50 free days out this summer
Kinsale’s summer arts festival pulls a focus on vice and virtue in Irish society through a mix of music, art, literature, drama, food and family activities. Lunchtime concerts at Friary Church, art exhibitions and a bookish treasure hunt are just some of the free events.
* Details: kinsaleartsfestival.com; Jul 7-15.
A re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party on the famine ship, Dunbrody, is the highlight of New Ross’s Jul 4th celebrations, and there are plenty of free activities too. Another US Independence Day festival is running in Limerick.
* Details: irishamericaday.com; 4thjulylimerick.com.
The Science Gallery doesn’t do boring. Its summer show promises to apply the hacker mindset to Dublin, with exhibits including stealth underwear, robot drones and hijacked billboards. No need to hack your way in, either — the gallery is always free to visit.
* Details: sciencegallery.ie; Jun 22- Aug 8.
West Cork’s offshore islands are teaming up to offer reduced rates on activities, services and accommodation this weekend. Bring your own boat, and the walking and cycling on Roaringwater Bay’s outposts is as free as you like.
* Details: discoverireland.ie/islands; Jun 23-25.
Woodland trails, a quality playground, a craft courtyard and plenty of picnic areas are the makings of a fab free day out on the former Wandesforde family estate.
* Details: discoverypark.ie.
You don’t have to pay five-star prices for seafood to enjoy Doonbeg’s annual festival. Currach races, puppet shows and face painting are all on the menu too.
* Details: doonbegseafoodfestival.com; Jul 20-22.
Bike or hike your way around Killarney’s magical mountain landscape without spending a cent. When you’re finished, hit the country’s five remaining national parks — at Connemara, Glenveagh, the Burren, Ballycroy and Wicklow Mountains.
* Details: npws.ie.
The good news is that Sligo’s arts festival features visual arts, pub and café concerts and a sensational Shelly River boat race. The better news is that they’re all free.
* Details: cairdefestival.com; Jul 1-8.
Sadly, donkeys continue to be abandoned and neglected all over Ireland. Happily, many find a home amongst the farm walks at this free sanctuary in Liscarroll.
* Details: thedonkeysanctuary.ie.
Dunmore East is overflowing with fun, festivities and fish this weekend, with free events including a giant farmers’ market, Fun in the Park and the annual sand castle competition. If you’re curious about fish, pop into Tony Kelly’s — he’s answering questions all weekend.
* Details: waterford-dunmore.com; Jun 22-24
Admission is free to all four of Ireland’s national museums. This collection near Castlebar concentrates on folk life from 1850-1950.
* Details: museum.ie.
Playgrounds have taken a big evolutionary leap in the past generation. Visit the fantastic (and free) examples at Newbridge Demesne and Malahide Castle to find out just how big.
* Details: newbridgehouseandfarm.com; malahidecastle.com.
For one day only 38 buildings usually closed to the public in Cork will allow entry free of charge. Plan your heritage trail carefully — the opening hours are 10am to 6pm.
* Details: heritageweek.ie; Aug 18.
An Creagán is an interpretive centre on the site of a 10,000-year-old glacial esker near Omagh. Stone circles, duck ponds and forest trails are all free for families.
* Details: ancreagan.com.
Street spectacles by the likes of Macnas, Kamchátka and Catalan masters, Efimer, are the way to go if you’re looking to save money at Galway’s summer arts fest.
* Details: galwayartsfestival.com; Jul 16-29
By now, this trailblazing festival is in full swing, with free events including Corcadorca’s reading of Pat McCabe’s new play, The Stars of Bel Air, the festival market on Patrick Street, and John Burke and Simon Norfolk’s photographs from Afghanistan at the Crawford Gallery.
* Details: corkmidsummer.com; Jun 21-Jul 1
Whet your appetite for the London Olympics with a visit to sports physio, Gerard Hartmann’s, mouth-watering collection of memorabilia at the University Arena. A medal from Sonia O’Sullivan and vest signed by Usain Bolt are just the start of it…
* Details: universityarena.com.
Legend has it that Ireland’s second-longest river — The Barrow — has its source in an enchanted spring. You may not find that on this lovely loop near Rosenalis, but you will find a gorgeous waterfall spilling over several sandstone steps. An easy one for all the family.
