10 Things to Do in Dublin in May

Throughout the year, Dublin offers plenty to see and do, but if you're specifically interested in what's special in May, you've come to the right place.

I've been looking at what events are happening this month alone so you can make a note of the ones you like best and join Dubliners in their celebrations. Be prepared for lots of music, but also for quieter plans in the great outdoors. When do you say you're going?

With Trinity University (one of the best in the world) as its emblem and the birthplace of writers such as Oscar Wilde and Bran Stoker, it's no surprise that Dublin hosts an International Literature Festival every May.

The idea is to get books out on the streets, and there are talks and exhibitions, as well as tours to discover the stories hidden in the city. There is also an annual prize for the best work, although there is much more. One of the activities that most interests me are the guided tours of the city.

Each year they are organised in a different way, but as you can imagine, everything revolves around literature. My advice is to sign up for one to get to know Dublin in a different way, perhaps while you visit the oldest bookshops or a guide tells you ghost stories. And if you run out of room, you can always go on a guided tour of Dublin to get to know the city.

Useful facts:

• Where: at different cultural locations around the city.
• When: mid-May
• Price: approximately €4 per ticket
• Where to buy tickets: on the festival's website you can book and consult the tickets for each activity.

Dublin may be a big city, but the surrounding area is very rural. Livestock farming is therefore a vital and valuable sector, as the mountainous terrain of the west of Ireland is a challenge.

During the month of May, shepherds put the sheep out to pasture again, so it's a good time to get to know this world. It is also the month when new lambs are born. If you want to experience this rural environment, see the newborn lambs and understand the work of the shepherds, visit one of the farms that are usually located towards the south of Dublin.

However, this is not your only option for getting to know the natural environment around Dublin. You can also book a trip to Wicklow, Glendalough and Kilkenny, for example, and have more contact with the rural world.

Useful facts:

• Where: farms in rural Dublin.
• When: Throughout May
• Price of farm visit: approx. £50
• Tour price: from €36
• Where to buy tickets: Online, if possible in advance

The arrival of May in Dublin brings almost 16 hours of daylight a day. Of course we can enjoy them in the city, but I invite you to make the most of them by taking a day trip from Dublin. You will have enough time (and sunshine) to visit several places, which look even more beautiful at this time of year thanks to the spring and the good weather.

I won't kid you, there are many places you could visit during your stay in Dublin. It's hard for me to choose, but I 've made a selection.

Cliffs of Moher

If you're in Dublin, a trip to the Cliffs of Moher is a must. In total, they are 8 kilometres long and reach heights of over 200 metres, so if you have vertigo, stay away from the edge.

Either way, you're sure to enjoy a good walk around the area, which is home to many species of birds.

During the tour you'll also have access to the Visitor Centre, where you can learn more about the rock formation of the cliffs and the wildlife that inhabits them. If you want even better views, you must climb the O'Brien Tower, the highest point which offers an incredible panoramic view.

Kilkenny

One of Dublin's best castles is in Kilkenny, a small town just over an hour from the capital. If you fancy wandering the medieval streets, you've come to the right place, as this is where you'll find the Medieval Mile, a unique and well-preserved historic centre.

Although Kilkenny now has more modern elements, traditional trades such as goldsmithing and pottery are still of great value, so book a trip to Kilkenny.

Malahide and Howth

If you like the sea, you have to go from Dublin to Malahide. This small town is a holiday destination for the Irish, but the great thing about going in May is that it's not so crowded and you can stroll along the beaches in peace and quiet.

The great thing about Malahide is that you can also extend your trip to Howth, which is also very close to Dublin and is a lovely fishing village. The best thing to do while you're there is to hike along the cliffs (from where you can take some great photos) and then recharge your batteries with a nice plate of seafood.

When May rolls around in Ireland, the nights are not so dark and not so cold. Why should this interest you? Because taking a night tour of Dublin will be much more enjoyable and the cold won't stop you from listening to stories of ghosts, murderers and satanic clubs.

Did you think Dublin was all about charm? It is, but when night falls there's nothing like getting to know its darker side. After all, these legends, real or not, are also part of the city's culture. The good thing about going with a guide is that they will explain everything to you and, being in a group, you might be less scared!

Another very similar experience is to go on the ghost bus tour of Dublin, in this case you will go under cover and it's great in case of rain when you don't want to postpone the activity due to lack of time or when you don't feel like waiting for better weather.

Useful information:

• Where: Dublin's historic city centre
• When: Throughout May
• Price: between €15 and €36
• Where to buy tickets: can be booked online

If there's one thing you feel like doing in May, when spring is here, it's hiking. In that case, I have a recommendation: visit Wicklow from Dublin. This area is pure nature and is well worth a trip, especially to walk through its forests and lakes, which in May are full of colour and light.

Wicklow is a county to the south of Dublin (approximately 25 kilometres away) and its recognition comes from the National Park, the largest of the six in Ireland. As you would expect, there are a number of hiking trails, but there are three that stand out above the rest and are perfect for a day out here.

