What’s on for the weekend

Traditional music, David Gray, viking boat trips and aqua sphering among weekend events

Traidphicnic

The traditional arts and music festival with a difference takes place in An Spidéal,Co Galway this weekend.

Traidphicnic is an access for all festival meaning attendees are admitted it on a “donate what you can policy”. Organisers say it is very family oriented and run bi-lingually. Top acts this year include Dermot Byrne and Steve Cooney.

Among the activities are a guided walk with a marine biologist and herbalist, a pottery workshop and music masterclasses. Traidphicnic is on today and tomorrow. traidphicnic.com/

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Clonmel Junction Festival

The ten day Clonmel Junction Festival kicks off this weekend. Tomorrow afternoon at the Showgrounds Shopping Centre there will be acrobatic comedy followed by blues music. There will be free live music in various locations around the town . Ticketed events including the play Bitch Boxer about female boxing and a reading by author and Irish Times columnist Michael Harding. junctionfestival.com/

Groove Festival, Bray, Co Wicklow

British singer Paloma Faith headlines the Groove Festival in Kilruddery Estate, Bray, Co Wicklow tomorrow supported by Irish singer Cathy Davey. On Sunday singer David Gray continues his return to the Irish stage with support from the Booka Brass Band featuring Jerry Fish. The festival includes an enchanted garden to keep the kids entertained and an activity centre with aqua sphering. Adult daily tickets are €53. Groovefestival.ie

Galway Garden Festival

Climatologist Evelyn Cusack and environmentalist Duncan Stewart are among the guest speakers at this year's Galway Garden Festival in Claregalway Castle today and tomorrow. This year's event looks at themes of climate change, food safety and sustainable gardening.

Tomorrow night there is a wine reception before a poetry reading by poet Bernard O' Donoghue (tickets €10). On Sunday afternoon Galway singer Julie Feeney will perform.

Entertainment for children will include a circus and the Tommy Baker Puppets. Admission €8, children free. Gate profits to charity. galwaygardenfestival.com.

Feile Brian Boru

On the 1000th anniversary of Brian Boru's death , the place of his birth, Killaloe in Co Clare is having an extra special 21st Feile Brian Boru which continues this weekend.

There are replica Viking long boat trips on the River Shannon tomorrow morning, a craft market at the cathedral and a chance to get up close with hawks, falcons and lizard with a free display . A sculpture is being made to commemorate the event and the blacksmith's progress can be watched at a workshop on Cathedral Quay. FeileBrianBoru.com

Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery is Deputy Head of Audience at The Irish Times