Opera in the Open is an initiative of Dublin City Council that presents live performances of operatic work in the open air in Dublin City Centre. The annual opera season is taking place on 7, 14, 21 & 28 August in the Amphitheatre at the Dublin City Council Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8. Each opera performance is presented in an abridged format, narrated in English, and lasts one hour, fitting perfectly into the lunchtime slot from 1 to 2pm. Attendance is completely free of charge, and all are welcome! The Amphitheatre features a raised stage, seating areas, and grassy verges

The annual Dublin HandelFest celebrates and explores the rich cultural legacy left by Handel’s visit to the city in 1741-1742. Handel’s visit to Dublin will forever be associated with the first performance of Messiah at Fishamble Street in 1742. This monumental work has gone on to become one of the greatest and best loved works of Western Art Music, to the extent that it has eclipsed Handel’s other significant achievements during his stay in the stay in the capital. Founded in 2021, the Dublin HandelFest is a gift from the Irish Baroque Orchestra to the city of Dublin. It is an opp

National Heritage Week, an initiative by the Heritage Council, celebrates all things heritage. It brings together communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions, academics and enthusiasts, to build awareness about the value of heritage and support its conservation. Since the Heritage Council assumed responsibility for National Heritage Week in 2005, it has grown from a small 500 event to almost 2,000 events in 2023. The Heritage Council assumed the role of coordinator of National Heritage Week from the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government. Since then t