Your guide to this summer's festivals, concerts and films

EDEL MORGANand CIAN TRAYNORgive a rundown on a selection of the summer's top events

June:

1. THEATREMan 1, Bank 0

Patrick Combs comes to Ireland with his smash hit show which tells the true story of how he lodged a $95,000 junk mail cheque into his bank account. The show kicks off in Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co Donegal, for one performance and then tours venues nationwide until until the 29th. man1bank0.com

MUSICAL THEATREJoseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Starring Keith Jack, runner-up on BBC’s Any Dream will Do, in the title role, at the Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin. Until 11th. grandcanaltheatre.ie

ARTKahlo and Rivera

Don’t miss the chance see the work of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin. Until 26th. modernart.ie

2. FESTIVALThe Clancy Brothers Music and Arts Festival

A battle of the buskers is a new addition to the line-up at the Carrick-on-Suir festival where Mundy and Paddy Casey top the bill at an open air concert. Also free family fun, drama, and an art trail. Until 5th. clancybrothersfestival.org

THEATREShakespeare

Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Project Arts Centre,Temple Bar, Dublin, Loose Canon Theatre Company has taken the original play and turned it into a tale of lust, rejection and self denial. Until 18th. projectartscentre.ie

COMEDYCat Laughs Festival

Some 40 Irish and international comedy acts in 67 shows, including Limerick’s Rubberbandits, the jazz-infused Horne Section, Afternoon De-Write with David O’Doherty, plus Tommy Tiernan, Jason Byrne, Savage Eye’s John Colleary, Maeve Higgins, Ardal O’Hanlon, Barry Murphy and Jarlath Regan. Until 6th catlaughs.com

5. DANCEMonica Loughman's Academy of Russian Ballet

Students of all ages perform ballet excerpts from old favourites including Swan Lake, Giselle and Nutcracker in Draoícht’s main auditorium. draoicht.ie

7. WORKSHOPRuaille Buaille Lucan!

The Irish Chamber Orchestra conducts a week-long children’s music festival with masterclasses from world class musicians and ending with an open-air performance on Lucan village green of Hansel and Gretel. Until 11th. southdublin.ie

9. LIVE MUSICBulmers Live at Leopardstown

The first in a series of mini-music festivals that take place every Thursday throughout the summer – with horse racing thrown in. Sharon Shannon and Damien Dempsey open the series with the Undertones playing on the 16th and Cathy Davey on the 30th. Ends with the Horslips on August 11th. leopardstown.com

10. FESTIVALÉigse Carlow Arts Festival

Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy, comedian Jason Byrne and poetry reading by Paul Durcan are among the highlights of the festival which include a cool line up of music, theatre and visual arts. eigse.com

CRAFT21st century icons

The National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, hosts jewellers who respond to the idea of creating neckpieces that convey something about us – as Irish people - to the world. Until 28th July. ccoi.ie

11. LITERATUREBloomsday

A jam-packed week of activities to commemorate Bloomsday including Dubliners and In the Footsteps of Leopold Bloom walking tours and a Bloomsday walk on the 16th. There will be readings and songs and later operas and airs, in St Stephen’s Green. jamesjoyce.ie

CULTURAL EXCHANGEThai Cultural Family Day

Just one in a long list of exciting summer events at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. Enjoy Thai Dance and explore the Library’s collection. This event is free but booking is essential. cbl.ie

FESTIVALCork Midsummer Festival

The 16-day festival has a free open-air live screening of Puccini’s Tosca in FitzGerald Park and includes appearances by Camille O’Sullivan and Cathy Davey at the Murphy’s Spiegeltent. Until 26th. corkmidsummer.com

THEATREDockers

Martin Lynch’s play, starring Marie Jones and Patrick Jenkins and directed by Andrew Flynn, opens at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast. Until July 10th. lyrictheatre .co.uk

12. CLASSICALKBC Music in Great Irish Houses Festival

This chamber music festival opens in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin with haunting sounds composed and performed at Terezin concentration camp, where music gave hope in a time of despair. Other concerts include period ensemble La Serenissima, Quatuor Ebène and Pavel Haas Quartet in historic venues such as Castletown House and the Freemason’s Hall. Until 19th. musicgreatirishhouses.com

FESTIVALÉigse Carlow Arts Festival

Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy, comedian Jason Byrne and poet Paul Durcan are among the highlights of the festival which include a cool line up of music, theatre and visual arts. Until 19th. eigse.com

16. ARTThe Celtic Twilight

An exploration of the tensions between the Celtic Revival of Irish arts and literature in the early 20th century and the birth of the modernist movement in Ireland. At the Model, the Mall, Sligo. Until Sept 11th. themodel.ie

