BRIAN O'CONNELL presents a round-up of summer events taking place around the country
KILKENNY EVENTS
The Kilkenny Arts Festival starts today. The Hubert Butler Annual Lecture by Roy Foster is in St Canice’s Cathedral at 6pm tonight. www.kilkennyarts.ie Tomorrow at 9.30pm there will also be an event celebrating 10 years of the KCAT Art and Study Centre in Callan. The event includes a night-time spectacle of fire sculptures, puppets, drama and fireworks.
MUSIC AT BALLYMALOE
The Grain Store is a new venue located in the grounds of Ballymaloe House. This Sunday, Eleanor Shanley and friends from De Dannan (below) take to the stage at 8pm. Tickets are €20/15, or an early dinner package is €60. 021-4652531, www.thegrainstore atballymaloe.com
WALKS IN THE SPERRINS
The annual walking festival takes place this weekend, starting today, and suits walkers of all abilities. Today’s events include a family fun day in the forest, starting at noon. 048-8674700, www.discovernorthernireland.com
SHIRLEY VALENTINE
Tonight and tomorrow is the last chance to see Shirley Valentine at the Wexford Opera House, starring Nicola Hollinshead. Tickets are €15/12, or €40 for a family of two adults and two children. 053-9122400, www.wexfordoperahouse.ie
TOUR SHANDON
A visit to Shandon could include the Tower of Shandon, ringing the famous bells, a tour of the nearby Cork Butter Museum, and end with a bag of clove rocks at Linehan’s sweet factory. www.shandonbells.org
GLIN PLAYGROUND
To celebrate the opening of Glin playground, two days of family-centred events take place tomorrow and Sunday in the Co Limerick village. Highlights include a tractor and vintage rally, terrier racing, jazz music and the official opening of the playground tomorrow at 6pm.
SUMMER OF HERITAGE
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Co Council’s programme of opening up access to heritage sites continues throughout the summer, with a range of free events for adults and children. Tours featuring actors take place at Cabinteely and Marlay houses, the Oratory on Library Road in Dún Laoghaire, the Obelisk on Killiney Hill, and Deansgrange cemetery. All tours start at noon or 1pm. 01-2054700, www.dlrevents.ie
MOUNT USHER GARDENS
Every Saturday this month, musicians will play classical music and jazz, with servings of strawberries and cream in the gardens, as well as children’s events. Tomorrow, it’s Tadhg and Oisín Walsh-Peelo. Admission €7/6, and €3 for under 16s. www.mountushergardens.ie
KICKHAM COUNTRY WEEKEND
This event begins tonight at 8.30pm in the Community Hall in Mullinahone with Prof Willie Nolan speaking on Maurice Browne’s novel, The Big Sycamore. Tomorrow at 1.30pm, Michael Coady conducts a historical tour of Carrick-on-Suir. 087-1300626
CARILLION DUO
The husband-and- wife team of Anna Maria Reverté and Koen van Assche present a recital at St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh this Sunday at 4.30pm, including excerpts from Beethoven’s Symphony No Six. Admission is free.
GAA FOR BEGINNERS
A coaching day for GAA, where novices can learn hurling, handball, gaelic football and camogie, is on tomorrow from 4-6pm at Clanna Gael GAA in Ringsend. 087-9460750
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