Bernice Harrisonon alternatives to the movies and the mall
Sean-Nós Dance Festival
Earlier this year the Mulkerrin Brothers from Inis Mór showed that sean-nós dancing is not only a living traditional art, it's one practised by children. The three brothers, aged from nine to 14, won RTÉ's All-Ireland Talent Show.
This weekend the small Sligo village of Rathcormac, near Drumcliffe on the N15, is holding the Cos Cos Sean Nós Dance Festival to promote the traditional dance form through workshops, concerts, céilí and dancing, as well as lilting, storytelling and music.
Highlights include tonight's Youth Concert in the parish hall at 7pm where performers from all over Sligo will take to the stage. Tomorrow at 3pm also in the parish hall, the legendary Kilfenora Céilí band will give a concert.
The outdoor session in the town at noon tomorrow should inspire and encourage would-be young dancers to give it a go, but for those with a little more knowledge of sean-nós dancing there'll be a door-dancing competition at 1.30pm with three age categories - under 10, 12 and 18 - as well as an adult section.
Take a minute to look in the roadside park at the statue of local patriot and icon of the Irish revolution, Countess Markievicz (nee Constance Gore-Booth) who was born at nearby Lissadell House.
If the weather is good, nip down to nearby Strandhill beach to the see the surfers in action.
www.coscos.ie