FEBRUARY 2023 WILL be like no other February in history.
For the first time ever, Ireland will celebrate a bank holiday in the month of February. Generally one of the wettest, windiest, and wildest months of the year, the holiday on the 6th of February will provide a nice way of breaking up the month.
With bank holidays, it can sometimes be tough to decide whether to chill out or go all out. Luckily for you, we’re on hand to provide a nice mix of options for making the most of the bank holiday weekend.
Our first suggestion is a Dublin City Council-organised festival, with events taking place across the city from February 1st to February 6th. Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women is returning, and the celebration of the Celtic goddess Brigit will also mark the contribution of women in society.
History lectures, city walks, and craft-making workshops are just a few of the events taking place, with something for everyone to enjoy and take part in. The festival also celebrates the Celtic festival of Imbolc, which coincides with the start of spring.
On Sunday, Meeting House Square in Temple Bar will be a hub of activity for the festival as the venue for the Imbolc Fair. Attendees should expect a day filled with activities embodying the spirit and traditions of Brigit. You can check out demonstrations in blacksmithing, develop a new skill with the experts at Dublin Body Paint, learn how to create poetry with the festival’s resident poet Osaro, and so much more.
The Six Nations kicks off this weekend, with Ireland playing Wales in the first round of fixtures. Andy Farrell’s team is looking to continue their brilliant form, having won every one of their autumn matches.
Wales are a perennial thorn in the side of Ireland, and the game is shaping up to be must-watch television, especially with the recent re-appointment of Warren Gatland as Wales manager, with the ex-Ireland manager taking the reins after a disastrous Autumn Series for the Dragons. Getting to the pub earlier to ensure you have a good seat is a requirement this weekend and hopefully, the result will look after itself.
With the Rugby World Cup taking place later this year, now is a great chance to see how Ireland are shaping up before the tournament.
Don’t fancy braving the elements when heading out this weekend? Why not invite a few friends over for the evening? For entertainment, you can dazzle them with your cocktail-making skills, with this handy recipe from Absolut Vodka.
Moscow Mule
If the weather outside is cold, this Moscow Mule, made with fresh lime and ginger beer, provides a refreshing kick that will help keep you warm.
Ingredients
Ice Cubes
1½ Parts Absolut Vodka - click here to buy on offer from O’Briens now!
½ Part Lime Juice
Ginger Beer
1 Wedge Lime
How to make
Fill a chilled stainless steel or copper mule mug with ice cubes. Add 1.5 parts Absolut Vodka and .5 parts lime juice. Top up with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Expert tips
For a somewhat more mature and full-bodied version of the Moscow Mule, add a few dashes of aromatic bitters to the drink.
Make sure to use plenty of ice to keep your drink colder, crisper, and fizzier longer.
If you can’t find Ginger Beer, muddle some fresh ginger in the base of your mule cup and use Ginger Ale instead. That will give you the spicy kick from the fresh ginger.
If you’re eager to get out and about and get the heart pumping with some excitement, the Dublin Racing Festival is taking place on Saturday and Sunday in Leopardstown. The two days of racing are expected to draw a crowd of 25,000 punters.
General admission tickets start at €35, with all of the best horses, trainers, and jockeys competing over the weekend for the eight Grade One races and over €2 million in prize-money on offer. The Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle and the Paddy Power Gold Cup are expected to be the highlights of the weekend.
Aside from the racing, those going can avail of some live entertainment and delicious food as well. Mundy and Paddy Casey are both set to headline the festival and will perform after the day’s racing.
With the weather set to be dry for most of the weekend, getting out into nature and stretching your legs may be up your street. The Howth Cliff walk is a gorgeous, easy-to-access stroll that has different routes suitable for all fitness levels.
The shortest trail takes around 1.5 hours while the longest (the Bog of Frogs Purple Route) takes 3 hours, and starts in Howth village. Those looking for a gentle stroll should begin at the summit to cut out most of the uphill walking.
Howth is very accessible, thanks to both DART and Dublin Bus services operating in the area. The village is also well worth checking out, with a number of fabulous cafes and restaurants perfect for a well-deserved post-walk meal.
We hope you enjoyed our preview of the February Bank Holiday weekend, brought to you by Absolut Vodka.
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