* Details: slievebloom.ie.
On the first Wednesday of every month all OPW-managed heritage sites are free to visit. From Charles Fort in Kinsale to the State Apartments at Dublin Castle, from Muckross House to the Céide Fields, that’s quite a list to cover…
* Details: heritageireland.ie; Jul 4, Aug 1.
First Fridays is a free open night on the first Friday of every month at Blackrock Castle. Activities include lectures, space workshops for all ages, and free entry to Cosmos at the Castle.
* Details: bco.ie; Jul 6, Aug 3.
This brand new trail follows the Suir River Valley from Ormond Castle in Carrick-on-Suir to Cahir Castle and the Main Guard in Clonmel. The first two are free, and you can avoid the €3 entrance fee for the latter by showing up on the first Wednesday of the month.
* Details: discoverireland.ie/thebutlertrail.
Glasnevin’s botanic gardens are free to enter, and they run free exhibitions and kids’ activities — such as ‘pond dipping’ (exploring the diversity of insects living in and around the gardens’ pond). You can download a free audio tour too. Can’t say fairer than that…
* Details: botanicgardens.ie.
Dean Martin’s tux, Lady Diana’s wedding veils and Michael Jackson’s red vinyl shirt from his last public performance in the US are just some of the surprisingly stellar exhibits in this celeb collection at the Newbridge Silverware store in Kildare.
* Details: newbridgesilverware.com.
Doneraile House was where Elizabeth St. Ledger became the first lady Freemason, after being discovered eavesdropping on her father’s Masonic lodge in 1712. 300 years later, the 450-hectare estate is owned by the state, and you’ll discover it free to visit too.
* Details: heritageireland.ie.
Ballina is famous for its salmon fishing on the River Moy, hence this annual knees-up — which also incorporates the town’s street and arts festival. Lots of events are free.
* Details: ballinasalmonfestival.ie; Jul 8-15.
Despite winning a European Destination of Excellence Award, West Clare’s Loop Head remains under the radar. In one sense, that’s a shame, given stunning features like the Bridges of Ross and Carrigaholt Castle. In another, it isn’t — you’ll practically have the place to yourself.
* Details: loophead.ie.
Feeling spontaneous? Why not skip down to Lifetime Lab at the old Cork City waterworks, where a free science picnic takes place from 11am-4pm today.
* Details: lifetimelab.ie; Jun 23.
The streets of Killarney come alive during this summer shindig, with street performers, musicians and magicians entertaining at a free FunFest alongside the ticketed events.
* Details: killarneysummerfest.com; Jul 27-Aug 5.
Waterford’s electric street arts festival attracts some 100,000 people to the city every year. On Aug 5, the Saw Doctors play a free concert on the quay.
* Details: Spraoi.com; Aug 3-5.
Wicklow is spilling over with mountain walks, but this one has something for all ages. The forest trail features sculpture in woodland project, so walkers pass artworks inspired by the surroundings as they make their way towards a lovely waterfall.
* Details: coillteoutdoors.ie.
The 7th Annual Cork Pride Parade takes place on Sunday, Aug 5. Commercial and community floats will celebrate the various LGBT groups in the city, and everyone can pitch in to carry the centre-piece — a gigantic rainbow flag. The Pride Festival lasts a week.
* Details: corkpride.com; Jul 29 — Aug 6.
From guided tours of the gardens on Garinish Island to lunchtime lectures at the Royal Irish Academy, there are dozens of free events at National Heritage Week.
* Details: heritageweek.ie; Aug 18-26.
Children didn’t always have Wii, you know. The Berkeley Costume and Toy Collection at Rathfarnham Castle ranges from a rocking horse once used to teach children how to ride, to a 19th century dolls’ house (there’s a free playground too).
* Details: heritageireland.ie.
Cycling, walking, crafts and food — whatever your interests, there’s a free route through Kilkenny City and its surrounding towns and villages, courtesy of Trail Kilkenny.
* Details: trailkilkenny.ie.
