Summer Events

Barge Trip Sallins

Digby Lock Cruise (2.5 hrs)

Daily Departure: 10:00am

Private Bookings Available | Max 12 Passengers

Grand Canal Greenway Bike Hire

·       Adult Bikes: From €20

·       Child Bikes: From €10

Hire Base @ Sallins | (045) 255 621

Leinster Aqueduct Cruise (1 hr)

Daily Departures: 1:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:45pm

McCreevys Lock Cruise (1.5hr)

Daily Departures: 5:00pm

Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park

Annual Lullymore Fairy Quest | August 1-August 30th | Everyday 10am-6pm

This is a fun add on for families with young children where they have to find clues and solve a puzzle which usually finishes at the Fairy Tower in the park.

Mondello Park

FIA Rallycross | July 18th & 19th

The raucous roar of international rallycross is finally returning to Mondello Park on July 18-19, 2026, the FIA European Rallycross Championship makes its massive comeback to Ireland’s only FIA accredited racetrack. This isn’t just a race; it’s a high-octane homecoming for a discipline that has been the heartbeat of Irish motorsport culture for generations.

Masters Superbike | July 25th – 26th

The Principal Insurance Masters Superbike Championship is Ireland’s leading motorcycle racing series, bringing together the country’s fastest riders and most competitive teams for a full season of high-intensity track action. Taking place at Mondello Park, the championship features a packed schedule of races across multiple classes, including Principal Insurance Superbike, Principal Insurance Supersport, Megabikes Twins, VTL Classic Superbikes, Sidecar and Junior categories.

Bimmerfest | August 3rd

BIMMERFEST ’26 is Ireland’s largest event for BMW & Mini and is your opportunity to drive your pride & joy on track with a whole host of like-minded owners and enthusiasts!

Bimmerfest features drift and grip trackday sessions open to all cars not just BMW /Mini, Show & Shine, trade village, kids entertainment, food stalls & more! For those not taking part in the track action, we have a family friendly parade lap and photoshoot at lunchtime.

Retrostock 2026 | August 9th

Retrostock is all about old-school motorsport, showcasing pre-1994 machines pushed to the limit on track. This annual gathering draws fans and drivers together for a full day of sideways action, tight racing lines, and the unmistakable sound of classic engines. Blending drifting with grip driving, it delivers a raw, nostalgic atmosphere that keeps enthusiasts coming back year after year.

MASTERS SUPERBIKE | August 15th-16th

The Principal Insurance Masters Superbike Championship is Ireland’s leading motorcycle racing series, bringing together the country’s fastest riders and most competitive teams for a full season of high-intensity track action. Taking place at Mondello Park, the championship features a packed schedule of races across multiple classes, including Principal Insurance Superbike, Principal Insurance Supersport, Megabikes Twins, VTL Classic Superbikes, Sidecar and Junior categories.

Russborough House

Weekly Every Saturday | 1:30PM

The Grand Tour: Architecture, Art and the 18th-Century Vision of Russborough

In 2026, Russborough marks an important moment in its history with the return of nine paintings from the original Milltown Collection. Their arrival allows visitors to experience the most complete presentation of the collection at Russborough in over a century, with thirty-five Milltown objects now on view in the house.

To celebrate, a new guided tour explores the 18th-century vision behind Russborough’s architecture, art and landscape. Rather than viewing the house simply as a beautiful historic building, this tour reveals it as a carefully considered expression of Palladian design and Grand Tour taste.

Tours run every Saturday at 1.30pm, with places limited to 25 people, so advance booking is recommended.

Kaleidoscope Family Festival | 3rd-5th July

The stage is set for an unforgettable summer at Kaleidoscope Festival presented by Glenveagh, with three standout headliners bringing their unique sounds and unmistakable energy to Russborough.

Curator’s Talk: The Classical Statues of the Colonnade | 17th July

Join Assistant Curator Dr Sarah Coviello for a guided exploration of the classical statues that line the Colonnade, and the wider sculptural collection within the house. *Member Exclusive Event

Candlelight Picnic | 31st July, 1st & 2nd of August

Russborough is delighted to welcome Candlelight Picnics to the Parklands this summer for an unforgettable evening experience like no other. The Candlelight Picnic transforms the stunning grounds into a glowing escape, where over 2,000 candles illuminate the landscape and create an atmosphere of warmth, elegance, and pure relaxation.

Bring your own picnic, your favourite drinks, and a blanket or seating of your choice. Whether you’re coming as a couple, with friends, or simply looking for a unique night out, the event is designed to give you the freedom to create your own perfect evening in a truly magical setting.

At sunset, live music begins with a pianist performing a selection of well-known classical pieces and cinematic favourites, echoing across the candlelit grounds. The performance is intentionally intimate and immersive, allowing guests to relax, switch off, and fully take in the surroundings.

Guests are welcome to arrive early to secure their spot, explore the setup, and soak in the atmosphere before the music begins. Hay bale seating will be available in limited quantities, and guests should also bring their own low seating or picnic blanket setups.

