The week ahead
Bloomsday
Joyce and Mothers. Joyce and Synchronicity. Joyce and the critical reception of Ulysses . . . time to dust off the straw boater. Again. The best place to begin is Joyce's Tower in Sandymount, hopefully in sunshine warranting a dip into the Forty Foot. The James Joyce Centre will be serving the traditional breakfast at two seatings at 8am and 9.30am, with lunchtime talks as mentioned above. 35 North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1.
Festival
Head for the Barrow Track tonight for the best vantage point for Black Powder Monkeys' fireworks display marking the opening of Eigse '06 in Carlow, where there is a week-long programme of cultural events including an exhibition by 100 visual artists, a large crafts fair and workshops for children devoted to dance, storytelling, art and illustration. You might catch the Puca Puppets (left), or the ever-popular Jack L. Details from 059-9140491.
Opera
Castleward Opera comes strongly recommended: don't miss this season's productions in the rustic coachhouse overlooking Strangford Lough. The programme includes Puccini's La Bohème and Balfe's The Bohemian Girl. conducted by Michael McGuffin. A lovely night out: bring a hamper or hire one of their caterers. Passionate performances, until June 24th. Tickets from £40. See www.castlewardopera.com. 048-92639545.
Dublin literary festival
You are sure to be entertained by a conversation between Anne Enright and Roddy Doyle (6pm, June 16th); stirred by Iranian writer Marsha Mehran (left), (1pm, June 16th); informed by Ziauddin Sardar's talk on Islam and Europe (6pm, June 17th); warmed by Seamus Heaney (8pm, June 15th). Plus Sara Berkeley, Peter Fallon, Conor O'Callaghan, John Carey, Niall MacMonagle and others. June 14-18th, www.dublinwritersfestival.com. art
Art
Elizabeth Magill's latest show for the Kerlin Gallery in Dublin is called Arborescence, with dreamy landscapes revolving around trees. It runs until July 10th (www.kerlin.ie). We also like the moody Irish landscape photographs of Gerry Dwyer, although we don't want you to make a special trip to see them: they are on show at Tallaght Hospital. The annual RHA exhibition at the Gallagher Gallery at 15 Ely Place, Dublin 2 runs until July 8th.
Sport
Ireland will play England next Tuesday in a one-day cricket international in Stormont. On Thursday, the US Open takes flight at Winged Foot in New York State, with Tiger Woods (left) back on the greens after his father's death. In New Zealand, the land of spears and tackles, Ireland meet the All Blacks today. In Germany, England play Paraguay today, and tomorrow the key match is between Holland and Serbia Montenegro.