• Devil's Glen: this 5 kilometre route is fairly straightforward. If you want to go deep into the forest for about two hours, this is your best option.
• Great Sugarloaf: to get a good view of Wicklow without having to climb a big mountain, I recommend this walk. The highest point is over 500 metres, so it's quite accessible.
• Hollywood - Glendalough: Are you an advanced walker looking for a challenge? Make a note of this route, as its 26 kilometres are not always easy, but well worth the effort.

Interesting facts:

• Where: Wicklow
• When: Throughout May
• Price: approximately €30
• Where to buy tickets: You can book and get your ticket online.

Do you like to dance? Enjoy the Dublin Dance Festival if you travel to the capital of Ireland during the month of May. Every year this festival brings together dancers from all over the world, but especially from the country.

For almost two weeks, various artists perform on stages around the city or in the streets. The best thing is that there is usually an immersive encounter, so that anyone can participate and explore through dance.

You can see street dance, flamenco, traditional dances... The aim of this event is to bring people together through dance. My advice is to take a look at the year's programme and make a note of the performances you would like to go to.

Useful information:

• Where: at the Projects Arts Centre
• When: the last two weeks of May
• Price: approximately 5€-25€, depending on the show.
• Where to buy tickets: on the official website

What does Dublin sound like? A lot of things, but in May it's all about electronic music at the Life Festival. The line-up changes every year, but always features the hottest international DJs, but also gives space to local and emerging talent.

Its fame has made it the biggest techno festival in the country. Are you going to miss it? It's clear that Life Festival is not for everyone, but if you like electronic beats, you'll enjoy it. There are also talks, workshops, magic and juggling shows and, in general, there is a very positive atmosphere.

Interesting facts:

• Where: on the outskirts of Dublin.
• When: Last weekend in May
• Price: approximately €150
• Where to buy tickets: via the festival's website

From 30 April to 1 May, Dublin and the whole of Ireland celebrates May Day, a festival of dancing and flower-picking that dates back to before Christianity.

The most curious thing about it all is that trees are decorated with eggshells and flowers as a symbol of life, and bonfires are often lit at night. Bonfires are also lit at night.

If you're in Dublin the day before May and the first night of May, it's definitely worth a visit.

If you're a runner, you probably always travel with your running shoes. During your trip to Dublin in May, they'll come in handy as you take part in the Calcutta Run. Beyond the personal satisfaction of completing another 5 or 10 kilometre run, you will be supporting a new cause, as it has a charitable nature.

When the Calcutta Run was first organised in 1999 it was already quite successful, but nowadays thousands of athletes are joining in, raising more than 300,000 euros. If you want to take part, you can sign up on their website.

If running is not your thing, you can always participate by making a donation and supporting the runners who cross the finish line at Blackhall Place (Phoenix Park). There are usually tents with food stalls, picnic areas and activities for the little ones, so if you are travelling to Dublin with children, it can be a good plan.

Useful information:

• Where: in Phoenix Park
• When: Last weekend in May
• Price: approximately £10 (depending on donation)
• Where to buy tickets: from the race website once the registration period opens (approximately a couple of months before).

In the first two weeks of May a very special festival takes place in Dublin, the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. It has been running since 2004 and is attended by playwrights or, in general, LGTBIQ+ people who have stories to tell through theatre.

In its almost 20 years of existence, it has become a world reference that aims to make visible the contributions of the collective to the arts. It began to be organised to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Oscar Wilde, the famous Dublin writer who was condemned for his homosexuality.

Since then it has focused on creating new opportunities and making visible the contributions to theatre of this and other authors.

Interesting facts:

• Where: various locations in Dublin city centre.
• When: first two weeks of May
• Price: approximately €25 per ticket
• Where to buy tickets: on the festival's website

Although there is no exact forecast that never fails, May in Dublin is generally a month of very pleasant temperatures. Highs are in excess of 13ºC (sometimes reaching 16ºC) and lows don't usually drop below 9ºC, even at night. As for the rain, expect it to come on one day of your trip and disrupt your plans.

However, even with rain, the great thing about travelling in May is that you'll find many more hours of daylight than if you'd travelled to Dublin in the winter months. In total, that's more than 16 hours to enjoy the city and especially its outdoor spaces and parks, as the temperatures are warm enough.

Of course, there is no perfect packing list for everyone, but I would like to give you some tips for your trip to Dublin if you're travelling in May:

• Pack something to protect yourself from possible rain (hat, umbrella, mackintosh...).
• Also take comfortable, waterproof footwear that won't get in the way.
• Another tip is to opt for layers. In May the temperatures are somewhere in between: neither too hot to wear shorts nor too cold to wear a heavy coat. The solution? Pack a warm but not too heavy jacket, jumpers and T-shirts in your suitcase so you can add or remove clothes as you need them.

What plans are you going to sign up for? Don't forget to tell me about them when you get back.