Visit an island of variety

INISHBOFIN, Co Galway, is the venue for a weekend of painting, drawing and walking to be held on the island from April 11th to 13th. Artist Margaret Tuffy and experienced hill-walker John Harrison are the guides. The cost of the weekend, which is based at the Doonmore Hotel, is £155 for those travelling from Dublin and £130 from Galway.

Other courses on offer on Inishbofin over the Coming weeks are set dancing on April 25th to 27th and June 6th to 8th; aromatherapy and walking on April 25th to 27th and song and storytelling on May 23rd to 25th. Information on all the above is available from Margaret Murray (tel/fax: (095) 45804) or Bernie Dwyer (tel: (01) 832 4169).

Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design will hold a summer school during the first two weeks of July aimed at those preparing for entry to third-level courses in art and design, professional graphic designers who want to upgrade their skills and members of the public wishing to try their hand at a creative activity.

The third-level preparation programme is based around practical workshops covering portfolio assembly, film and TV production, animation and photography. The course for graphic designers covers the Macintosh in commercial design, a foundation course in AutoCAD and introduction to art processes.

The beginners' course offers people the chance to have a go at painting, drawing, ceramics, photography and script writing. A brochure is available from Noreen Daly (tel: (01) 280 1138).