FESTIVALLet's French Festival

Now in its sixth year, a mix of concerts and screenings in venues around Dublin. It opens at the Mercantile, Dame St with a performance by Stranded Horse, a French musician with a dreamlike quality. The festival also has screenings of French films at the IFI and hosts a Basque evening. Until 25th. lets-french.ie

17. FILMMaureen O'Hara Classic Film Festival

The offspring of some well-known Hollywood names will be jetting in to Glengarriff, west Cork, including Susan Bernard, daughter of photographer Bernard of Hollywood and Errol Flynn’s daughter Rory Flynn. An intriguing mix of Hitchcock thrillers, spaghetti westerns and musicals. Until 26th. maureenoharafoundation.com

17. GARDENINGSouth East Garden Show

A must for anyone who wants to add some colour to their garden, the three-day show at the Hub, Cillin Hill, Dublin Road, Kilkenny will be awash with the vibrant hues of plants, herbs, hanging baskets and pots. Until 19th. thehubkilkenny.ie

19. FESTIVALMayo Alive

The third-largest county will be coming to six historic locations in Dublin for a free day of culture, adventure, music and food. Locations include Smock Alley outdoor stage, Wood Quay and the grounds of Christ Church. mayoalivefestival.com

20. SUMMER SCHOOLBlas International Summer School

An intensive two-week programme of traditional music, song and dance at the University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy of Music with tuition from muscians, singers and dancers including Paul Brady, Mícheál Ó Suilleabhaín, and Donal Lunny. Until July 1st. blas.ie

22. FESTIVALOpen House Festival

Six days of free performances, workshops and masterclasses rumble from the pubs of Belfast city’s Cathedral Quarter. The boutique festival attracts more than 50 international and local acts of traditional Irish, Americana, Bluegrass and Alt country tunes, including Seasick Steve, Wilco and Old Crow Medicine Show. openhousefestival.com

23. DANCERiverdance

Now in its 16th year, Riverdance is back in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin until August 28th and at the INEC Killarney, from August 30th to September 4th. There will be Sunday performances for the first time and a reduced-price family ticket. riverdance.com

26. THEATREThe Cripple of Inishmaan

The critically acclaimed Druid production of The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh is on Inis Meáin for the final stop of a five month tour. Residents of the Aran Islands get priority booking. druid.ie

28. THEATREMolly Sweeney

Molly Sweeney by Brian Friel opens at the Gate Theatre, Dublin (previews from June 23rd). Starring Dawn Bradfield and directed by Patrick Mason. A compelling and moving drama which tells the story of a woman, blind since infancy, who has the chance to regain her sight. gatetheatre.ie

30. FESTIVALWaterford Tall Ships

The headline acts at Waterford’s quayside festival include Bryan Ferry and the Waterboys. The programme features street acts, comedy, an artisan food village and Keith Barry will working his magic on the masses. Until July 3rd. waterfordtallshipsrace.ie

1. PHOTOGRAPHYPhotoIreland Festival 2011

Now in its second year, an international festival of photography featuring over 250 photographers exhibiting in more than 30 venues around Dublin. Until 31st. photoireland.org

LIVE MUSICGlee

The cast of the hit musical comedy TV series perform four shows in two days at Dublin’s O2, bringing their distinctively twee take on show tunes and chart hits. Expect Beatlemania-levels of hysteria: the kind that has resulted in more than 21 million digital single sales and nine million album sales. ticketmaster.ie

DANCEIrish Youth Dance Festival

The Dublin Youth Dance Company’s annual festival, now in its 11th year, returns for two nights at Dún Laoghaire’s Pavilion Theatre to showcase the next generation of talent. The programme features the Tetris-like outdoor piece Block Party, as well as the premiere of Lilith, the company’s latest choreography by artistic director Mariam Ribón. dancetheatreireland.com

3. BOOKSWest Cork Literary Festival

Bantry’s week-long celebration of literature opens with with guests including Sen David Norris, Pauline McLynn and Ardal O’Hanlon paying light-hearted tributes to their influences. The schedule is packed with workshops, panel discussions and readings – including appearances from John Banville and David Mitchell. Until 9th. westcorkliteraryfestival.ie

4. WORKSHOPDraíocht Arts Centre

A series of art workshops in Blanchardstown, Dublin, giving under-12s the opportunity to study and recreate famous works by Van Gogh and Henry Moore, culminating in an exhibition for family and friends. Until 8th. draiocht.ie

6. FESTIVALCairde

Sligo’s annual cultural festival celebrating music, food, arts and crafts returns with more than 50 events across the county. Highlights include Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo in concert with Donal Lunny; the slapstick theatrics of Cirque de Légume, as well as Canadian theatre group Bunk Puppets performing Sticks, Stones and Broken Bones – a shadow puppet ensemble of flying chickens, brain transplants and martial arts. Until 10th. cairdefestival.com

