What's on this weekend

BRIAN O'CONNELLlooks at some of the events taking place around the country

Cork

Fair

The annual Cork City Book Fair takes place at the Gresham Metropole Hotel from 11am to 4pm on Sunday. Thousands of out-of-print books and collectables will be on offer from a range of booksellers. Admission €2, children are free. Tel: 028-37317

Clare

Festival

Village Carnival is a three-day music festival in Newmarket-on-Fergus beginning today at 2pm. There will be a large open air concert tomorrow with The Republic of Loose and others. See villagecarnival.com

Dublin

Festival

The Accoustic Picnic – a one-night festival of music and poetry – takes place in the Back Loft gallery, Augustine St, Dublin 8, tonight from 8pm. Bring a picnic or a few beers and enjoy a night of eclectic

Irish talent, including music from Ríona Sally Hartman  and Peter Delaney and spoken word poetry from The Poetry Chicks and Stephen James Smith. Tickets €8 from rionasallyhartman.com or €10 on door

Louth

Music

Enjoy a summer stroll and some music on the grounds of Beaulieu House this evening with a night of classical, choral and traditional music. It begins at 7pm and tickets are €25. Booking essential. See antasice.org or tel: 086-2746153

Limerick

Theatre

The Limerick Youth Theatre presents the final night of its take on Goethe's dark comedy Fausttonight at the Belltable Theatre. Directed by Simon Thompson, tickets are €10. Doors at 8pm. See belltable.ie

Cork

Bicycle festival

The singlespeed world championships take place in Ballyhoura this weekend, with a live music festival also running to mark the event. Bands performing include Delorentos tomorrow night. For tickets and listings see rockymayhem.ie

Heritage

Dozens of buildings in Cork open their doors to the public tomorrow as part of Heritage Week, including the Elizabeth Fort off Barrack Street and the Lifetime Lab on the Lee Road, which will host a special water day for families. Also tomorrow, the Coal Quay Festival takes place from midday to 6pm including a photographic exhibition and story telling. See heritageweek.ie

Dublin

Open day

One of the city’s most historically significant townhouses opens its doors to the public tomorrow. The Merrion Mews, which is also available for rent, is located off Merrion Square and includes working stables. It will open from 10am to 4pm. See irishlandmark.com

Lecture

At the Royal Society of Antiquaries on Merrion Square tomorrow, Geraldine Stout will lead a talk on St Mary’s Abbey and surrounding area using maps, historical sources and archaeology. The event is free and takes place from 11am to midday. Tel: 087-656 5483

Open day

The second annual Dublin Garden Squares Day takes place tomorrow in Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Square, Mountjoy Square, Iveagh Gardens and St Stephen’s Green. Events include live music, walking tours, chess and children’s entertainment. Runs from 10am to 5.30pm. Admission free. See dublincivictrust.ie

Tipperary

Festival

The Loughmore Harvest Festival this Sunday features old-style threshing, dog shows, pony rides and a hurling crossbar challenge between Tipperary and Kilkenny. It starts at 1.30pm, in the village of Loughmore, between Thurles and Templemore. See loughmore.com

Belfast

Festival

The third Féile an Driochead festival takes place in Belfast this weekend, celebrating all things Celtic and Irish. Tonight, the programme features Co Antrim folk band The Rapparees, while tomorrow, there are music workshops all day, and on Sunday, The Gloaming end the festival. See androichead.com