HAPPENINGS:

National Heritage Week 

Sadie Cooper (3), Knocklyon, Twins, Katie and Mia Brady (6), Balbriggan and Saskia Pytlarz (5), Clontarf, are pictured at the launch of National Heritage Week. Coordinated by the Heritage Council since 2005, National Heritage Week has become Ireland’s largest cultural event. More than 2,000 events ranging from storytelling and gathering, iron forging and nature trails, to a medieval re-enactment and a special concert unlocking the sounds of Ireland’s ancient instruments, will take place across the country from Saturday, August 18 to Sunday August 26. The full National Heritage Week programme is available at www.heritageweek.ie

Big Grill Festival

Europe's largest BBQ & Craft Beer festival returns to Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, on August 16-19.

The festival celebrates the art of cooking with fire & smoke bringing chefs cooks and pitmasters from Ireland, UK and further along with over 20,000 visitors to smell, taste, discover and learn about all kinds of barbecuing, grilling, smoking, vegetables, meats, delicacies and drinks.

Over 20 restaurants join for the weekend, with the only rule being they must cook with live fire using natural charcoal and wood only; no gas or electricity.

Tickets cost from €18 per day to €29 for the whole weekend. See biggrillfestival.com for details.

Bark in the Park

This year’s Bark in the Park sponsored dog walk in Tymon Park on Sunday 19 will take place at a new starting location. Hosted by the Irish Blue Cross, it begins from Tymon Park North Entrance (beside the playground) and all four-legged, furry friends and their human families are invited to come along.

There will be an afternoon of fun, laughs and plenty of barks with Positive Dog Training hosting family friendly dog classes and training demos.

The classes and demos kick off at 2pm and the sponsored walk barks off at 3pm.

Story Collecting Weekend

EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, is looking for emigrant stories from people who have lived overseas and returned to Ireland, as well as those with emigrant family members or ancestors.

This a Story Collecting Weekend taking place in the museum from August 18-19. Bring along an object that symbolises your migration story. It can be anything; letters, clothes, recipes, art. The museum would particularly like to hear from new Irish communities. Admission free. Call 01-9060861 or email info@epicchq.com for more details.

Kilmainham Gaol for kids

A free guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol for children aged 8 -12 is taking place over the weekend on August 18-19. Explore the architecture of the prison and hear stories of crimes committed by children. An adult must accompany children and tours need to be booked in advance by emailing kilmainhamgaol@opw.ie

Mean Mary

International touring musician Mean Mary celebrates the releaseof  her new album, ‘Blazing’, in Dublin on Thursday, August 16. 

Mean Mary’s new Blazing Tour takes her to the Cobblestone at 77 North King Street. 

The American singer-songwriter’s performance at this music venue will feature the release of her new album, ‘Blazing’, and her new award-winning action novel. The show takes place at 9pm, and admission is €10. All ages are welcome.

100 years of suffrage

The Houses of the Oireachtas, in collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland and with special thanks to the Sheehy-Skeffington family, has opened ‘Votes for Women: Suffrage and Citizenship’, a new public exhibition that will run until October 19.

The year 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Representation of the People Act, which granted partial suffrage to Irish women. For the first time, women over the age of 30 could vote in parliamentary elections if they owned property, were the wives of property owners or were university graduates.

Following the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, and as a result of determined lobbying on the part of women’s groups, universal adult suffrage was granted.

Free public tours are available on weekdays beginning at 10.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Book in advance by contacting the Oireachtas at event.desk@oireachtas.ie or 01 618 3271 / 3781.

Palmerstown Camera Club

Palmerstown camera club are proud to announce the opening of a new exhibition in Lucan Library.

 The exhibition opened last Tuesday and will run until August 31. The exhibition contains up to 30 prints framed and mounted.

 There is also a competition to win a print by entering a competition naming your favourite print (don’t forget your phone number so they can contact you). At the end of the exhibition the winner will be picked and the framed image will be presented to them.

 If you have a moment drop in and see the exhibition in Lucan Library where admission is free.

Music and meditation 

A free Music and Meditation event will take place on Sunday, August 19 at the Hilton Dublin, Charlemont Place, Dublin 2, at 4pm.

Enjoy a vibrant session of meditation and Indian and Western music. For more details visit www.Freemeditation.ie