & Baking Demos

?️All day brunch in Overends Kitchen

?Drop in craft sessions

?Niki Collier Felt Workshops & Installation

⛏️Dry Stone Wall Association demonstrations

?Biodiversity / Natural Dye Foraging walks

✔️Irish Embroiderers Guild & Irish Patchwork Society – Demonstrations & exhibition

Plus all of our daily activities & lots more to be announced..

Tickets available to buy online

Adults: €12

Kids: €5

Under 3’s: Free

Annual Pass Holders: Free

Pre-book your tickets today for fast track entry to the festival.

https://www.facebook.com/events/166461777573130/

Workshop: Design a Board Game – The Ark

Monday 6th May 11.30am – 1.00pm

The Ark

11a Eustace Street

Dublin 2

Join award winning game designer and developer Brenda Romero and design your very own board game in this fun workshop for Ages 8-12.

Brenda will share with you her knowledge of game design, showing you the structure on which all games are developed. You will then come up with an initial idea for a game, change it, make it even better, and add challenges to make it fun for all.

Then you will get hands-on as you put your newly acquired knowledge into practice designing and play testing your own game.

https://www.facebook.com/events/326431038060843/

May Bank Holiday Monday with Electric Zoo! – Wells House

Monday 6th May 1.00pm – 5.00pm

Wells House and Gardens

Ballyedmond

Gory

Co Wexford

Join us here at Wells for some Bank Holiday fun with a BBQ, Kid’s Disco & Electric Zoo – kicking off at 1pm!

For more info contact info@wellshouse.ie or 053 9186737

https://www.facebook.com/events/811035602610111/

Explorium Ireland

Opening Hours:

Science & Sport: Mon – Fri 3pm – 6pm.

Sat + Sun 10am – 6pm.

Junior : Mon – Fri 9.30am – 5pm.

Sat + Sun 10am – 6pm.

Find us just off exit 13/14 on the M50 South or Northbound OPPOSITE LAMB DOYLES, Blackglen Road, Sandyford, Dublin D18 N1F2

A key philosophy at Explorium is to challenge both mind and body so we have also created sporting areas that will encourage our visitors to push their limits.

Find more information on their website below:

https://www.explorium.ie/?fbclid=IwAR1OyIu3fPH6H0zuH5F7qp2vNCVheH4j872xert1d8ZYDXYhy2h2JG7N-7s

Giddy Studios Baby & Toddler Week

Until Sunday 5th May 10.30am – 11.30am

Giddy Studios

Level 2, Red Car Park

Dundrum Town Centre

Dublin 14

We are running our Annual April ‘Baby & Toddler Week’ from Monday 29th April to Sunday 5th May 2019 with guest speakers and play sessions over the 7 mornings (Full list below).

Price: €8.50 = entry fee per participating child on ‘Play Days’. One adult per child. If more than one adult attending 2 tickets required (ie: 2 adults and 1 child require 2 tickets).

On ‘Expert Talk Days’ a ticket must be bought per attending adult.

Price includes session + one free pottery tile + tea or coffee (tea/coffee only served on ‘Expert Talk Days’).

Any mugs painted at this session (optional activity) are discounted to €14 (from €19.50). It’s the perfect time to pre-order gorgeous Fathers Day gifts. Just pick your piece of pottery, we’ll take your little one’s prints and our artist will do the rest! A gorgeous present without any hassle!

