Best gigs and festival across Ireland this bank holiday weekend

The bank holiday weekend live music scene is anything but lacking.

Here we are, at another bank holiday weekend, and what feels like the beginning of the outdoor gig season.

From a trio of top gigs in St Anne's Park, to a plethora of festivals marking the official start of summer, we've got all the info you need.

Open Ear

Thursday, May 28 to Sunday, May 31, Sherkin Island, Cork

If your bank holiday plans still aren’t sorted, Open Ear Festival is taking over Sherkin Island in Cork this weekend for four days of beautifully weird electronic and experimental music.

The festival’s tenth anniversary line-up includes EMA & SGT Pokes, Chris Imler, Jabu & Memotone, Eomac & Saint Abdullah and o.utlier.

Amble

Friday, May 29, St Anne's Park, Dublin

The Irish folk trio re set to play to around 20,000 fans at St Anne's Park this Friday, with support from Foy Vance and Joshua Burnside.

Fans can expect favourites like Lonely Island, Mariner Boy, Of Land and Sea, Tonnta and Little White Chapel.

Forbidden Fruit

Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin

Forbidden Fruit Festival returns to Royal Hospital Kilmainham this bank holiday weekend with a stacked line-up including Kaytranada, KETTAMA, Nia Archives, Joy Crookes and Interplanetary Criminal.

The festival has been a June BH staple over the past few years ,taking over Kilmainham across Saturday and Sunday, officially kicking off Dublin’s summer festival season.

CMAT

Saturday, May 30, St Anne's Park, Dublin

CMAT is set to take over St Anne's Park this Saturday for a massive hometown show, fresh off winning an Ivor Novello Awards Best Album award for EURO-COUNTRY.

Support on the night comes from Joy Crookes, with the CMAT herself performing hits like Snow Patrol are heading to St Anne's Park this weekend for a major outdoor gig in Dublin’s northside, with a capacity crowd expected. The band will roll out a set built for big open-air moments, including “Chasing Cars”, “Run” and “Open Your Eyes”.Take A Sexy Picture Of Me, I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby! and The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station.

AVA

Friday, May and Saturday, May 30, Slipways, Belfast

AVA Festival returns to the Titanic Slipways in Belfast this weekend with one of its biggest line-ups yet, featuring KNEECAP, KETTAMA, Honey Dijon, and Annie Mac.

The festival kicks off on Friday marking AVA’s 12th year as one of the country's biggest dance music weekends.

Éalú le Grá

Friday, May 29 to Monday, June 1, Ballinderry House, Galway

Éalú Le Grá is back in Galway this weekend with a packed line-up featuring Morgana, Shiv, Ahmed, With Love. and Celaviedmai, alongside club nights, art and spoken word events across the city.

The festival runs from Friday to Sunday celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and Irish-language culture in the city of tribes.

Snow Patrol

Sunday, May 31, St Anne's Park, Dublin

Snow Patrol are heading to St Anne's Park this weekend for a major outdoor gig in Dublin’s northside, with a huge crowd expected.

The band will roll out a set built for big open-air moments, including the classic, Chasing Cars. It sure to be a good one.

Mr Whippy Sound System

Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31, Clare Island, Mayo

Mr Whippy Sound System lands on Clare Island this weekend, bringing a unique roaming, DIY-style sound system, turning the island into a moving party.

Part rave, part community takeover, with an array of artists and DJs popping up in unexpected spots . .. . . . .