Ireland Lifestyle 2026: Culture, Food & Social Life

Whether you're an experienced collector or completely new to the hobby, Ireland Card Show is a fun, welcoming Come explore everything from technology and ecosystems Review of Travel to teach to the special science week theme of water and its vital role in our world.Meet an amazing line-up of DGW2026 presents a special series of exhibitions and events that showcase the creative and dynamic energy of Irish contemporary art, reinforcing Dublin’s cultural leadership on the European stage.

The International Dublin Tattoo Convention is Ireland's premier annual celebration of tattoo culture, bringing over 250 top international and local artists together at the RDS Main Hall. In this Performance Symposium we will collapse the borders between the internal human experience and the external lived experience — Events range from author in-conversations, panel discussions, book launches and literary walking tours, to creative workshops, professional development events, and a full free family and schools’ programme. Dublin Book Festival is one of Ireland’s biggest and most dynamic literary festivals, celebrating Ireland's writers, illustrators and publishers.

Rugby clubs at all levels are very welcoming to newcomers (you don't need to be a hero to join a local club team). Rural areas and some religious communities hold more conservative views, but broadly Ireland is a welcoming and safe environment for LGBTQ+ expats. Yes – Ireland was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote (2015) and has consistently progressive LGBTQ+ legislation. Sea kayaking, coasteering, and wild swimming are increasingly popular. Four Nobel laureates in literature, global musical icons from U2 to Westlife, and a tradition of storytelling, theatre, and visual arts that punches well above its weight.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael support plunges to record low as Sinn Fein top poll

• As Other Voices heads for Dingle and its 25th edition, Home sets the journey in motion at St. James's Gate with an intimate night of music and song in the heart of the Liberties.
• Soaps Hollyoaks star is dating her on-screen brother in real life
• Myra has fallen on hard times and is now homeless living on the streets of Dublin.
• Some towns even have local American football leagues.
• Travel aboard the Spookwood Express, venture deeper into the forest, and discover a spellbinding experience filled with surprises, laughter, and Halloween wonder.

Guinness Choir presents Bach’s Christmas Oratorio alongside festive favourites—a joyful celebration of timeless Christmas music. It promises to be a very special celebration of music, tradition, and the festive season. Produced as always by the brilliant TheatreworX Productions, NEVERLAND promises a swashbuckling mix of festive fun, magical mischief, and spectacular adventure for the whole family. The event will feature a chilling House of Horrors Haunted house, live entertainment on the big stage and fun activities for young people, families, and the wider community. Located in the heart of North Dublin, our rink offers festive fun for all ages, from family days out to seasonal date nights.

Selective Memory presents TEED (DJ SET)

Kilmallock manager James “Bomber” Hickey hailed the never-say-die attitude of his players as they finished with aplomb to see out this Limerick SHC final victory. BOSS spoke with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox after the defeat to Bournemouth. Further weather warnings issued as 18,000 left without power after Storm Boelo Man United battered by Bournemouth to leave Carrick on the brink When the Shamrocks players gathered on Friday evening for their last meeting before the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship final, there was a picture waiting for them in the room.

Lumo Club @ Hang Dai

Sleeping With The Enemy star, Patrick Bergin, chats to Brigid Boden, IrishETV, about his latest role on BBC Eastenders, working with Julia Roberts, his new music release, Crazy in Love, and staring in Native by Linda Bhreathnach. Director Keely Shaye Brosnan and executive director Pierce Brosnan chat with Brigid Boden IrishETV about their movie, Poisoning Paradise, screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival CA. RTÉ's new true crime series tells the story of five sisters who took on the IRA Celebrity Clodagh McKenna reveals husband Harry is eyeing up an Irish passport Soaps Hollyoaks star is dating her on-screen brother in real life

Fair City spoilers: Denise cuts ties with Carol

• Journey through the Haunted Trail, encounter playful characters and surprises, and discover ancient Samhain traditions in The Samhain Forest.
• Across four enchanted days, children and adults can take part in Spell Jar Making and Wand Making Workshops inspired by medieval traditions.
• A wide variety of sports are played throughout the island, with the most popular being Gaelic football, hurling, soccer, rugby union, and golf.
• British and satellite-carried international television channels have widespread audiences in the Republic.
• This unforgettable production of Joyce's masterpiece takes place in the rich historical interior and unseen rooms of UCD Newman House.
• There are also several news websites including The Journal, RTÉ News, BreakingNews.ie and Extra.ie.