7. DANCECoppélia

The Birmingham Royal Ballet presents four performances of the timeless classic at Dublin’s Grand Canal Theatre, choreography by Marius Petipa, Enrico Cecchetti and Peter Wright, under the direction of the ballet company’s director laureate, Peter Wright. Until 9th. grandcanaltheatre.ie

8. FILMThe Guard

Brendan Gleeson does a turn as a lackadaisical but combustive garda in this darkly comic thriller by writer and director John Michael McDonagh. The script is packed with deadpan one-liners riffing off Don Cheedle’s bemused FBI agent who finds himself adrift in the west of Ireland. Its release is anticipated as a welcome antidote to the usual summer blockbuster fare.

CLASSICALRTÉ National Symphony Orchestra

South African soprano Sarah-Jane Brandon makes her NSO debut as part of its summer concert series with performances of Dvorák’s Song to the Moon, Mozart’s Dove sono (The Marriage of Figaro) and Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien. Tickets range from €9-€35. nch.ie

9. FESTIVALKinsale Arts Week

The week-long festival in Cork featuring concerts by Nouvelle Vague and the Undertones, comedy from Jarlath Regan, and exhibitions by ceramicist Frances Lambe and photographer Tarquin Blake. Until 17th. kinsaleartsweek.com

10. SUMMER SCHOOLSamuel Beckett Summer School

Trinity College Dublin presents an academic programme of 10 lectures exploring the work of one of its most famous graduates. Guest speakers include actor Barry McGovern and academic Linda Ben-Zvi. Until 16th. beckettsummerschool.com

11. FESTIVALGalway Arts Festival

The country’s biggest arts festival returns with two weeks of theatre, art, comedy and street performance. The Festival Big Top stages a series of concerts featuring Blondie, Bell X1 and De La Soul and other highlights will be announced tomorrow. Until 24th. galwayartsfestival.com

SUMMER SCHOOLThe Percy French Summer School

Based at Castlecoote House on the River Suck in Co Roscommon, this three-day event honours the life and work of the songwriter, painter, poet and journalist. Guest speakers, including Tim Pat Coogan, TD Luke “Ming” Flanagan and Patsy McGarry, explore the link between French and Cardinal John Henry Newman. percyfrench.ie

SUMMER SCHOOLDance All Day

Dance Theatre of Ireland is holding one-week modern dance summer camps for 13- to 17-year-olds until the 15th; followed by a camp for eight- to 12-year-olds (18th-22nd) at Dún Laoghaire’s Bloomfield Shopping Centre. dancetheatreireland.com

12. LIVE MUSICJames Taylor

With his 1970 breakthrough album Sweet Baby James, James Taylor quickly became a singer-songwriter with serious commercial appeal. He returns to the O2 in Dublin on the back of last year’s Troubadour Reunion Tour – one of the highest grossing worldwide. ticketmaster.ie

15. FILMHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

The final instalment in the Harry Potter series concludes Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s quest to find and destroy Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes. Arguably the highest-profile release of the summer, this one is likely to see a healthy box-office return on its $250 million budget.

16. LIVE MUSICRichard Thompson

With 40 years worth of releases, Richard Thompson has proved himself to be one of the finest songwriters of his era. He returns to Dublin’s Vicar St to recreate the frenetic energy behind his Grammy-nominated, live recorded album Dream Attic. ticketmaster.ie

18. SUMMER SCHOOLSilk Worm Summer Club

The Chester Beatty Library hosts a week of free activities for 6- to 11-year-olds based on The Art Books of Henri Matisse exhibition, which will explore the artist’s use of colours, patterns and props. Until 22nd. cbl.ie

21. FESTIVALBoyle Arts Festival

The Roscommon town’s nine-day festival of art, music and literature includes performances from Cathy Davey and Gorgeous Colours as well as readings from Colm Tóibín and Michael D Higgins. Until 30th. boylearts.com

22. FILMCars 2

The highly anticipated 3D follow-up to the animated blockbuster hit of 2006, which is only the second Pixar film, after Toy Story, to have a sequel.

