Opera in the garden

Opera lovers will be heading for Oldcastle, Co Meath this June Bank Holiday weekend for Loughcrew Garden Opera's production of La Traviataat the Loughcrew Estate.

The acclaimed Irish soprano Claudia Boyle – who is booked for the Salzburg Festival later this summer – will sing the role of high-class courtesan Violetta for the first time, while Alfredo will be played by tenor Paul Austin Kelly, who has had leading roles at the Met, La Scala and Covent Garden. On Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th, the gates will open for picnics from 4pm. Tickets cost €85-€105, and bookings can be made by tel: 049-8541356. See loughcrew.com.