International Day of the FamilyTomorrow is International Day of the Family – well, there's Mother's Day and Father's Day so why not go the whole hog? – and there's at least one major, free event planned to celebrate – the Family Day Picnic in the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin.
The event is being hosted by One Family and EBS, which has come on board as sponsors, which means there will be plenty of free activities of offer from arts and crafts workshops to sports activities.
It’s a great excuse to visit the Iveagh Gardens, one of Dublin’s hidden gems.
Dawn chorus
If you’re not in Dublin and want a more challenging (sleepwise) family activity, then take part in an event to mark National Dawn Chorus Day – also tomorrow.
Organised by Birdwatch Ireland, events begin from 4am onwards – apparently thrushes, blackbirds and other songbirds don’t wait until dawn to get going.
As events are organised by individual branches of Birdwatch Ireland, there are excursions on all over the country and some counties have several outings. There’s a long list on Birdwatch Ireland’s website with locations and times. For example: Ardgillan Demesne, Balbriggan (meet in the main car park at 5:15am); or in Mayo where you meet at the Octagon, Westport, at 4:40am or at Brackloon Woods at 5am; or near Monaghan town where the plan is to hear the birds at the Dartrey Estate (meet at 4:30am beside the Dawson Monument on the Cootehill/Rockcorry road).
* onefamily.ie
* birdwatchireland.ie
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/5186c128-d8c9-4edc-81e4-8d356e01d199.png)