Each season, Dublin's National Concert Hall presents an International Orchestral Series. As it features some world-class performances led by distinguished conductors, you'll need to book tickets early to avoid disappointment.
Featuring over 30 performances, the National Symphony Orchestra Season for 2011/2012 takes place at Dublin's National Concert Hall. Principal conductor Alan Buribayev leads the orchestra in performances of works by Mahler, Mendelssohn, Strauss and Bach, among others.
The Dublin Dance Festival returns to the city's theatres, including The Ark, Abbey Theatre and Project Arts Centre. The Festival presents a select range of contemporary dance from Ireland and around the world.
Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland features a packed programme of classical, jazz, folk and world music in venues across Dublin. Book tickets early as the line-up includes guitarists of international repute.
The National Library of Ireland in Dublin presents a Yeats exhibition, The Life And Works Of William Butler Yeats (1865-1939). As the title suggests, visitors can learn about Yeats' life, family and the places and experiences that most inspired him.
Dublin gardening festival Bloom has blossomed into a popular event, attracting over 50,000 people to Phoenix Park. Take in the sights and scents of the gardens, floral displays and farmers' market, and enjoy the entertainment stages and family fun zone.
Several of Dublin's top restaurants and chefs host the Taste of Dublin Festival. More than 35,000 visitors sample the city's finest food and drink in the beautiful Iveagh Gardens, accompanied by jazz bands, dance and comedy, theatre and performing arts.
In 2012, the International Eucharistic Congress is hosted by the Archdiocese of Dublin at the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI. Events take place at Dublin's Croke Park and RDS, with the celebration of the Eucharist at its heart.
Dublin celebrates the life and works of James Joyce with the Bloomsday Festival. Enjoy Joyce readings, performances, breakfasts, walks, conferences and visits to the pub at the James Joyce Centre and other Dublin venues.
The Street Performance World Championship returns to Dublin's Merrion Square and other city-centre spaces. Past events have included daring sword-swallowing acts and comedy at the Street Performance Laughing Castle.
Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at Croke Park in Dublin as they tour Europe in support of their latest album, I'm With You, their tenth studio album to date. Expect hits old and new.
Feel the peace, love and unity at the Dublin City Soul Festival, a positive celebration of all things soulful. Choose your favourite vibe from a packed programme of music, DJs, soul cinema, comedy and soul food at various Dublin venues.
The annual Dublin Writers Festival has grown from a celebration of contemporary Irish writing into a fully fledged international event. Past visitors here have included Roddy Doyle, Kevin Myers, Rageh Omaar, Joseph O'Connor, Jackie Kay, Iain Sinclair and John Waters.
Small Lives - Photographs of Irish Childhood 1880-1970 features images drawn from the National Library of Ireland's collection. The 50 photographs range from formal studio portraits of children of the landed classes to realist images of city kids in the 1880s.
Acceptance of the gay and lesbian scene has taken a bit of the edgy excitement out of the Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival. However, it still packs more fun into the season than you can shake a freedom banner at.
One of the world's largest all-female sporting events, the Women's Mini Marathon takes place along the streets of South Dublin. Around 40,000 women walk, jog, trot or skip the 10km course for charity.
This Rose Festival is held in St Anne's Park & Rose Garden in Dublin. Explore the horticultural exhibitions and trade and craft stands, join guided walks around the gardens, or enter competitions.
Dublin's Carlsberg Comedy Carnival features a local and international line-up of stand-up comedians at marquees in The Iveagh Gardens. Expect to be served some hilarious and risqué performances and plenty of cold beer.
One of the world's top equestrian events, the Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society offers a huge prize fund and is an important marketplace for Irish horse breeders. There is always top-class showjumping on the final day.
The Argentine Tango Festival returns to Dublin with a passionate programme of films, workshops and concerts held at venues throughout the city. Don't miss tango teachers Rodrigo Palacio and Agustina Berenstein, as well as guest musicians from Argentina.
The Guinness All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final, played at Croke Park Dublin, is the biggest hurling game of the year. Hurling is not only the oldest game in Ireland, but also one of the oldest in the world.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin presents the Ned Kelly Series of paintings by renowned Australian artist Sidney Nolan. Painted from 1946 to 1947, the works follow the main story of Ned Kelly, depicting various exploits of the notorious bushranger.