23. FESTIVALGerard Manley Hopkins 24th International Literary Festival

Celebrating the legacy of the Victorian poet in Newbridge, Co Kildare, with a classical concert, art exhibitions, lectures and field trips. Until 29th. gerardmanleyhopkins.org

24. LIVE MUSICJoanna Newsom

The incomparable harpist is joined by folk musician Bert Jansch and Choice Music Prize nominee James Vincent McMorrow in the tent at Marlay Park, Dublin. ticketmaster.ie

SUMMER SCHOOLYeats International Summer School

A two-week academic programme in Sligo featuring lectures and workshops focusing on poetry and drama as well as excursions to the heart of Yeats country. Until Aug 5th. yeats-sligo.com

27. FESTIVALThe Reich Effect

The Cork Opera House presents a five-day festival inspired by the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steve Reich. Events include a screening of the documentary Steve Reich: Phase to Face, followed by an interview with the composer, and concerts by Danish ensemble Efterklang and the experimental Kronos Quartet. Until 31st. corkoperahouse.ie

FESTIVALSpraoi Street Arts Festival

Three days of performance art and world music sprawling through the streets, squares and parks of Waterford. Until 31st. spraoi.com

LIVE MUSICMorrissey

The great romantic outsider and former Smiths frontman plays two relatively intimate gigs at Dublin’s Vicar Street. Until 30th. ticketmaster.ie

FESTIVALCastlepalooza

For one weekend every July, the grounds of Tullamore’s Charleville Castle hosts one of the best small music festivals in Ireland. This year, Naughty By Nature, Jape, Hudson Mohawke and Adebisi Shank are among the live acts while side-attractions include a day spa, drumming workshops and film screenings. Until 31st. castlepalooza.com

30. LIVE MUSICPrince

Putting his 2008 Croke Park cancellation behind him, the artist formerly known as “the artist formerly known as” comes to Malahide Castle, Dublin – his first Irish appearance since 2002. He suggests that audience members “bring foot spray, because it’s going to be funky”. ticketmaster.ie

FESTIVALWaterford Music Fest

A new one-day music festival at Waterford’s Regional Sports Centre sees a surprising pairing in rapper 50 Cent and former X Factor contestant Shayne Ward, supported by MC Flo Rida, girl group Wonderland and Dublin’s The Original Rudeboys. waterfordmusicfest.it

Three quirky festivals

LIVESTYLES HIPHOP FEST, CORK

June 3rd - 6th

It boasts of hosting Cork’s first “breakdance battle” and also has rap battles, as well as dance, graffiti and rapping workshops. livestylesfest.com

FLAT LAKE FESTIVAL

June 3rd to 5th

Any festival that revolves around author Pat McCabe (below with festival organiser Kevin Allen) hosting a radio show from a small caravan in Hilton Park, Clones, Co Monaghan is going to set a peculiar tone. This year it serves up a heady mix of poetry, eccentric discourse, music and creative family fun with some political commentary thrown in for good measure.

It’s also asking people to bring their typewriters. theflatlakefestival.com

TEMPLE HOUSE MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

June 10th - 12th

You can bring up to two kids along free to this Sligo event which features more than 100 Irish and international music acts , archery, a medieval village and battle re-enactments, and a magical plot for young festival goers. templehousefestival.com

Three for music

FORBIDDEN FRUIT, IMMA

June 4th - 5th

Its boast of being a “modern-day Garden of Eden” is impressive hyperbole, but the line up is impressive too. The Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo and Wild Beasts headline Saturday, with Aphex Twin and Battles on Sunday, but there are also fashion and art sideshows – as befitting its venue. A new festival, it has potential to be a cracker. forbiddenfruit.ie

WILLIE CLANCY SUMMER SCHOOL

July 2nd - 10th

A great week during which Miltown Malbay in Co Clare becomes the traditional music and céilí capital of the country. Being able to play is an advantage, but just soaking it up is as much fun. willieclancyfestival.com

OXEGEN

July 7th to 10th

A muddy field in Kildare, without many trimmings, but it always has the best line-up of any festival. This year’s headliners include Beyonce (left), Foo Fighters, Coldplay, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys and the Black Eyed Peas. A mixture of newly established indie acts (The Vaccines, Two Door Cinema Club), crowd-pleasing throwbacks (House of Pain, Slash) and novelty attractions (silent disco, 3D cinema) round-out the bill. oxe

Three for families

Annual Sheep Shearing and Wool Festival June 4th - 5th

The kids will love it, and everyone will leave with new sweaters. Highlights of this Kilkenny event include the sheep shearing (right) and wool handling championship and a young shepherd competition. sheepshearing2011.ie

Street Performance World Championship

June 11th -16th

Always a winner, and this year will feature the usual array of death defying stunts, contortionists and the chance that dad will be publicly embarrassed by being asked to volunteer. Starts at the People’s Park in Portlaoise and FitzGerald Park in Cork (June 11th - 12th) and moves to Merrion Square in Dublin from the 16th - 19th. spwc.ie

Peter Pan

July 15th - Aug 2nd

Dublin’s Grand Canal Theatre stages the world premiere of this musical version of the children’s classic, newly adapted for the stage. We believe in you, etc. grandcanaltheatre.ie