Spoil her! 5 non-cheesy weekend events to head to with your mam

Mar 4, 2016

If you've ventured into your local supermarket recently, then you probably have a fair idea that Mother's Day is approaching, given the large volume of Milk Tray and floral bouquets strategically placed right inside the front entrance.

But just in case that fact had passed you by, we've come up with a few last minute – and decidedly non-cheesy – things to do with your mam this weekend.

Baking, culture, cocktails… you're bound to find something on this list she'll love. And if all else fails, you know where to go to get a cheap bouquet.

1. Baking Masterclass at Le Pain Quotidien
Book yourself and your mam in for an afternoon of eating and baking at Le Pain Quotidien in Kildare Village, where they're running two-hour masterclasses on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's attendees will whip up hot cross buns and speculoos cookies, while Sunday's group will keep things cleaner with raw vegan chocolate cake and five-seeded bread.

You'll be served up canapés during the workshop, plus you can bring home the fruits of your labour along with a special (edible) gift.

Cost is €50 per person. Contact Le Pain Quotidien at Kildare Village on 045 499190 to reserve your space (essential).

2. Women Of Notes/Mná Na Notaí at Thirty Four Lennox St
A photography and prose exhibition featuring some of Ireland's most successful female musicians launches at Thirty Four Lennox St this Saturday, to coincide with International Women's Day. See images of artists like Mary Black, Lisa Hannigan, MayKay, Choice Prize winner SOAK, Heathers and more, all photographed by Ruth Medjber and interviewed by journalist Louise Bruton.

This is the first part of what Ruth and Louise hope will be an ongoing series documenting some of the fiercest and most hard-working women in the Irish music industry.

A photo posted by Women Of Notes (@womenofnotes) on Feb 23, 2016 at 1:47pm PST

The launch kicks off this Saturday March 5 at 1pm at Thirty Four Lennox St, Dublin 2. More information here.

3. Pop-up portraits and sketching at Arnotts
Yes, it might seem like a bit of a cop-out to drag your mum out shopping, but Arnotts have a whole heap of (mainly free) Mother's Day events this weekend that will make the trip more than worthwhile.

On Saturday there'll be a pop-up photography studio in-store for that perfect mum-and-daughter snap, while sketch artist Conor Merriman will be on the first floor for a more unorthodox family portrait. Plus mums can grab a complimentary facial, makeover or arm massage at one of the many beauty counters over the weekend.

4. VHI Lust For Life 5k/10k Walk/Run at the Phoenix Park
Kick off your Mother's Day weekend with some fitness down at the Phoenix Park, where over 4,000 people are expected to take part in the Lust For Life walk/run in aid of mental health charity Aware. Even if you're not taking part, head down to cheer the runners on and enjoy the buzz.

More information can be found here.

5. A Very Peculiar Afternoon Tea at The Westin
If you can't get a space for this weekend, we highly recommend booking this in as an IOU. Baked Alice In Wonderland-themed treats, sambos and Hendricks gin cocktails all served up in the gorgeous surroundings of The Atrium Lounge at The Westin. Perfection.