A round-up of summer events today and tomorrow
PATTERN FESTIVAL
The third annual Ardmore Pattern Festival begins tomorrow and runs until Sunday. The weekend's events start with a pageant in honour of St Declan, followed by mass featuring the Kilkenny Gospel Choir. www.ardmore patternfestival.ie.
LIGHTHOUSE TALK
As part of the Féile Iorrais Festival in Belmullet, Co Mayo, Brian McGuire narrates a slideshow from the archives of the Commissioners of Irish Lights tomorrow night. This will be followed by storytelling on lighthouses. The event is free and takes place at Eachléim Heritage Centre, at 8.30pm, followed by traditional music. 097-81079, www.feileiorras.org
BETTER THAN THE REAL THING?
Couldn't afford a ticket to U2 this weekend? Then perhaps the next best thing is U2 tribute act Vertigo, who take to the stage in the Button Factory in Temple Bar at 7.30pm tonight. 01-6709202, www.button factory.ie
TAKE A PARACHUTE AND JUMP
As one of the oldest parachute clubs in the world, for more than half a century this organisation has been helping people land on their feet from great heights. Recently, the club facilitated a jump by Mary McNicholas, who became Ireland's oldest tandem jumper aged 77. The club is located in Edenderry, Co Offaly. 1850-260600,
ARCHAEOLOGY DIG
Visitors can take part in a mock archaeological dig at the Tower Museum in Derry today and Saturday at 2pm. There is no extra charge for the event, and general admission is £2.50-4 (€2.90-4.60). The museum is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sunday, 11am to 3pm. 048-71372411, www.derrycity.gov.uk
CONTEMPORARY DANCE
International dance artists Carlos Cortes, Liz Lea and Matthew Morris have been engaged with residencies at the Firkin Crane in Cork for the past few weeks. The artists present a sample of their work, titled Blank canvas - Phase 2,tomorrow at 1pm. Admission is free and the performance is due to last one hour. 021-4507487, www.firkincrane.ie