Baby & Toddler Week Line Up below:

{Please note you must visit each eventbrite page to book a different session}:

Monday 29th April : Harmony Yoga Ireland : Gail Bovenizer : Toddler Yoga : Age group – 18 months +

Eventbrite Link: www.eventbrite.ie/e/harmony-yoga-toddler-yoga-class-age-group-18-months-tickets-59180212609?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Tuesday 30th April : Mummycooks : Siobhan Berry : Weaning & Food Expert Class: Age group – Baby & Toddler

Eventbrite Link: www.eventbrite.ie/e/mummycooks-weaning-food-advice-class-relevant-to-all-ages-tickets-59180776295?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Wednesday 1st May : Solamh : Joanna Fortune : The 15 minute Parenting Play Session Explained : Expert Talk : Age group – Children & Teens

Eventbrite Link: www.eventbrite.ie/e/joanna-fortune-psychotherapist-to-children-teens-the-15-minute-parenting-play-session-explained-tickets-59181383110?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Thursday 2nd May : Flax & Beets : Jessica Nolan : Parent & Child Workout : Age group – 3+

Eventbrite Link: www.eventbrite.ie/e/flax-and-beets-parent-and-child-workout-age-group-3-tickets-59184383083?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Friday 3rd May : Giddy Studios : Messy Play & Canvas Painting : Age group – 1+

Eventbrite Link: www.eventbrite.ie/e/canvas-hand-footprints-class-friday-age-group-12-months-tickets-59181945793?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Saturday 4th May : Giddy Studios : Messy Play & Canvas Painting (due to popular demand a Saturday Messy Play session has been added) : Age group – 1+

Eventbrite Link: www.eventbrite.ie/e/canvas-hand-footprints-class-saturday-age-group-12-months-tickets-59182336963?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Sunday 5th May : Senseable Tots : Karen Anderson : Fun and Educational Sensory Class: Age Group – 2+

Eventbrite Link: www.eventbrite.ie/e/senseable-tots-fun-and-educational-sensory-class-age-2-tickets-59182676980?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Book now on the Eventbrite links above.

Check out Giddy Studios life on instagram giddystudios

For enquiries email: helena@giddystudios.com

https://www.facebook.com/events/313265172670292/

Grandparents go free at Imaginosity each term-time Tuesday

Tuesday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th May 2019

Imaginosity

Dublin Children’s Museum

Beacon South Quarter

Sandyford

Dublin 18

Don’t forget Grandparents go FREE each term time Tuesday at Imaginosity, Dublin Children’s Museum!

https://www.facebook.com/events/303347713843520/

Babies love Books – Tallaght Library

Every Thursday 10.00am – 11.00am

Tallaght Library

Tallaght

Dublin 24

Join us in the library every Thursday at 10.00am for our Babies Love Books sessions. Come along for this free hour of songs, stories and play! All welcome.

https://m.facebook.com/Tallaghtlibrary/photos/a.430553871702/10157057044211703/?type=3

Young Growers – Airfield Estate

Sunday 7th April – 10.00am – 12.30pm

Airfield Estate

Overhand Way

Dundrum

Dublin 14

This NEW class is designed for enthusiastic gardeners aged 5-8!

7th April: In our first workshop, children will tour the gardens of Airfield to learn about what’s growing at this time of year. They will learn about gardening routines and gardening tools and make their own mini terrarium to take home.

23rd June: In this workshop, our budding gardeners will learn how to identify herbs and other plants by sight, taste and smell. They will learn the culinary and medicinal uses of flowers and herbs and will make their own herbal infusion.

7th July: Bees and insects play a really important role in making sure we have delicious fruits and vegetables to eat. In this workshop, we will go into the garden to observe the world of bees, and learn how they make honey and why it is so important for us to protect them. We will also plant a bee-friendly flower to take home and hunt for bugs in the woodlands.

1st September: Most of the food we eat comes from the soil, so every aspiring gardener needs to know about the earth beneath our feet. In this workshop, we will investigate all things soil including carrying out a soil experiment and painting with soil.

If you would like to book all 4 classes at a reduced rate of €95 (€85 for members) please phone us on 01 969 6666, select option 1.

https://www.facebook.com/events/407862353126586/?event_time_id=407862356459919

Children Art Classes – Botanic Gardens

Saturday 11th May 11.00am – 12.30pm and 2.00pm – 4.00pm

*10 Euro per child. Booking Essential Call 01 857 0909*

Budding Artists

Join our ‘budding’ artists, a creative workshop especially for younger children taking place once a month, under the attentive eye of artist Niamh Synnott. Children are encouraged to take a closer look at the natural world all around them to inspire fun art-making activities. Suitable for 4 to 7 year olds.