Parking is available on-site and is just a short walk from the event area, ensuring easy access while maintaining the peaceful setting of the estate.

Scything Workshop with Chris Hayes | 9th August

Join experienced course instructor Chris Hayes for a practical workshop where he will guide you through the essential skills of scything.

Chris will teach about the history of the scythe from an Irish perspective and the effect of the industrial revolution on the production of scythes. Over the course of the day Chris will demonstrate the correct techniques for safe, efficient, and satisfying mowing, from body positioning and swinging the blade through to sharpening and caring for your scythe.
10am – 4pm
Price: €100
Maximum 10 spaces available

Invertopia: The Spineless Wonders Festival | 21st – 23rd August

Get ready to explore the wild world of Irish insects and invertebrates at the Invertopia Festival – it’s going to be a bug-tastic adventure!

Taking place in Russborough for a weekend of family-focused events, all based on giving you and your children an enthusiastic introduction to Ireland’s insect and invertebrate life.

Car Boot Art Fair 2026 | 29th August

Car Boot Art Fair 2026
Saturday 29th August 11am to 4pm
Tickets €12.50 – child admission free

Join us Saturday 29th August for the Car Boot Art. This isn’t your typical car boot fair. Think live music drifting through the air, a glass of wine in hand, and row upon row of Ireland’s most exciting artists ready to chat, inspire and showcase their work.

That’s the magic of the Car Boot Art Fair – a collective gathering of sought after artists bringing unique art works made for the day at very affordable prices – with a festival feel, it’s a perfect opportunity for art enthusiasts, collectors, and the art curious to enjoy a day of discovery.

The Avon

Emma Doran | 16th July, 19:00-22:00

Emma Doran, Instagram Star brings her Work In Progress show to The Avon Resort, Blessinton on July 16th.

Most recently Emma was part of the fab five that made up RTE sketch show No Worries If Not. Emma confirmed her spot on the national broadcaster after achieving huge success with her online comedy sketches. Never forgetting about her stand up roots though she she’s been always been gigging non stop and has performed at some of the countries biggest venues like 3 Arena ( and some of its smallest roughest ones too tbf). After 2 sell out shows in Liberty Hall in 2022 in a couple of days with her show Mad Isn’t It Emma set on chasing those big venues as a headliner (well Vicar street anyway). “2003 saw Emma’s first nationwide tour with 3 nights in Vicar and 2 nights in Soho Theatre, London.

As a regular on televison series like Republic of Telly, Bridget and Eamonn and Callan Kicks over the years Emma has even popped up in Amazon Prime’s series Modern Love in 2022 alongside Kit Harrington.

She’s also been a regular TV and radio contributor on shows like Clear History and if audio is more your thing she has podcast- with her daughter called You’re Grounded.

Kildare Farm Foods & Open Farm

Organic Farm Tour | July 2nd – August 8th

Join us every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for a fun-filled farm experience, priced at €15 per person or €50 for a family of four. This hands-on adventure is perfect for all ages and offers a unique opportunity to explore our organic working farm, with exclusive train tour access to areas normally closed to the public.

Along the way, discover our beautiful 3,000-tree orchard and learn about the varieties of apples, pears and plumcots we grow. Enjoy a guided foraging walk through native woodland, fruit and berry trees, herbs and wildlife habitats, and journey through the farm to see this year’s oat, mustard, maize, potato and sunflower crops. Meet some of our busy bee colonies and learn about the vital role pollinators play on the farm, before travelling through our growing pumpkin patch in preparation for Halloween.

Visitors will also explore our organic market garden and polytunnels, where seasonal fruit and vegetables are cultivated for sale in our Farm Shop. A highlight of the experience is the chance to work together in the organic potato patch, learning how potatoes grow and digging up this year’s harvest. Guests will receive a bag to collect herbs, fruit and vegetables gathered during the tour to take home.

Your visit also includes access to our Open Farm, Tractor Café, Farm Shop and all other activities available on the day. As this is a working farm, we recommend dressing appropriately with sturdy footwear, rain gear and a hat. Please note that due to uneven ground conditions in the fields and on the foraging walk, the tour is not suitable for buggies, wheelchairs or visitors with limited mobility.

The Irish National Stud & Gardens

Little Red Riding Hood’s Woodland Adventure | Wednesday, 15th July

Pack your picnic blanket, bring along your favourite teddy bear or woodland friend, and prepare for a day filled with storytelling, discovery, creativity, and family fun in the enchanting surroundings of St iachra’s Garden and Thatch Cottage Green.

Away With The Fairies | Wednesday, 1st July -12pm – 4pm

Step into a magical world of wonder this summer at Away With The Fairies, a spellbinding day of enchantment, imagination, and family fun at The Irish National Stud & Gardens.

Join our delightful fairies, elves, gnomes, and pixies as they guide you on an enchanted adventure through our beautiful Fairy Village and woodland trail.