As the veil thins at Samhain, join us for a journey through the hidden folklore, horrors and spirits of our house on St Stephen's Green. Highlights include Halloween history tours, creative workshops, Fright Night Bingo, Songs for Samhain and a candlelight reading of Bram Stoker’s Dracula’s Guest. A fun-filled family event, audiences are encouraged to come in costume, with prizes for the best dressed at selected performances—making it the perfect Halloween treat for children and gro Join Little Red as she journeys through the enchanted forest on her way to visit her fabulous D’ Granny.

The show is produced by Showbiz Productions, led by Andrea Kavanagh of The Showbiz Academy, whose work with young performers and family entertainment has made her a familiar name in Irish stage circles. Starring Nicole Filan as Rapunzel, the production promises a warm, funny and family-friendly show for children, parents, grandparents and anyone who loves a proper Christmas outing in the city. Celebrating 22 magical years at 3Olympia, it’s become a must-see tradition f

Magherafelt end Newbridge’s hat-trick ambitions to take Derry SFC title

A guide of What's On in Dublin now, including event listings, shopping, festivals in the city and much more… Rapunzel lets down her hair in the heart of Dublin for festive panto magic at The Ambassador Theatre. Enjoy a warm, uplifting programme of choral music that brings together timeless tradition and some sing-along festive favourites. Join the Guinness Choir for a joyful Christmas celebration, featuring highlights from Bach’s magnificent Christmas Oratorio alongside a selection of much-loved seasonal classics. Join us for a wonderful evening of music as we bring Handel’s much-loved masterpiece to life, featuring its stirring choruses, beautiful arias, and unforgettable Hallelujah Chorus.

In Northern Ireland the main terrestrial television stations are the main UK wide channels BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. During the 1990s and particularly the early 2000s, dozens of local radio stations have gained licenses. Among the best-selling Irish magazines are the RTÉ Guide, Ireland's Eye, Irish Tatler, VIP, Phoenix and In Dublin.citation needed The Irish magazine market consisting of international magazines, ranging from Time and The Economist to Hello! There are also two weekly papers, the Northside People and Southside People that cover local topics in the capital. Curiously Dublin remains one of the few places in Ireland without a major local paper since the Dublin Evening Mail closed down in the 1960s.

Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote returns following riotous presentations in 2025 of Sing a Song of Murder. The cult hit event Solve-Along-A-Murder, She Wrote returns to Dún Laoghaire for Halloween with an interactive screening of the spooky Murder, She Wrote episode "A Witch’s Curse". The Liberties Haunt brings Halloween to the heart of Dublin 8 on Saturday 31 October, with an evening of creepy circus clown Halloween fun! Dockers and Demons Halloween festival bringing the community together in the heart of Ringsend and Irishtown! Attendees can shop from a variety of makers and small businesses, while enjoying a FREE fun-filled atmosphere designed for all ages. Join us for Tallaween in Parthalán Place, Tallaght (Fri 30th Oct) from 12pm – 6pm & Spookdalkin in Brú Chrónáin, Round Tower Visitor Centre in Clondalkin (Sun 1st Nov) from 12.30pm – 5.30pm – frightful fun guaranteed!

Farming and rural tradition

• Irish ghost stories and funerary traditions travelled with the Irish diaspora and often became entangled with local customs to form entirely new traditions over the centuries.
• Director Keely Shaye Brosnan and executive director Pierce Brosnan chat with Brigid Boden IrishETV about their movie, Poisoning Paradise, screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival CA.
• The decline is said to be linked to reports of Catholic Church sexual abuse cases in Ireland.citation needed
• For 366 years, the George V Bridge has connected the historic city of Orléans to its south bank across the Loire.
• "Clubbing" has become a popular phenomenon amongst young people in Ireland during the celtic tiger years.

