While Celtic Spring and Imbolc mark the season’s arrival in February, it’s March that truly brings the first burst of new life and a real sense of the longer days ahead, giving families more chances to enjoy time together. Many pet farms are also reopening to show off the new arrivals while this weekend is also filled with different activities, from hands-on workshops to live performances, offering plenty of ways to embrace the changing season. 

Engineers Weeks | Family Fairs
Dublin, Cork, Galway, Sigo | March 1st & 2nd

Engineers Week always kicks off with family-friendly events across Ireland and this weekend there are lots of hands-on activities, workshops and shows to spark kids’ interest in the world of engineering.

The University of Galway will host a Family Fun Day on Saturday featuring science and engineering shows, workshops and interactive activities for all ages. The perfect way to start Engineers Week!

On Sunday, Engineers Ireland in Dublin offers a free family fair with exciting activities like Scientific Sue’s Engineering, Chemistry & the Celts show, Lego workshops and rocket-building with Mark the Science Guy. Pre-book your tickets for the Rediscovery Centre Engineering Workshop or Lego STEM workshops.

Cork City will also join in the fun at the Old Cork Waterworks with a range of activities for kids and adults. Admission is free, and volunteers from Engineers Ireland Cork Branch will be on hand to guide you through the day’s events.

Finally, ATU Sligo Campus will host an Engineering Fair on Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with fun activities organised by Engineers Ireland North West Region, Bentley, and Abbott. Don’t miss the chance to inspire the next generation of engineers this Engineers Week!

The Speks
glór, Clare | March 2nd

The Speks bring their lively, toe-tapping show to the stage with a mix of nursery rhymes and sing-along songs set to acoustic Irish music. Their high-energy performance will have audiences clapping, dancing and singing along as they share the magic of Glasses Island, a whimsical place off the coast of Clare where everyone wears glasses.

This award-winning group has been described as Riverdance for kids, delivering a fun-filled show that promises laughter, music and plenty of audience participation. With catchy tunes and an infectious energy, this is a must-see event for families, guaranteed to entertain kids and grown-ups alike.

All Shucked Up | Oyster and Music Festival
Howth | February 28th - March 

Howth’s newest festival, All Shucked Up, brings a weekend of live music and fresh seafood across seven venues in the coastal village. With over 20 free gigs, the lineup includes trad sessions, jazz, reggae and acoustic performances, alongside headline shows from The Frank & Walters Unplugged, Ryan Sheridan, The Henry Girls and Scullion.

The Dublin Oyster Shucking Championships take place at The Abbey Tavern, with a special masterclass from Oyesome’s Sarah Browne at Wrights-Findlater. Roaming oyster shuckers, a Best Dressed Oyster competition in the local restaurants and a family-friendly Coastal & Folklore Foraging Walk with Nicole from Howth Foraging on Saturday from 1pm-2:30 all add to the festivities.

With great food, live entertainment and activities for all ages, this is the perfect weekend to soak up the festival atmosphere in Howth.

The Dublin Card Show
Convention Centre | March 1st, 10:00-16:00

The Dublin Card Show, powered by Topps, returns to the Convention Centre Dublin this Saturday, bringing collectors and vendors from Ireland and beyond together for a day of sports cards, trading card games and memorabilia.

From football and Formula 1 to NBA, NFL and MLB, sports cards will be available to buy, sell or trade, alongside Pokémon, Disney’s Lorcana and more. A dedicated trade area welcomes collectors looking to swap cards, while vendors will have a mix of graded and non-graded cards, sealed boxes and exclusive Irish sporting memorabilia. Easily accessible by public transport, with on-site parking available, the show promises a must-visit experience for trading card enthusiasts.

Fairy School in Spring | Cork
Barnabrow House, Cork | March 2nd

Join Robin Goodfellow and the Spring Fairies as they return to Cork for a fun-filled, interactive show that will transport you to the enchanting world of fairies! This popular show invites children to Fairy School, where they’ll learn to be fairies, complete with their own fairy wings, magic wand and fairy crown to take home.

Perfect for children aged 3 to 7 (but all are welcome), this captivating event features fairy dancing, magic spells, mindfulness and plenty of laughs. The only rule? You must believe in fairies!

Taking place at the beautiful Barnabrow House in East Cork, it’s the ideal day out for families. Don’t forget to explore the scenic nearby Ballycotton after the show!

In addition to the magical experience, families can enjoy the intimate atmosphere of the venue, where every child gets hands-on attention and a chance to immerse themselves fully in the fairy world. This interactive, magical journey is the perfect way to create lasting memories together this weekend.