Time: 11.00am-12.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre

Cost: €10. Booking Essential

Hardy Annuals

Why not join us for a guided discovery of the natural world where you can observe, engage, and be inspired by your surroundings. Participants in this art programme will be encouraged to use materials in fun and interesting ways while taking inspiration from the world of plants on show at Glasnevin. Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds.

Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre

Cost: €10. Booking Essential

https://www.facebook.com/events/814105685599269/

Forest Families at Dublin Zoo

Saturday 11th May 10.00am – 12.00pm

Dublin Zoo

Phoenix Park

Dublin 8

‘Forest Families’ is a new programme which takes place in our wonderful mini-forest called the Wild Space in Dublin Zoo. It is a fun hands-on family learning experience where you will discover lots about nature. Each session is different, so it is a good idea to come to all four, but individual sessions can be booked too. You and your little ones can learn about trees, biodiversity, pollinators and birds.

Forest Families is open to families with children aged between 4 and 12. In each session you will have facilitation from an expert teacher, work from a bespoke family worksheet and have lots of follow up activities to do in your local park. In each session you will be given a set of resources to help you discover more in nature.

Tickets can be bought in a bundle of 4 sessions

or on an individual basis.

Bundle: http://bit.ly/ForestFamiliesBundle

Individual dates: http://bit.ly/ForestFamiliesIndividual

https://www.facebook.com/events/2280602975305024/

The Teddy Bears Picnic + A Picnic on the Lawn – Wells House

Sunday 12th May 1.00pm – 5.00pm

Wells House and Gardens

Ballyedmond

Gory

Co Wexford

You do not need to buy a ticket for this event – only purchase a ticket for a Kid’s Picnic bag!

Teddies at Wells always put on a great party but this year they want you to join them for Picnics on the Lawn too! Make sure and visit Wells for this fantastic event and meet Goldilocks, dance your socks off at our kid’s disco with a BBQ & face painting too!

This year we will have a picnic tent on the terrace where you can buy one of our yummy kid’s picnics and sit amongst the daisies, with some games and cuddly friends!

Tickets are for picnics only so if you don’t fancy joining us in the picnic tent, there is no need to buy a ticket.

A kid’s picnic includes some yummy ham & cheese and chicken sandwiches, a cookie, jellies & capri sun!

More info at info@wellshouse.ie or call 053 9186737.

https://www.facebook.com/events/275350636686077/

Young Chef 2019 – Airfield Estate

Sunday 12th May 10.00am – 12.30pm

Airfield Estate

Overhand Way

Dundrum

Dublin 14

Is your child a budding chef or do they love to help you out in the kitchen?

Our kids’ cookery classes might be right up their street! All classes are suitable for 8-12 year olds who love all things food! Each class is based on a seasonal theme and will begin by exploring what’s available in the garden and will then move on to prepare and cook a selection of themed recipes.

Classes will be led by our education team in a relaxed and fun environment which will allow the children to see the process of food from farm to fork and get hands-on, learning kitchen safety and correct utensil care.

There is a charge of €25 per workshop (€22 for Airfield Estate members) and the day will run from 10 am – 12.30 pm.

If you would like to book all 11 classes for a reduced rate of €250 and €220 for Airfield Estate members, then please phone 01 969 6666 (options 1)

https://www.facebook.com/airfieldestate/photos/gm.370494380372925/1891393417634983/?type=3&theater

Harold’s Cross Community Festival

Harold’s Cross, Monday 13th May – Sunday 19th May 2019

Harold’s Cross Community Festival is an annual festival organised by Harold’s Cross Community Council and Harold’s Cross Business Association with the support of: Dublin City Council Crumlin Area Office, Dublin City Council Events, Dublin City Council Parks Department, Dublin City Council Children Services Unit, Terenure and Rathmines Gardaí, Civil Defence, the Russian Orthodox Community, Local Artists, Musicians and Local Businesses.

