The weather forecast may not be the most promising for the bank holiday weekend but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastic festivals and events going ahead.
We've compiled ten of the best free events going on across the country this weekend.
1) Spraoi
The Waterford-based festival has grown year on year and will grace the streets of Waterford City this weekend with a mixture of street art, music and even a parade.
The festival has a jam-packed lineup and runs from Friday, July 31st to Sunday, August 2nd and culminates with the festival parade on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m.
You can get more information about the festival here.
2) Art in the Open
Sticking in the South East and Wexford's 'Art in the Open' festival takes place this weekend as well. Stretching from July 27th to August 3rd the festival is Ireland's Plein Air Painting Festival.
From workshops to quick draw competitions there is loads going on across the model country this weekend and with over 200 artists travelling across last year with even more expected this time round.
The full list of events and where it's all taking place is available here.
3) Mary from Dungloe
Also running over the bank holiday weekend is the notorious Mary from Dungloe international festival. The competition will bring women from all over the world to Donegal for its 48th installment.
Noel Cunningham will present the winner and for the very first time it will be televised on Irish TV. For full details of the competition click here.
4) Birr Vintage Week and Art Festival
The annual vintage week goes into its 46th year with an opening parade that displays vintage, equestrian and community entries. The festival brings a lot of colour to the town and delves into its very rich history.
For more information on the festival click here.
5) Summer in Dublin
There's a host of events going on across the capital for the Summer in Dublin incentive but this Saturday, along with each Saturday up to August 28th there is a free family fun day along Henry Street.
The day will have activities like Giant Jenga, Giant Chess, Giant Connect 4 as well as face painting and balloon modelling.
More information on the day is available here.
6) The Hunt Museum
Exhibiting one of Ireland's greatest private collections of art and antiques, dating from the neolithic to the 20th century the Limerick museum houses around 2,000 works of art.
The museum has a rich history and displays an excellent collection. You can get all the details about the museum from their website.
7) The English Market
One of Ireland's most famous food markets is always good for a perusal. With a diverse range of grub on show it's hard not to get invested in the various foods.
There's so much to the market too, from traders to recipes it's a real place to discover your inner foodie.
8) The Ha'Penny Flea Market
Staying in the marketplace and on Lower Liffey Street in Dublin the Ha'Penny Flea Market has a huge variety of things on show from vintage clothes to vinyl records it's always well worth a look.
It's held in the Grand Social every Saturday from 12 til 6.
9) Fiestaval - Temple Bar Food Festival
Located in the heart of Dublin City the Temple Bar Food Festival takes place on the second and third of August in The Meeting House from 12 noon to 6 p.m. each day.
The festival will celebrate all things food in the area including five family owned restaurants.
10) Yoga in the Park
Whether you're into it or not there are few better places to get some exercise than in St. Stephen's Green. The classes are free but they are donation based with a selected charity benefiting every week. Here are the details for the classes.
11) Tread Softly
Sligo's festival celebrating W.B. Yeats will sprawl over the bank holiday weekend and an intersting free event in the festival is their readings of Yeats work in the locations that inspired them. On Saturday and Sunday August 1 and 2 there will be readings of 26 plays across 26 locations. More information on the festival can be found here.
12) National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum covers a lot with their exhibits. They are broken into four main collections. Antiques, art and industry, folklife and natural history are all on show. The museum is spread across four locations, three of which across Dublin and another based in Mayo.
All information on the museum is available here.
