BRIAN O'CONNELLlooks at some of the events taking place around the country
CORK
Exhibition
An exhibition of work by sculptor Eilis O’Connell opens at 7pm this evening at the West Cork Arts Centre in Skibbereen. The centre is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. See westcorkartscentre.com
CARLOW
Agricultural show
The annual Tullow Agricultural Show
takes place this Sunday with a range of events from livestock to sporting competitions. Admission €10 for adults, €5 for children. See tullowshow.com
TIPPERARY
Festival
The Fethard Walled Town festival, celebrating the medieval heritage of the area, starts today and runs until Sunday. It includes guided walks, live music and children’s entertainment and workshops. See fethardfestival.com
CAVAN
Festival
The annual Fleadh Cheoil continues until Monday, with street sessions, concerts and competitions, theatre and art installations. There’s also a Comhaltas exhibition at Cavan County Museum. See fleadh2011cavan.ie
CORK
Festival
The Decades Festival (above) takes places in bars and clubs around Cork city this weekend, with each venue choosing a decade and hosting a fancy dress party based on the 1920s, 1960s, etc. See decadesfestivalcork.ie for a list of venues
Open garden
Tomorrow, visitors can visit the plot on the grounds of Fota House from the recent How to Create a Garden show on RTÉ. The presenters of the show will be there between 10am and 2pm. Visits can also be arranged outside these times. See fotahouse.com
DUBLIN
Club
The monthly Burlesque Cabaret Social Club takes place tonight in the Sugar Club on Leeson Street. Irish and international performers take to the stage, with prizes for the best-dressed audience members. Doors open at 8pm and a DJ follows the show. See dublinburlesquefestival.com
Sea races
Open sea swimming races take place each weekend until September along the coast of Dublin, with up to 200 swimmers taking part. On Sunday, a race will take place from the RNLI station to the lighthouse in Dún Laoghaire and back. A family swim will be held before the main event at 2pm. Tel: 087 662 4375
FERMANAGH
Family fun
A fossil fun day takes place in Belleek village tomorrow and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm. Kids can make their own fossils, and experts will be there to answer any questions about the history of the area. See marblearchcavesgeopark.com
KILDARE
Exhibition
Castletown House, Ireland’s largest and earliest Palladian-style house, hosts a Famine exhibition from tomorrow until September 10th, marking this years National Famine Commemoration Day. Entry free. Tel: 01-628 8252
Life saving
The Red Cross will be at the White Cross shopping centre tomorrow to teach life-saving skills to shoppers. The training takes place all day and is free. The charity is also asking for old mobile phones to be donated. See redcrosskildare.ie
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