Dublin Autumn events

If you’re quick off the mark, you might just grab a few last minute tickets to one of the many shows on offer at the Dublin Theatre Festival which ends its two week run this weekend. Desire under the Elms and the Rape of Lucrece among others still running at city centre venues.

Next week if you fancy digging your past out of the family closet or just tracing your roots then you can avail of the Back To Our Past exhibition and talks by genealogy experts in Ballsbridge for a free Autumn treat.

And while there may not be as many shades of grey as in previous Senior events, the RDS will be awash with colour of all sorts at the Senior Times Over 50’s Show next week.  Hobbies, lifestyle events, antiques (those of the fixed variety) and more await those with grey pounds to spend.

With over a century since his death, (Abraham) Bram Stoker continues to fuel plenty of literary discussion and imaginings from beyond the grave. In a timely pre Halloween event, this 3 day excuse to get the black cape out, polish the fangs and drink as many bloody Marys as you like is just upon us at the end of October.

Of course for those who like a more regular dose of cultural or musical medicine, the Bodhran Experience trad sessions beat to their own drum every Thursday night in Monkstown. The Belvedere trad nights showcase Irish dance from old to new while live trad and folk is within shouting distance at the many Dublin hostelries in the city centre, in particular in and around Temple Bar.

If you can clear that frog from your throat, seize the moment at An Góilín, a traditional singers’ club (careful with the spelling) for unaccompanied singing in any language every Friday at this Parnell street venue.

The Dublin Marathon tales place on the October bank holiday at the end of the month with thousands of runners from all over Europe and beyond expected to run their little socks off to keep warm in and around Georgian Dublinand the Phoenix Park. For a less strenuous sightseeing tour of the city, we recommend the bus.

For wildlife of a different kind and definitely less nocturnal, check out the Green Trails of Dublin  Nature Trail Walks which take place over 2 hours with guides helping you take a different perspective on the city every Weds during October. Keep warm and learn something new.

The wonderful Chester Beatty Library hosts an Arts of the Book exhibition with hundreds of objects from across Asia, North Africa, the Middle East and Europe throughout October and beyond in the peaceful surrounds of Dublin Castle, an oasis of calm right in the heart of the city

And the Shackleton Endurance Exhibition continues in Dun Laoghaire right up to the end of November with photos and information about this cracking story from almost a century ago.

For city centre five star luxury hotels to cater for your every need during the Lunasa festive season, check out the great offers from our selection of hotels below.