Richmond Barracks

Spring Fair

Richmond Barracks Spring Fair - Saturday 5 April and Sunday 6 April from 11 am to 5 pm

Enjoy a weekend filled with creativity, community and connection at our 2025 Spring Fair.

Come together to meet artists, makers, producers and small businesses as we celebrate Spring through our theme of Renewal. The theme celebrates the idea of new beginnings, growth, and the importance of renewal in life and nature.

Our fairs are family friendly, with entertainment and creative activities for all ages. There will be stalls, workshops, walking tours, entertainment, food and drink and more to enjoy. Admission to the Fair is free.

Our vendors will showcase a range of products that are upcycled, recycled or reused. We will also have seasonal offerings celebrating biodiversity, local produce and a more eco-conscious and seasonal way of living.

This page will be updated frequently with workshop and tour times as we get closer to the Fair. To get the most up to date details, please sign up to our newsletter or follow us on instagram.


 

What’s happening at the fair:

 

Creative Workshops

Come to our free crafting, making and upcycling workshops. Workshops are suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in workshops you must book a place at the reception desk on the day of the Fair. Booking times are listed below each workshop. Places are limited.

Workshops on Saturday 5 April

Teddy Bears Picnic with Inchicore Library

Saturday 11.30 am to 12.15 pm

Join Inchicore Library for a Teddy Bears Picnic at the Fair. There will be stories and songs and lots of fun. Don't forget your teddy!

This is a drop-in event at the Richmond Barracks Spring Fair and will take place in the garden, weather permitting. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Rebuilding History

Saturday at 12 pm to 1 pm

Join Dublin’s Historian in Residence for Children Dervilia Roche for a free, interactive workshop for families.

Recreate your favourite building or event from history using modelling clay and other materials.

Booking opens at 11.30 am.

Make Spring Suncatchers

Saturday at 12.30 pm to 1.15 pm and 1.15 pm to 2 pm

Join artist Paula Garcia Ibanez to create a Spring Suncatcher. Using coloured cellophane and card you can create sun catchers in various spring shapes, such as flowers, butterflies, or birds, to catch and colour the spring sunlight.

Booking opens at 12 pm.

Make Felted Flowers

Saturday at 2 pm to 3 pm and 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm

Make your own spring flower - from wool! Join visual artist Niki Collier to learn felt-making techniques by creating your own beautiful bloom.

Booking opens at 1.30 pm.

Make Scrappy Spring Creatures – Soft Toy Making

Saturday at 3 pm to 3.45 pm and 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm

Join Rainie from Change Clothes to create your own small soft toy or fabric decoration using scrap textiles. Using simple templates for birds, butterflies, or bunnies, you can hand-stitch or glue the fabric pieces together, stuffing them with fabric offcuts for an entirely waste-free project.

Booking opens at 2.30 pm.

Workshops on Sunday 6 April

Springtime Dance Adventure

Sunday 11.30 am to 12.15 pm

Join our Dance Artist in Residence Mia DiChiaro to dance your way through a special springtime adventure! Together we'll leap over streams, skip through colourful flowers, and meet friendly bees and butterflies. This workshop invites little ones (and their grown ups!) to move joyfully together. 

This workshop is suitable for children aged 5 to 8 years, accompanied by an adult. 

Booking opens at 11.00 am

Make Upcycled Pom-Poms

Sunday 12 pm to 12.45 pm and 12.45 pm to 1.30 pm

Join crafter Lisa O'Connor to upcycle old plastic bags into colourful pom-poms. Learn how to turn old plastic bags into usable 'yarn' that you will then make into fun pom-poms to use as decorations.

Booking opens at 11.30 am.

Woven Wonders – Mini Upcycled Baskets

Sunday at 1 pm to 1.45 pm and 1.45 pm to 2.30 pm

Join Rainie from Change Clothes to create your own mini basket from scrap textiles. Using scrap fabric strips and repurposed cardboard bases, you can weave small baskets perfect for holding trinkets, Easter eggs, or spring flowers. This simple weaving technique is easy for children and adults alike, showing how discarded textiles can be transformed into useful and beautiful items.

Booking opens at 12.30 pm.

 

Make Felted Flowers 

Sunday 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm and 4 pm to 5 pm

Make your own spring flower - from wool!

Join visual artist Niki Collier to learn felt-making techniques by creating your own beautiful bloom.

Booking opens at 2 pm.

 

Pot, Paint, Plant!

Sunday 3.30 pm to 4.15 pm and 4.15 pm to 5 pm

Join artist Shannon Jade Wilson to decorate a flowerpot and plant something to grow in it over the summer!

Booking opens at 3 pm.


 

Stalls

Browse lots of stalls, showcasing a wide range of makers and creators. Explore the possibilities of upcycling, recycling and reusing, with sustainable goods and handcrafted items. Pick up some delicious treats along the way! 

We are welcoming 33 vendors, including:

 


 

Guided Walking Tours

Our guided walking tours explore the area’s biodiversity, its historical connections to 1916, and Goldenbridge, Ireland’s first garden cemetery. Book your tickets online, by phone, or in person.

Our historic walking tours will be delivered as Gaeilge on Saturday and in English on Sunday.


Saturday 5th April, 12 noon; duration 75 minutes

Biodiversity Walking Tour

Book tickets here


Saturday 5 April 11 am - 75 minutes duration 

Turas Siúil ó Dhún Richmond go Cill Maighneann - Richmond Barracks to Kilmainham Gaol Walking Tour.
Book tickets here


Saturday 5 April 1 pm - 75 minutes duration

Turas Siúil ó Dhún Richmond go Reilig an Droichid Órga - Goldenbridge Cemetery Tour.

Book tickets here


Sunday 6 April 11 am - 75 minutes duration

Richmond Barracks to Kilmainham Gaol Walking Tour.

Book tickets here


Sunday 6 April 1 pm - 75 minutes duration

Goldenbridge Cemetery Tour.

Book tickets here


 

Inchicore Library

The Library will be open each day. Along with their usual services, they will host a special teddy bear’s picnic.


 

Entertainment

Enjoy performances from talented artists and musicians, contributing to the great atmosphere throughout both days of the Fair.

  • The Bubble Guys are back to delight young and old with their hijinks.
  • The Zoryanna and Moving Skirts dance groups join us with a fusion of moves with Arabic / Indian / Balkan / Spanish influences.
  • Saint James’s Brass and Reed Band join us both days with some familiar songs and showstopping tunes.
  • The Dublin 10/20 Men shed join us with classics songs we know and love.

 

Food and Drink

You can choose from a delicious range of food and drink vendors in the garden including:

  • FoodCloud Kitchen - hot food including toasties, and lots of treats.
  • Happy Out Coffee who will be in the garden keeping a pep in your step with hot and cold brews and delicious baked goods.
  • Fun Foods with an array of delicious crépes, hot dogs, pizza and more.

Don't forget your picnic blanket!


 

Our fairs are family-friendly, with entertainment and creative activities for all ages. You can bring your family, friends, and curiosity for a day of exploration and discovery. Dogs on leads are welcome. 

Our building is accessible, with safe parking for bikes and for buggies. We open at 11 am each day. Find directions here.

For details on our full programme, please sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram

We look forward to welcoming you soon!