Steven Van Zandt tells IrishETV / Brigid Boden during the U2 red carpet event at The Apollo Theatre in NYC how much he admires U2 and the magic of performing at the historic Apollo theatre with Bruce Springsteen. Supermodel Christy Turlington, actor Ed Burns and TV producer/host Andy Cohen chat to IrishETV Brigid Boden during U2 red carpet event at the Apollo Theatre in NYC hosted by Sirius XM. Proud of his Irish heritage and love of Ireland, Josh Brolin learns to speak Irish on IrishETV after watching Colin Broderick's movie, Emerald City, hosted by Irish Screen America LA. 2FM'S Carl Mullan bursting with pride as wife Aisling takes on major challenge The top crime/horror podcasts that will be certain to make you quiver this Halloween

• The UK’s biggest and most popular day time club event Day Fever is coming back to Dublin on Saturday, November 7th at the Academy, Dublin!
• MOVING SIGNATURES returns for a new series uniting Slow Looking art tours and movement workshops in response to works in IMMA’s new exhibition, TECHNOLOGIES OF PEACE.
• A journalist once described the Irish as a “Mediterranean people who got stuck too far north.” There’s truth in that.
• The most popular of these are the annual Dublin Saint Patrick's Day Festival which attracts on average 500,000 people and the National Ploughing Championships with an attendance in the region of 400,000.
• Join us this Halloween at Dublinia for a family-friendly event full of history, magic and creativity.

Temperatures are ten-year average daily highs; “wet” is average days with rain. July is the warmest month (19°C average high) and January the driest (12 rain days). We update our Dublin events database daily to ensure you never miss the latest additions to the city's cultural calendar. Get our free Thursday email with the best Dublin events for the weekend ahead. See what's on in Dublin with the Visit Dublin guide to highlights and must-see events taking place over the coming days and weeks…

In terms of Satellite-carried channels in Northern Ireland these are the same as for the rest of the United Kingdom including all Sky channels. Other popular papers include The Sunday Times (Ireland Edition), The Business Post, The Irish Mail on Sunday and the Sunday World. A wide variety of sports are played throughout the island, with the most popular being Gaelic football, hurling, soccer, rugby union, and golf. A significant recent change to pub culture in the Republic of Ireland has been the introduction of a smoking ban, in all workplaces, which includes pubs and restaurants.

In the 21st century, the modern selection of foods common to Western cultures has also to some extent been adopted in Ireland. The seeds of knotgrass and goosefoot were widely present and may have been used to make a porridge.citation needed Several other languages are spoken on the island, including Shelta, a mixture of Irish, Romani and English, spoken widely by Travellers.

There are also a number of Summer Schools on topics from traditional music to literature and the arts. Ireland is well supplied with museums and art galleries and offers, especially during the summer months, a wide range of cultural events. Ireland has also proved a popular location for shooting films with The Quiet Man (1952), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Braveheart (1995), King Arthur (2004) and P.S.

Each of the five workshops takes a different theme as its starting point, and starts with a Slow Looking art tour of selected Unstable realities resemble our wildest imagination in this absurdist spectacle – writ large and set loose on the national stage. Tales from the Pale celebrates all things horrific – learn about the city’s ghosts and ghouls as you journey along the stadium’s rooftop walkway. A wickedly funny Halloween spectacular for all the family! Join us for the annual #CivicSpooktacular this Halloween with more magic and mayhem than you can imagine! Learn about witches Carve your own pumpkin🎃 Make Halloween pottery Walking tours Catch fascinating lectures in Dublin pubs Hear spine-tingling stories Explore Halloween art workshops Live podcasts Wander the Halloween market Visit

Other practices in Ireland include lighting bonfires, and having firework displays. There are also tales of the pooka and banshees, among others.citation needed The decline is said to be linked to reports of Catholic Church sexual abuse cases in Ireland.citation needed Amongst the Republic of Ireland's Roman Catholics, weekly church attendance has declined sharply over the past few decades, from 87% in 1981, to 60% in 1998, to 30% in 2021. The 1st of February, known as St. Brigid's Day (after St. Brigid, one of the patron saints of Ireland) or Imbolc, also does not have its origins in Christianity, being instead another religious observance superimposed at the beginning of spring. These parades are colourful affairs with Orange Banners and sashes on display and include music in the form of traditional songs such as "The Sash" and "Derry's Walls" performed by a mixture of pipe, flute, accordion, and brass marching bands.