Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival

The Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival is an ‘up close and personal’ five day festival, where the audience, young filmmakers, internationally renowned directors, producers, and invited guest speakers all share the same space. Throughout the village of Schull, the festival hosts screenings, Q&A’s, premieres, workshops and discussions with international experts in the film industry. Over the weekend, the Family Fringe provides high quality entertainment for all the family, most of which is free. With live music, parties, quizzes and cafe viewing of shorts and feature length films night and day, you will always want to return to the beautiful seaside town of Schull. A short film festival without a cinema, this festival uses Distributed Cinema, Schull’s very own dedicated server to short film. The past six years of submitted films are available to view with a smart phone, laptop or tablet anywhere on Main Street Schull, over the five days of the festival, 24 hours a day. From a bookshop, to an art gallery, marquees, numerous local pubs and restaurants, the town hall or take the ferry to the Long Island Cinema, films are screened in every corner of the village. Take a break and Lie down at the Lido – rest on one of the colourful beanbags to enjoy the Ceiling Cinema.

When: 20 – 24 May 2015

Where: Schull, Co. Cork

 

The Sky Cat Laughs Comedy Festival

The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival held its inaugural edition in 1995 in response to the burgeoning wealth of Irish comic talent with no clear national outlet for expression. The festival has grown from a small event comprising a handful of shows to an internationally acclaimed festival which showcases the very best in Irish and international comedy acts, attracting visitors to Kilkenny city and its surrounding regions by combining world class entertainment with the atmospheric setting of a charming and intimate medieval city. The worldclass programme blends the top Irish and international talent in shows featuring globally renowned comic stars as well as newcomers and break through acts.

When: 28 May – 01 June 2015

Where: Various Venues in Kilkenny City

 

Ocean to City – Cork’s Maritime Festival

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór is Ireland’s friendliest rowing race and maritime festival attracting thousands of spectators each year. Taking place in Cork Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world, Ocean to City is a true flagship event celebrating Ireland’s unique maritime culture and heritage. The highlight of the festival, An Rás Mór (‘The Big Race’), draws hundreds of participants from all over the world competing in everything from traditional wooden boats, currachs, gigs and longboats to Chinese dragon boats, kayaks and canoes. More than just a race, An Rás Mór represents a personal challenge, a shared effort and a coming together of people who love these waters and love their boats. The Ocean to City Maritime Festival offers something for everyone. Watch a spectacular fleet of boats from the many vantage points along the race; then come aboard the harbour cruise; try some rowing and see the city like you’ve never seen it before; put together a team for our dragon boat challenge, or get creative with your children in the model boat competition! Many free family events are available throughout the week. Celebrating its 11th anniversary in 2015, the festival promises a maritime experience like no other. Whether you want to watch, try it out, take part or simply soak up the festival atmosphere, don’t miss this year’s Ocean to City!oceantocity.com

When: Saturday 30 May 2015

Where: Cork City & Harbour

 

Kerrygold Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food and Wine

The Kerrygold Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food and Wine is the first ever literary festival in Ireland dedicated to the celebration of food and wine. The inaugural event in 2013 brought 8000 people onto the grounds of Ballymaloe House and Cookery School, including national and international authors, chefs, foragers, educators, wine experts, gardeners, publishers, TV presenters, bloggers and journalists. It is a weekend filled with fascinating facts, inspirational stories, intriguing discussions, incredible knowledge, fantastic music, fabulous dancing and of course, delicious food and drinks. It is the only festival of its kind in Ireland and has created an important hub for food enthusiasts worldwide to meet and share ideas with each other.

When: 15 – 17 May 2015

Where: Ballymaloe House & Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry.

 

Exhibition On Screen: The Impressionists
What: From the Musée du Luxembourg Paris, National Gallery London and Philadelphia Museum of Art, lucky viewers can uncover the story of art’s greatest revolutionaries in this stunning screened exhibition at the Lighthouse Cinema this May. The works of Cezanne, Monet, Degas and their compatriots fetch tens of millions of dollars. But just who were they? Why and how did they paint? What lies behind their enduring appeal? To help answer these questions, this compelling film has secured unique access to a major new exhibition focussing on the 19th century Parisian art collector Paul Durand-Ruel, the outspoken champion of Impressionism. This eagerly anticipated exhibition is perhaps the most comprehensive ever held about the Impressionists, and is a must for any art lover.

Tickets: Full price €15 Concession €12

When: 26 May 2015

Where: Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin