Weekend festivities to defy the rain

Dip in the Nip

Hundreds of people from around Ireland will strip bare and charge into the sea at undisclosed locations in Sligo, Clare, Cork and Meath at 8am on Sunday to raise money for cancer charities.

Half the money raised will stay with a local charity, with the rest going towards support projects for post-treatment patients and a scalp cooler fund for people who have had chemotherapy.

Participants must register by calling 086 173 3019 before finding out where the events will be held.

[ dipinthenip.eu ]

Drogheda Samba Festival

The Drogheda Samba Festival is under way this weekend, celebrating Brazilian, Latin and African music, dance and costume.

Indoor and open air gigs and workshops will take place until Sunday, and most events are free.

A samba mass will be held in the Augustinian Church at 1.15pm on Sunday before the carnival parade kicks off at 3.30pm, travelling along Fair St, Georges St, West St and Shop St, finishing up at Scotch Hall.

[ droghedasamba.com ]

Dublin Pride

The Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival continues until next weekend with a range of events across the city to celebrate diversity and create mutual respect.

Weekend highlights include a free walking tour of gay Dublin which departs from Merrion Square at 2pm today, and a family day, sports day and dog show at the football pitches in the Phoenix Park at 1pm tomorrow.

Shirley Temple Bar celebrates 15 years of bingo at the George on Sunday night, admission €5.

[ dublinpride.ie ]

Round Ireland Yacht Race

This year’s Round Ireland Yacht Race will begin in Wicklow town on Sunday. The race is a non-stop circumnavigation of Ireland by sea, which will take competitors between four and six days to complete.

Spectators can watch the 37 yachts make final preparations along the East Pier and South Quay on Saturday morning before the race begins from the lighthouse at the end of the East Pier at noon.

An online race tracker will follow their progress and alert the public 30 minutes before each boat is expected to cross the finishing line.

[ roundirelandyachtrace.ie ]

Cork Midsummer Festival

The Cork Midsummer Festival continues this weekend with music, theatre, dance and opera across the city.

Highlights include a performance of Gavin Bryars’ composition The Sinking of the Titanic accompanied by archive video footage by filmmaker Bill Morrison in Cork City Hall at 8pm tomorrow, and Everyman’s opera production of Pagliacci starring Irish soprano Cara O’Sullivan tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday at 8pm.

Tickets range from free to €35, and some shows are already sold out.

[ corkmidsummer.com ]