A selection of events, activities and things to do in Ireland this weekend.
Galway Science & Technology Festival
The Festival runs to 25th November, with over 200 events taking place in schools throughout Galway city and county and will culminate in the amazing Science & Technology Exhibition on the NUI Galway campus on Sunday 25th November.
The festival concludes this weekend with Tea Dance by Little John Nee & The Tea Dance Triodem, Family Storytelling at Killruddery with Tom Muir and Music & Me on Sunday.
The 63rd Cork Film Festival finishes on Sunday after over 250 Irish and international features and shorts. This weekends events include Irish animation The Overcoat on Saturday morning with a special behind-the-scenes look with the cast and crew, the big-hearted animation Gordon and Paddy on Saturday afternoon and a selection of family-friendly shorts on Sunday.
Wild Lights is back at Dublin Zoo with an entirely new cast of illuminated giant silk lanterns. Spectacular new themes feature this year including Winter Wonderland, Celebrating China and The North Pole.
The Ballymaloe Craft Fair takes place this weekend with over a hundred craft, design and food stalls full of festive Christmas shopping and family fun.
The Dublin Book Festival will take place this weekend with Smock Alley Theatre as the festival hub with events taking place in different venues throughout the city including schools and libraries.
You can also follow the directions given to you by your pirate captain to find the treasure chests that are hiding in Temple Bar and then take refuge from the cold in the indoor winter garden at Smock Alley; curl up on beanbags with a book and warm drink, try your hand at writing your own story, browse the bookshop or take part in one of the free, fun storytelling sessions and workshops.
The emphasis of the Open Day in Castlebar on Sunday is on fun and learning with interactive shows and hands-on demonstrations from a huge range of industries including Scientific Sue, Exploration Dome, The Animal Encounter Zone with The National Reptile Zoo, Learn Robotics Workshop and many more.
Everything is free but tickets for shows will be provided on a first come first served basis.
NMI Ireland - Country Life: Travellers' Journey
Travellers’ Journey is a temporary exhibition exploring the rich culture, traditions and crafts of the Traveller community in the west of Ireland. It aims to showcase and encourage discussion and appreciation of the unique heritage and ethnicity of Travellers. The exhibition has been co-curated with the Western Regional Traveller Health Network and runs until the end of November during regular opening hours.
Sligo International Choral Fest
The Annual Sligo International Choral Festival is wonderful weekend of competition, concerts, workshops and more. There are competitions for a variety of choirs , including Equal Voices Female, Equal Voices Male, Gospel Choirs, Barbershop Quartets, School Choirs, with a Gala Concert and Grand Prix on Saturday night.
A unique opportunity to get up close and personal with animals that would normally only be seen on TV in Banagher Library on Saturday. Safe handling and small groups makes sure that children have the chance to learn close up about snakes, tarantulas and tortoises, among many other species.
Roscommon Arts Centre | The Dig
All his life Mac has wanted to be an Archaeologist, to be an expert in finding things and working out what they mean. But in a world where facts and figures mean so much more than fairy tale and fantasy, Mac has to dig deeper to prove what he finds is what he thinks it is. The two performaces on Saturday at 12:00 and 14:00 will delight and charm audiences young and old.
The 2018 Winter Craft Fair is being held in the beautiful ballroom at the Clayton Hotel, Sligo on Saturday from 12pm - 5pm. Admission is free but proceeds on the day will go towards Sligo Cancer Support Centre and St Brendan's NS & Autism Unit.
