Diverse entertainment

Ireland's largest festival of FREE outdoor events!

The Diversions festival, now in its eighth year of existence, is set to kick of festivities for the summer season in true Gothic style. The showing of the macabre silent movie Phantom of the Opera opened the festival in spooky style on Saturday, 2nd June in Christchurch Cathedral accompanied by an improvised eerie soundtrack by organist David Briggs.

This was just one of the events due to be showcased with the aim of introducing the people of Dublin to the vast range of cultural experiences that the world has to offer.

Grainne Millar, director of Diversions 2007 promises ‘a diverse and eclectic’ range of entertainment all throughout the summer months, for all age groups and interests, emphasising that all events are completely free of charge.

Every Sunday for seven weeks from 1st July, prepare for encounters of hilarity as the circus comes to town. Jugglers, jesters and high-jinxers will converge in Temple Bar hailing from countries in Europe, Africa and from Australia. The circus acts will entertain, bewilder, enthrall and invite audience participation within the 50 minute shows.

In association with Filmbase, the ever-popular Movies on the Square will pull back the curtains on another substantial range of classic films including The Godfather, Psycho, Donnie Darko, The Terminator and This is Spinal Tap which should satisfy any film buff’s appetite. The movies will be shown every Saturday night throughout the summer with a screening time of 10pm.

Before the feature movie is shown, the audience will be given a taste of what Irish short-film makers have to offer, building up to the presentation of a Short Film Award of €5,000 to the winner. Ms. Millar highlights that this type of opportunity is far and few between for short film makers in Dublin, and Diversions are delighted to provide a platform for this wealth of talent.

Those under 18 however should note that the Movies on the Square is run in conjunction with Jameson and is an over 18 event. All attendees must have ID present when collecting tickets. Tickets can be picked up free of charge at 12 East Essex Street, Temple Bar.

Music maniacs will be drooling at the range of free music gigs that will spring up over the heady summer days and sticky nights! By bringing performance out into the open and introducing a blurring of music and media genres across the summer, the festival organisers hope that it will bring about awareness and interest in the various art forms that are out there. So whether shaking your bootie to African beats, chilling out to acoustic guitars or indulging in operatic arias are your scene, Diversions will have something to titillate your musical spirit!

So whether or not you get that summer job, there’s an array of entertainment laid on for you for FREE in Dublin this summer!

For further information on any of the festival events call into the Temple Bar Cultural Trust, 12 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 or visit their website www.templebar.ie.  

By: Clare Murphy