Running over two weekends, this lakeshore festival continues to build towards the millennial Brian Boru celebrations of 2014. Pageants, parades, art exhibitions, ukulele troupes and fireworks are just some of the free events on a programme headed by Tommy Tiernan.
* Details: feliebrianboru.com; Jun 21 to Jul 1.
If you build it, they will come. And so it proved. The people of Mayo built a brilliant, 42km cycling trail linking Westport to Achill, and the visitors came — including An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who opened the Great Western Greenway a year ago.
* Details: greenway.ie.
Ireland’s oldest — and some would say wackiest — fair kicks off on Aug 10th in Killorglin. Expect all manner of street entertainment, including the coronation of the goat-king himself.
* Details: puckfair.ie; Aug 10-12.
95km of mountain bike trails crisscross the Ballyhoura Mountains, and provided you bring your own bike, they’re absolutely free to muck about on. Muck about being the operative term — prepare for hair to be raised, and faces to be absolutely splattered.
* Details: ballyhouramtb.com
Music, street theatre, exhibitions, kids’ activities and more, garnish the famous seafood platters at Kilmore Quay. The festival will be opened this year by Voice of Ireland star, Kiera Byrne.
* Details: kilmorequayseafoodfestival.com;
Jul 5-8.
The National Gallery isn’t just free to visit. Its Saturday children’s art workshops, colouring in the atrium and activity sheets are too. Prepare your inner Picasso…
* Details: nationalgallery.ie
The newly renovated Limerick City Gallery of Art houses a noteworthy collection of 18th to 21st century Irish Art. Afterwards, Pery Square and its playground are great for a runabout.
* Details: gallery.limerick.ie.
Reputed to be the most romantic garden in Ireland, Altamont opens daily from 9am to 7.30pm. It’s the flagship attraction on Carlow’s garden trail, and perfect for a date.
* Details: altamontgarden.com; carlowgardentrail.com.
Kerry’s newest visitor attraction is a €4.5m educational and activity centre bordering the Tralee Bay Nature Reserve. It has two zones — one of which is paid, and one of which is free and includes a light water sports lake, a ‘learn-to-fish’ lake, walks and a cycle-way.
* Details: traleebaywetlands.org.
Try sailing for free, watch the street acts, browse the continental markets and see the fireworks go off on Jul 4th at the latest addition to Galway’s packed festival calendar.
* Details: volvoocranracegalway.ie; Jun 30 — Jul 8.
You want to walk? There’s no better (or wilder) place than West Cork’s Sheep’s Head peninsula. Following an 88km network of old mass, school and fisherman’s trails around the Atlantic Coast, surprises include deserted villages, blowholes and hidden beaches.
* Details: thesheepshead.com.
Music, comedy, theatre and art are all on the cards at this annual festival, and there are plenty of pub gigs, street entertainment and other family events for free. Watch out for a festival celebrating 100 years of ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’ on the same dates, too.
* Details: junctionfestival.com; Jul 6-15.
If you haven’t visited Hook Lighthouse in a while, it’s time to return. The iconic light is today a multifaceted attraction, including a heritage centre, café, children’s art workshop and, on Jul 1, a free Pirate Festival. Dress up, and you get a free tour.
* Details: hookheritage.ie; Jul 1.
Michael D’s mansion is free to visit by guided tour from 10.15am to 4pm on Saturdays. Tickets to the President’s official residence can be picked up at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre in Ashtown Castle on the day of your visit.
* Details: president.ie.
There’s nowt freer than putting one foot in front of the other. And Waterford’s Comeragh Mountains are a beautiful place to do it, with highlights ranging from Mahon Falls to the corrie lake that will knock any National Geographic cover for six — Coumshingaun.
* Details: discoverireland.ie/Waterford.
The Dublin Mountain Partnership is making huge strides in getting people into the hills. Free guided walks include a 4km potter around Massey’s loop tomorrow (11am, meet at the Hell Fire car park) and 15km Tibradden hike on Jul 1st (11am, meet at Tibradden Car Park).
* Details: dublinmountains.ie; Jun 24, Jul 1.
NB: All information correct going to press, but times and prices are always subject to change and availability. Some inclusions may involve parking charges.
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