DIY Music Festival: Ireland's biggest grassroots/community music festival celebrates community, ethnic and independent music all this week with workshops and gigs at Dublin's City Arts Centre, Moss Street. An international festival with musicians, trainers and DJs from as far afield as Cameroon, Nigeria, Czech Republic, and Australia.
More Merriman: After yesterday's official opening, the Merriman School in Ennistymon, Co Clare gets down to business in earnest today. Lectures include "From local to global: the Mid-West in Europe" (tomorrow), and "Language loss and recovery: case studies from Clare and West Munster" (Friday). Tel: (01) 4531818 or email cmerri@indigo.ie Auld Lammas Fair: One of the oldest fairs in Ireland, dating back to 1606, takes place over the next two days in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Music, craic and all the dulse and yellowman toffee you can eat. Tel: (0801-2657) 62225.
Part of Ireland Now: An exhibition highlighting the lives of refugees in Ireland continues its national tour in Limerick - with photos of refugees by award-winning photographer Derek Speirs, accompanied by text from Irish Times journalist Andy Pollak. At Limerick City Library on Michael Street until August 28th.
Pinter in Cork: Harold Pinter's The Caretaker opens tonight at the Triskel Arts Centre and runs until Sunday 30th August. Tel: (021) 272022.
Thursday
Sacred and Profane: The National Chamber Choir summer series continues in the National Gallery at 6.30 p.m. today with works from Poulenc, Berkley and Faure. For bookings, tel: (01) 704 5665.
Bluegrass Festival: Dunmore East in Co Waterford hosts the 4th International Bluegrass Festival featuring the Hillbilly Boogiemen from the Netherlands, the Two High String Band from Texas and the Texas Kellys from Dublin. In pubs and hotels around town until Sunday.
Friday
Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann: Live traditional music on the streets of Ballina, Co Mayo, kicks off this annual trad fest. Serious competition begins tomorrow morning, an open-air ceili takes place on Sunday afternoon in the Square and the weekend ends on Monday night with a farewell ceili. Tel: (01) 280 0295.
The Caucasian Chalk Circle: A new version by Frank McGuinness of this Brecht classic opens tonight at Belfast's Lyric Theatre. The Ulster Youth Theatre will be giving the first performances in Ireland, for three days only. Tel: (0801-232) 381081.
Brass in Temple Bar: The RTE Concert Orchestra Brass Ensemble plays music from the Renaissance to the present day, outdoors from 9 p.m. in Meeting House Square. From Monday, free tickets are available from Temple Bar Properties, Eustace Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 677 2255.
Staker Wallace Bi-Centenary: This weekend sees the commemoration of the execution of local man Staker Wallace, in Kilfinane, Co Limerick. The Minister of Defence, Michael Smith, unveils the Staker Wallace memorial on Friday. Other events include a crossroads dance at Ballinvreena, and a pageant on the streets of Kilfinane on Sunday evening. Tel: (063) 98703.
Saturday
European Bat night: Eurobats is organising talks and walks to celebrate the contribution of bats all over Europe. Groups will be out around the country spotting bats. Everyone welcome. Dublin bat fans meet at 8.45 p.m. at the Dropping Well pub, Milltown. For details on bat outings in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Sligo, the Burren, Killarney and Kylemore Abbey, tel: (093) 35304.
Enniscrone and District Show: Competitions for cattle, horses, ponies, cats, dogs, horticulture, art, photography - not to mention the All-Ireland Sheaf Tossing Championships. Today only in Castlefield, Eniscrone, Co Sligo.
Open-air movies in the square: The Temple Bar summer season continues with Cary Grant in Howard Hawks's romantic comedy Bringing Up Baby. At 10 p.m. in Meeting House Square. Admission free with tickets from Temple Bar Properties, Eustace Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 677 2255.
All-Ireland Master Angler Championship: View this exciting competition from Sligo or Rosses Point Harbour, over the next two days. The top five anglers will form the Irish national team to go to the World Sea-anglers Championship in 1999. Tel: (071) 68003.
Son et Lumiere Pageant: Collooney in Co Sligo continues its commemoration of 1798 with tonight's pageant set against the dramatic backdrop of Markree Castle. Live music, a craft village featuring crafts from the late 18th century, and a fireworks display are among the events. Tel: (071) 67924.
Sunday
Global Radio: Carnival atmosphere with limbo dancers, stiltwalkers and fire eaters in Dundalk as the Global Radio powers up with a free concert of world music. Bands performing include Latin Express, Yemanja, the Alan Kelly Band - with ethnic vinyl from DJ Claire Moloney. From 2 p.m. in Ice House Hill Park, Demesne Road, Dundalk. Tel: (042) 32276.
Warriors' Festival: The 14th annual warriors' run competition takes place at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Strandhill, Co Sligo, followed by the more sedate fun walk. There will also be live music at the beach and a junior warriors' run. Tel: (088) 266 0710.
Finn McCool's Giant Day: An action-packed, fun day for all the family at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island Nature Reserve in Craigavon, Co Antrim. A giant footsteps' trail, jazz and folk music, a teddy bears' picnic, wildlife roadshow and boat trips. Tel: (0801-762) 322205.
Jazz in Co Down: The Summer Garden Jazz series continues with the Ulster Jazz Band at Mount Stewart in Newtownards, Co Down from 3 5 p.m. Tel: (0801-2477) 88387.
Upcoming Festivals
Harvest Time Blues: Rhythm and blues takes over Monaghan from September 3rd 6th. Headlining acts include Van Morrison, Long John Hunter and the Walking Catfish, Reverend Johnny Thompson and Gospel Group and LA Jones and the Blues Messengers. Tel (047) 81122 or email harvestblues@tinet.ie
Storytelling Festival: The fifth Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival runs from September 4th 6th. Events on the West Cork island include workshops, story swapping and children's activities. Tel: (028) 39157 or email ckstory@indigo.ie
