A walking tour of Dublin's literary and Georgian landmarks begins each day at 10.30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Daytimes
The walkers should congregate at the James Joyce Room of Bewley's Café, on Grafton Street, Dublin. Each walk takes about two hours, weather permitting. The cost per person, with a cup of tea or coffee included, is €7. No booking is needed. Inquiries to 01-496 0641 or 01-269 7021.
Nighttimes
Tonight writer Rita Kelly (above) leads an evening of poetry, storytelling and music in the town hall of Tipperary's Terryglass, on the shores of Lough Derg, beginning at 8 p.m. She will be joined by local writers and musicians for an evening of shared thoughts and musings. The event is part of the Terryglass Arts Festival, which runs until Sunday September 1st. Anúna take to the altar in Terryglass Church for a candlelit night tomorrow.
Sunday promises to be an action-packed day in the village square, with puppet shows, jazz, street theatre, a craft fair, exhibitions, mime and much more. For more information, contact 067-448 52.
Childtimes
Before the holidays end, some children might like to visit a working farm where they can feed and hold different animals and poultry, and see how the farm is run. There are eight farms around the country which are organised by Agri Aware to cater for visits from young people. To get more information about a Top Visitor Farm contact Mary Corcoran, at Turoe House, Ballaun, Loughrea, Co Galway, at 091-841 580, or e-mail turoefarm@esatclear.ie
My native county: Dublin
Peter Pearson, painter, writer and architectural historian
Three of my favourite places:
1 Around Dublin Castle, in particular, the Chapel Royal, which is a very attractive little building and not that well-known to Dubliners. It's a miniature Gothic cathedral. It's got very interesting and colourful stained-glass windows with the coats of arms of all the viceroys who came to Ireland, starting in 1170.
2 The quays of the Liffey, especially Ormond Quay and Gratton Bridge, because there are so many of the original Georgian houses left standing. You have Sunlight Chambers, which has the beautiful ceramic ornamentation overlooking the bridge. The river is really the spiritual core of Dublin.
3 Up around the Fruit Market, which is still held there. Built in the 1890s, it's run by Dublin Corporation. It's an old building near Capel Street that is still in use. It's a lovely bustling place. If you want a box of apples that's the place to go. - Catherine Foley
Just-in-times: lateoffers
The Far East is renowned for the quality of accommodation and service in its five star hotels. Malaysia, in particular, has a lot to offer visitors. Joe Walsh Tours can take you on a trip to remember, with three nights at the Renaissance KL Hotel, which is close enough to the city of Kuala Lumpur (above) to shop. Onwards then to Langkawi, to the Tanjung Rhu Resort hotel, in its romantic setting at the northernmost tip of the island. Seven nights, all meals, including a private BBQ on the beach, are included in the package price of €1869. Available up to mid-December. Phone 01 678 9555 for more details - or you can book through by your local travel agent .
Joan Scales (jscales@irish-times.ie)
All About August is edited by Angela Long and Sheila Wayman, august@irish-times.ie
