All the world's a stage in Dún Laoghaire

SOME 200,000 people are expected to take to the streets of Dún Laoghaire in the coming days for the Festival of World Cultures, an international carnival which is set to be the centrepiece of a busy weekend of music, sport and culture across the country.

The line-up for the two-day celebration of all things intercultural features a range of global music, markets, arts, crafts and food.

It starts today and boasts an eclectic selection of over 100 bands and artists from as far afield as Mali and Argentina.

This year’s festival features traditional, experimental, tribal and folk music and the acts will perform on 17 stages dotted around the town.

Organisers say that, in keeping with the current economic situation, over 90 per cent of this year’s events are free.

Festival director Jody Ackland said she was hoping for good weather, a good atmosphere and that those who attend leave with something special to remember.

“We really hope that people who come can walk away after the weekend feeling enriched and that they have had a unique experience here in Dún Laoghaire,” she said.

Ms Ackland said Hotel Kiev, an outdoor music and arts installation, which takes place at the Royal Marine Hotel tonight, was generating a lot of interest.

Ukrainian group DakhaBrakha will provide musical accompaniment to a visual art installation by Dublin artist Ciarán McClelland, which will be projected onto the facade of the hotel from 10.30pm.

Ms Ackland said another highlight of the festival would be Feast Americana, a celebration of American country music, food and culture, which takes place in Clarinda Park from 11am to 7pm today and tomorrow.

A full festival programme is available at: www.festivalofworldcultures.com

Elsewhere, the Dunmore East Bluegrass festival continues in Co Waterford until tomorrow night.

The annual festival, which features a selection of acts from Ireland and America, promises fine dining, dancing and jamming all day and night in a town that has become know as a “Bluegrass picker’s paradise.”

The Belsonic music festival continues in Belfast’s Custom House Square today with Bell X1, Duke Special, David Kitt and The Magic Numbers following in the footsteps of Dizzee Rascal, Crystal Castles and 2manydjs who entertained huge crowds at the festival over the last two nights.

In Dublin, the small matter of who will face Cork in next month’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final will be decided tomorrow.

Long-time football heavyweights Kerry take on Meath at Croke Park at 3.30pm, and they will be eager to silence their critics and reach the final to try to avenge their loss to Cork in the Munster Championship earlier this summer.