The All-Ireland Senior Football Final, at Croke Park in Dublin, is the climax of Ireland's most popular sporting season. On match day the fantastic stadium is full to the rafters, creating an unparalleled atmosphere.
Some of the best Irish and international sculpture is on show at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin. The Sculpture in Context event is showcasing more than 100 diverse large and small contemporary pieces throughout the gardens.
Dublin Culture Night promises an evening of entertainment across the capital for the whole family. You can expect everything from late-night openings at galleries, poetry readings and filmmaking workshops to building tours and dance performances.
The Dublin Fringe Festival presents two fantastic weeks of theatre, dance, comedy and visual arts, showcasing several new Irish acts around the city. Stages include disused shops, galleries, pubs and clubs, as well as the more standard city spaces.
The best of Irish acting is on display throughout the city during the annual Dublin Theatre Festival. An international array of companies perform both original works and new productions of old favourites from Ireland and around the world.
The Dine in Dublin - Restaurant Week offers you the chance of eating in some of the Irish capital's finest restaurants at discount prices. Save space for some of the delicious desserts on offer. Bookings can be made through the event's website.
The complete home consumer exhibition, the Ideal Home Show takes over the Royal Dublin Society twice a year. Numerous displays offer the latest and greatest in things to do with the house, garden and differing lifestyles.
The Dublin Marathon was first run in 1980 and now attracts around 11,000 pairs of legs every year. It takes in many of Dublin's historic Georgian streets, starting in Fitzwilliam Square East and ending in Merrion Square.
Are you interested in Irish literature? Even more interested in drinking pints? This much-loved Dublin Literary Pub Crawl takes you through a number of famous pubs with literary connections, while actors provide witty performances and commentary between stops.
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) hosts the annual Mind Body Spirit Festival. Visitors can stock up on natural and organic products, discover unusual forms of movement and meditation and learn more about complementary healing practices.
The historic Royal Dublin Society (RDS) hosts the annual Art Fair. The fair aims allows galleries and artists to meet collectors. Over 100 galleries and artists attend the event, bringing a range of media, including paintings, sculptures and prints.
The Dublin Book Festival celebrates the best of contemporary Irish publishing and writing with events at City Hall, National Library and other venues. You can catch dozens of the country's established authors, poets and journalists in the UNESCO City of Literature.
Stock up on Christmas presents at the National Crafts & Design Fair in Dublin's RDS, with work by around 450 artists, designers and craftspeople from all over the country. Expect everything from silk work and ceramics to candles and chocolate.
Dublin's most famous race meeting, the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse, begins on St Stephen's Day with the Bord na Mona Novice Chase. The four-day meeting is completed by Paddy Power Dial A Bet Chase, Lexus Chase and Festival Hurdle Day.
The 7Up Winter Wonderland at Dublin's Royal Hospital Kilmainham is a fun, seasonal event featuring Ireland's largest covered ice rink and a Christmas circus. There are also thrill rides, fairground attractions, a Christmas market, cafes, bars and much more.
Dublin gets into the festive mood early with heaps of fun-filled activities and events. Santa comes to the Jervis Shopping Centre, the Christmas lights go on in Henry Street, Grafton Street and South William Street and Brown Thomas unveil their seasonal window.
The MCR Hurdle is the first major Irish race of the new year at Leopardstown Racecourse. Combined with the social allure of National Hunt Racing, it offers an exciting day at the races.
The BHP Irish Championship Hurdle at Leopardstown Racecourse is a recognised Smurfit Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham Festival) trial. On race days like this, thousands of turf-lovers flock to the course to enjoy one of the nation's favourite pastimes.
The Temple Bar TradFest brings a line-up of Irish music favourites and some exciting new talent to The Ark, along with other Dublin venues. As well as concerts, there are workshops and films at the Button Factory and Project Arts Centre.
Dublin celebrates Chinese New Year with a mixed programme of open-air spectacles and events at various venues. Expect lectures, craft workshops, sports, art and design exhibitions, as well as events focusing on the connections between Ireland and China.
Dublin's St Patrick's Festival is the country's largest annual event, with several days of street theatre, fireworks, music, dance, a treasure hunt and visual art exhibitions. The main event is the St Patrick's Festival Parade, which starts in Parnell Square.
Since 1986, the annual Dublin International Film Festival has hosted premières, new releases, classics and small-budget films. You can catch a wide range of both Irish and foreign film screenings all over central Dublin.