14 things to See & Do in Ballyhoura Country this June!
With the Summer season fast approaching and the sunny weather brightening up our days (the sun making a very welcome appearance), Ballyhoura Country has a host of attractions and events taking place in June. From the June Bank Holiday weekend and throughout the month, there’s a plethora of festivals and attractions on offer, guaranteed to appeal to adventure seekers, music lovers, culture vultures, foodies and families.
1. Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh (June 1st – 5th)
Fans of Irish music will be flocking to Kilfinane on the June Bank Holiday weekend for the return of Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh, a weekend of Irish music, song, dance and craic galore! Experience traditional dancing at its best at the popular Hup na Houra on Friday 2nd, and soak in the atmosphere at the Open Air Concerts on Saturday 3rd (North Cregg) or Sunday 4th (Fuinneamh).
2. Doneraile Court Re-opening:
Recently reopened Doneraile Court is now open for guided tours from Wednesdays to Sundays and Bank Holidays. The house is the stunning centrepiece of one of Ireland’s most beautiful estates, and for the first time, the public will be able to visit the newly refurbished first floor of the palatial 17th-century building.
The OPW has partnered with the Crawford Art Gallery to share significant works from the Gallery’s collection at Doneraile. A truly special experience for culture vultures and art lovers alike!
There is also an amazing line up of events at Doneraile Court for the 2023 season. To kickstart the programme with the Talk by Dr Susan O’Regan about Music & Society in Cork, 1700-1900 on Sunday 18th June at 4pm. Tickets for this illustrated talk are available at www.eventbrite.ie.
3. Doneraile Park & Gardens Guided Tours (4th June)
Following a successful series last year, Ballyhoura is launching a series of very special guided tours of Doneraile Park & Gardens for the 2023 season with exclusive access to the 17th century private Pleasure Gardens, Parterre, and Walled Gardens, kicking off on Sunday 4th June. This series of guided tours are led by the knowledgeable Doneraile Local Tour Guides and incredibly talented members of the Doneraile Drama Society Group, who will be narrating some of the Estate’s history in period costumes, dressed as characters from the Estate’s history such as Edmund Spenser, Queen Elizabeth I and Elizabeth St Leger, The Lady Freemason.
Come and enjoy this unique event filled with pageantry, history and storytelling in the picturesque Doneraile Estate’s surroundings.
4. Friars Gate Theatre Schedule (June):
Friars Gate Theatre in Kilmallock has a jam-packed calendar of theatre and music performances in June, with highlights including Luka Bloom (10th); Sense and Sensibility (22nd) and the 10th year anniversary tour of Fred & Alice (30th): https://visitballyhoura.com/events/friars-gate-theatre-events
5. The Schoolyard Theatre
Downtown Movies brings the big screen experience to the intimate setting of the School Yard Theatre in Charleville. Monthly screenings of an eclectic mix of old and new movies will cater to all tastes. The Schoolyard Theatre
6. An Afternoon at Saint George’s - 25th June
Located in the former Church of Ireland parish church in Mitchelstown, the Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre is hosting an afternoon of guided tours on June 25th (2.30pm – 5pm), featuring refreshments and live music by local artists.
7. Rockbarton Dog Show - 11th June
Rockbarton Garden Centre is hosting its annual Dog Show on Sunday, 11th June. The Dog Show will run in conjunction with their Farmers Market, where they host a wide range of artisan food and craft stalls. You can find the timetable and various classes on their event page: Rockbarton Dog show
8. Charleville Agricultural Show 2024(Saturday the 29th
and Sunday the 30th)
Another family favourite destination is the Charleville Agricultural Show. The best two-day agricultural show in the country offers a host of events to enjoy, ranging from arts & crafts and children’s competitions, to the judging of cattle, horses, sheep, dogs and horticulture competitions: https://www.charlevilleshow.com
9. Ballyhass Bunkhouse Village
The Ballyhass Adventure Group has opened a brand-new accommodation experience, the Ballyhass Bunkhouse Village, which promises to redefine adventure holidays in Munster! Featuring 22 purpose-built bunkhouses, the village offers affordable and comfortable accommodation options, catering to all group sizes, including a state-of-the-art Nordic tipi! It’s the perfect way to chill out with friends and family after an action-packed day of activities. Guests at Ballyhass Bunkhouse Village will have access to a wide range of exciting activities, including wakeboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and much more.
Bookings for Bunkhouse Village are now open for June weekends and throughout July and August. To book your stay at Bunkhouse Village and learn more about the adventure activities offered, please visit READ MORE
READ MORE
10. Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails:
Perfect for anyone wanting an active experience or break, Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails boasts Ireland’s most extensive mountain bike trail network. The trails recently benefitted from significant upgrades made by Coillte, and now feature trails to suit all cyclists, from novice cyclists looking for a fun way to start their mountain biking experience to more experienced riders looking for fresh challenges and routes. There’s something for everyone to enjoy! https://visitballyhoura.com/explore/ballyhoura-mountain-biking
11. Ballyhoura Nature Trail:
If you’re looking for an activity that children will enjoy, look no further than the Ballyhoura Nature Trail. This 2km investigation has over 20 hidden creatures that kiddies have to uncover on their walk; a wonderful and interactive way for children to investigate the many creatures that live in the forest. The new Nature Trail is now open for everyone to visit, and can be found at the Ballyhoura Trail Head and Mountain Bike Centre. Visitors can download the Free Ballyhoura Trails Guide App to guide you through the walking, road cycling and mountain biking trails of Ballyhoura Country, as well as helping to find places to stay, eat and explore nearby.
https://visitballyhoura.com/explore/ballyhoura-nature-trail
12. Doneraile Art Fest 2023 (29th June – 3rd July)
From the return of old favourites like Súgán Stool Making and Felting and caricatures in the park, to new workshops including Willow Weaving, Relief Painting for Teens, Making a Fascinator and Childrens workshops, the line-up at this year’s Doneraile Art Fest has something for all the family to enjoy! A highlight of the weekend will undoubtedly be the highly anticipated Plein Air event at Anne’s Grove Gardens on Saturday 2nd July.
DONERAILE ART FEST 2023 SCHEDULE
13. Sunday Night Dancing at the Deebert House Hotel
What better way to end a weekend than by dancing the night away than at the Deebert House Hotel in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick! The popular Sunday Night Dancing at the hotel features different live music acts in June, including Declan Aungier (4th); Irish Night (6th); Colm Burke (11th) and Singing Jarvey (18th), guaranteeing some fun (and energetic!) nights of entertainment.
https://www.facebook.com/deeberthousehotel
14. Fawlty Towers Comedy Dining at Charleville Park Hotel
Get ready to enjoy the dinner event of the year, as Fawlty Towers Comedy Dining comes to the Charleville Park Hotel on June 16th and 17th. Combining food and classic comedy action, experience the mayhem as Basil, Sybil and Manuel look after guests in their inimitable style!
https://www.charlevilleparkhotel.com/concerts-events/
