Weekend events roundup
A round-up of the weekend's main events around the country:
Fleadh Cheoil, Cavan (Until August 20th)
The full programme of events, competitions and entertainment at the annual Fleadh runs until August 20th. Tomorrow, accordionist Sharon Shannon performs with a 40-piece orchestra at the Liberty Insurance Dome at 8.30pm. Admission is €20.
On Sunday night, the same venue plays host to Liam Lawton and his band, with Marie-Therese McCartin.
Other high-calibre talents performing throughout the week include Eleanor Shanley and Friends on Tuesday night and Altan and Clannad on Thursday.
Musicians of all ages from under 12 to senior will take part in competitions, showcasing their skills on instruments such as fiddle, accordion, flute, whistle, concertina, uilleann pipes, harp, mouth organ, banjo, mandolin, piano, tin whistle, melodeon, bodhrán, war pipes and drums.
Tullamore Show
The show will definitely go ahead on Sunday, after the organisers rejected false reports earlier in the month that it had been cancelled.
They insist the showgrounds on the Butterfield Estate are in “very good shape” despite the “less than summer-like weather”.
A crowd of some 60,000 is expected. The grounds open at 7am for exhibitors and 9am for spectators. There are 20,000 free car park spaces and a free shuttle bus from Tullamore town to the show grounds.
Competition categories include dairy cattle, pedigree cattle, commercial cattle, sheep, horses, including Clydesdales and showjumping, alpacas, poultry and sheep dog trials.
Home industry competitions will feature horticulture and farm produce, as well as cookery, crafts, needlework and art and photography.
Clonmel busking festival
The Co Tipperary town again plays host to its summer busking festival in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.
Among the talented line-up, are musicians Don Baker, Rob Strong, the Dublin City Ramblers, John Spillane, Richie Kavanagh, the Ray Cunningham Ceili Band, the 4 of Us, Morrissey and Daniels and the Lost Brothers.
The festival started on Thursday and runs until Sunday.
Kilkenny Arts Festival (Until August 19th)
This annual festival is now a staple in the Marble City’s calendar, bringing excellence in art, music, literature, dance, theatre, film and street performance in a vibrant environment.
Kilkenny also has the honour this year of hosting Shakespeare’s Globe on its first visit to Ireland.
Director James Dacre brings his production of one of the Bard’s best-loved comedies to the city.
The small band of travelling players take up residence in the Castle Yard throughout the festival to perform As You Like It, using a stage based on paintings and etchings from Shakespeare’s time. A limited number of tickets is available for tomorrow and Sunday. Dacre will take spectators behind the scenes of the production, offering insight into the work of the leading theatre company, in conversation with Fiach Mac Conghail at the Parade Tower tomorrow at noon.
