Sept 29th - Oct 5th
The play's the thing
At 50, Dublin Theatre Festival, which started on Thursday and runs until October 14th, is the world's oldest English-language theatre festival. This year it features 33 shows, including Sebastian Barry's The Pride of Parnell Street; Bisi Adigun and Roddy Doyle's reimagining of Synge's The Playboy of the Western World, at the Abbey; Druid's Long Day's Journey into Night, at the Gaiety; Sankai Juku's Olivier Award-winning Hibiki; and a treat for children, Michael Morpugo's Private Peaceful. See www.dublintheatrefestival.com.
We could be heroes
More than 100 emerging bands play at the Hard Working Class Heroesfestival this weekend. There'll also be a photography exhibition, speed-dating, mentor sessions with grizzled industry pros and a smattering of Nordic bands as part of the "Scandinavian Invasion". This year's event takes place at a single venue, the Pod complex on Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, which means you don't have to hightail it between venues as in previous years. See www.hwch.net.
An apple a day
Most supermarkets only stock Royal Gala and Granny Smiths, but the heritage orchard at Irish Seed Savers in Scariff, Co Clare, boasts more than 200 varieties of apple. Tomorrow from 12-5pm is Apple Dayat Seed Savers, so you can introduce your palate to the delights of organically grown varieties such as Irish Peach and Kerry Pippin. Learn how to establish an organic orchard; enjoy tastings and guided tours; and sit in on a talk by slow-food beekeeper Aoife Ní Giollacoda. www.irishseedsavers.ie.
Rotary
The Rotary International Conferencetakes place this weekend at Rochestown Park Hotel, in Cork, with more than 700 delegates expected to attend. This year's conference theme is "Ireland - The Way Forward"; speakers include PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, Fergal Keane, Dr Sean Healy and oncologist Dr Seamus O'Reilly. See www.rotaryconference.ie.
Life begins at . . .
More than 400 events nationwide mark Positive Ageing Week, which runs until October 6th. An exhibition at House 29 on Merrion Square, Dublin 2, features the best entries from this year's Age Action photography competition, including pictures of a 68-year-old marathon runner and a 73-year-old body boarder. www.ageaction.ie.
In concert
Sunday: Kate Walsh (Sugar Club, Dublin); Tuesday: Gwen Stefani (RDS, Dublin); Los Campesinos (Whelan's, Dublin); Thursday: De La Soul (Spirit, Dublin), Don McLean, (Royal Theatre, Castlebar); Friday: Future Kings of Spain (Dolans, Limerick).
And finally . . .
Ireland play Argentina tomorrow at 5pm in Parc de Princes, Paris. Enough said.