What’s on around Ireland this weekend?

All-Ireland football finals

Kerry and Donegal will contest both the 2014 minor and senior All Ireland football finals at Croke Park on Sunday. Kerry are looking for their 37th senior title, while Donegal are hoping to take home the Sam Maguire for just the third time. Throw in for the senior game is at 3.30pm, while the minor teams will take to the field for a 1.15pm throw in. gaa.ie

Big Beach Clean

Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean is an international event. Last year, over 640,000 volunteers in 92 countries removed 5,580 tonnes of marine litter from oceans around the world. A beach clean up will take place on Saturday at 3pm on Donabate beach. Volunteers are most welcome and gloves, bags and litter will be provided. donabateportranecommunity.com/the-big-beach-clean

Irish National Hot Air Ballooning Championships

The Irish Hot Air Ballooning festival returns to the Woodlands hotel in Waterford city this Sunday until next Friday September 26th. Over 40 balloons will attend, making it one of the biggest ballooning events in Ireland for many years. In addition to balloon launches, balloonists are planning a spectacular Night Glow, where they will inflate at night to the sound of music. There will also be meet and greet events. Admission is free.

[ facebook.com/DiscoverWaterfordBalloon ]

Stitches in time: fashion inspired by soldiers and chiefs

The launch of "Stitches in time: fashion inspired by soldiers and chiefs", will take place at 2pm on Saturday at the National Museum of Ireland — Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks. The exhibition will feature 12 garments designed by LSAD-LIT fashion students and is inspired by uniforms and other artefacts on display at the museum covering themes such as The Wild Geese, World War I and II, and The Irish Defence Forces.

[ museum.ie ]

Clonakilty International Guitar Festival

The 10th Clonakilty International Guitar Festival started on Thursday and continues until Sunday. Workshops and performances take place in various venues around the town. Previous performers include Luka Bloom and Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth fame. On Saturday, trad guitarist Steve Cooney will host a workshop at 1pm in Spillers Lane. The session trail will feature Jon Gomm, John Spillane, and Maria Doyle Kennedy amongst others. Most events are free. clonguitarfest.com

Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival

A multi-disciplinary festival that began on September 5th, the Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival showcases emerging Irish arts companies as well as contemporary theatre and dance shows. Events continue until Saturday at various locations around Dublin. fringefest.com

Dragonforce

Whelans host British power metal merchants Dragonforce this Sunday. Known for their virtuoso guitar solos and fantasy lyrics, they are touring their 6 th studio album, called Maximum Overload. The album includes one of their fastest ever songs, The Game, which clocks in at 240 bpm and beats a record they had already broken on their previous album. Tickets are €21.50. whelanslive.com

RM Hubbert

The Hole in the Wall in Kilkenny city will host Scottish guitarist RM Hubbert this Saturday. Also known as Hubby, he is best known for his solo work and as a member of Scottish post rock band El Hombre Trajeado. Along with his own gigs, he has played support slots for Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Franz Ferdinand and King Creosote. His last album, Thirteen Lost & Found, won Scottish album of the year in 2013. His latest release, Breaks & Bone was short listed for Scottish Album of the Year in 2014. holeinthewall.ie

Comeraghs Wild Festival

The Comeragh mountains in County Waterford is hosting an innovative family friendly cultural festival celebrating the heritage of the local area. The festival highlights the natural beauty and diverseness of the region. The festival began on Thursday and continues until Sunday. Events will take place in the Comeraghs, along the Copper Coast and in Dungarven. On Saturday, The Harvest Moon Walk will end with a staging of Lackendarra Jim, a play about a hermit who lived on the Comeragh mountains. comeraghswild.com

That’s Limerick City

On Saturday, as part of the Limerick City of Culture, the Milk Market in Limerick will host a legacy project which will document the history of the city through the lives of its citizens. Keynote speakers will include Blindboy Boatclub from the Rubberbandits and local historian Liam Irwin. Musicians from the Noel Hogan curated Pigtown Fling will also take part. limerickcityofculture.ie

Kilruddery Film Festival

Situated in Kilruddery House and Gardens in Bray, Co. Wicklow, the annual film festival celebrates classic and silent cinema. This years festival includes rarely seen films selected by filmmaker Andrew Legge. The festival includes Foley workshops and animation workshops for adults and children. The festival continues until Sunday.

[ killruddery.com ]