Lots of events in a number of locations in Harold’s Cross – culminating with the BIG Family Day in the Park on the afternoon of Sunday 19th May.

https://dublin.ie/whats-on/listings/harolds-cross-community-festival/

Tiny Tots Tuesday: Summer Singaling – EPIC

Tuesday 14th May 10.30am – 12.00pm

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Custom House Quay

Dublin D01 T6K4

This May we welcome back the sensational Singaling for a sunny Summer sing along.

We’ll be exploring music and play in these adorable workshops, so bring your little one along for a morning of fun, song and dance. We’re looking forward to hearing some tiny tunes!

There will be free tea and coffee provided by Bakehouse CHQ, as well as some lovely treats and a chance to sit back, relax and have the chats.

Participants at this event can also avail of a 20% discount on tickets to our museum and 20% off in our gift shop (discount does not apply to items already discounted). Just present your Eventbrite ticket or email at the check-out!

This event is suitable for children aged 6 months – 3.5 Years.

https://www.facebook.com/events/305416613481214/

Musical Baby Book Club with Music Generation dlr

Wednesday 15th May 10.00am – 11.00am

Children’s Library, Level 4, dlr LexIcon

Dlr Library

Haigh Terrace

Moran Park

Dun Laoghaire

Co. Dublin

All welcome.

Move, clap, wiggle and dance with music for this special musical Baby Book Club.

https://www.facebook.com/events/271547127069886/

Young Farmer Classes – Airfield Estate

Sunday 19th May 10.00am – 12.30pm

Airfield Estate

Overhand Way

Dundrum

Dublin 14

Perfect for animal lovers and outdoor explorers, we’re running a series of classes for young farmers aged 8-12.

Each class will focus on the farm animals at Airfield Estate. Our team will be working with the young farmers as they get hands-on with life on our farm, learning about our animals and how they’re cared for.

2019 classes will take place on;

Sunday 19th May

Sunday 21st July

Sunday 22nd September

Cost: €20 per workshop (€18 for Airfield Estate members) and each day will run from 10 am – 12 pm.

If you would like to book in for all 4 workshops please call us directly on 01 969 6666 and save.

https://www.facebook.com/events/487539231768275/

Battle For The Bay

Saturday 25th May – Sunday 26th May 2019

Bull Island

Dollymount Strand

Dublin

Battle for the Bay – the annual Dublin Kitesurfing and SUPing Competition is back. All ages are welcome – free entry for young and old! The concept of the Battle is very simple: Fun, Wind, Water… and Fun!!! The best riders in the country and from around the globe will come and compete in one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world: Dollymount Beach! Home to the Puremagic gang. This will be the 1st leg of the Irish Kitesurfing Association (IKSA) Tour.

The Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP) event continues to grow with even more racing formats, something to suit everyone. Join us for a very unique weekend at the beach! Everyone is welcomed, young and old, to join this amazing celebration of Irish Kitesurfing, SUP and beach Extravaganza!

If you want to learn about the sport, powerkite and SUP introductions will be offered by qualified instructors. There will be live music stages with great Bands and Djs playing all day long some cool tunes. And there’ll be plenty to eat at the Food Village. Plus Funfair Attractions and a Kids Zone and The Biodiversity Village for the kids. The Biodiversity Village is a exciting place to explore the wildlife of Dublin Bay with some very friendly Experts! Experience highly recommended for the family! So bring your picnic blanket, swimming trunks and suntan lotion (and maybe an umbrella just in-case) and come down to the beach!

https://dublin.ie/whats-on/listings/battle-for-the-bay/