BRIAN O'CONNELLlooks at some of the events taking place around the country
Sligo
Theatre
Blue Raincoat Theatre company presents its latest work, Chairsby Eugene Ionesco, at its 100-seater premises on Lower Quay Street for the next week. Special discounts mid-week. There is also a post-show discussion on Thursday. See blueraincoat.com or tel: 071-917 0431
Galway
Pony Show
The Claddaghduff Pony Show on Sunday has grown in recent years, with more than 240 entries last year. The competition also includes non-pedigree sheep, cattle and dogs, and there’s family entertainment from bouncy castles to sean nós dancing. Tel: 087-676 8584
Belfast
Garden carnival
The Botanic Gardens Ulster Museum present a carnival picnic in the gardens on Sunday, with activities for all the family, including puppet-making workshops, and a variety of performers. See beatcarnival.com
Kerry
Summerfest
The annual Killarney Summerfest begins tomorrow and runs until next week. On the sporting front, there is the added excitement of having Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy compete, while the music line-up includes Simple Minds and Big Country. Free family events and street performances. See killarneysummerfest.com
Kilkenny
Festival
The Abhainn Rí festival begins today in Callan and runs for over a week. The emphasis is on both community and visual arts, and highlights include a family field day in the Abbey Meadow on Sunday. Walks, lectures and sporting events also feature. See abhainnrifestival.com
Clare
Craft
An exhibition of contemporary crafts runs at Glór Irish Music Centre in Ennis throughout the summer. A dozen craftspeople have been selected to exhibit a cross-section of craftwork. Talks and demonstrations are also programmed. See glor.ie or tel: 065-684 5360
Cork
Charity swim
Starting tomorrow and running into the early hours of Sunday morning, the Swim to Swansea charity event is a fundraiser for the RNLI in Ballycotton. A group of 25 locals are attempting to swim and row the 314km from Cork to Swansea. The event begins alongside the departure of the 8.30pm Cork-Swansea ferry sailing tomorrow.
Walking tour
Organised walking tours of Spike Island, which is newly opened to the public, take in the military history of the island and its links with the area. The service runs seven days a week departing Kennedy Pier in Cobh at 2pm, and costs €12.50 per person. Concessions available. See spikeislandcork.com
Meath
Cycling
The An Post Meath Heritage Cycling tour takes place this Sunday with cyclists taking on four routes of varying difficulty. All routes start and finish in Trim and while entries are now closed, a range of events from food markets to street entertainment are open to the public. See meathsports.ie
Wicklow
Air Show
The country’s largest air show takes place on Sunday in Bray, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Up to 60,000 spectators are expected along the sea front for the show, which also features rescue demonstrations and beach parachuting. Visitors are advised to arrive early as parking is limited. See airspectacular.com
Dublin
Comedy
The Vodafone Comedy Festival runs until Sunday in the Iveagh Gardens with Irish and international comedians. There are also street performances, gourmet barbecues and live music. Tickets for the main events are €20-€28 and are on sale through ticketmaster.ie or vodafonecomedy.com
Exhibition
A new photo exhibition displaying the work of the Samaritans aims to document the untold stories of their weekly volunteer work. Entitled 24/7, the images were taken by photographer Derek Spiers. At European House on Dawson Street, admission free.
For inclusion, email brianoconnell@irishtimes.com or through Twitter @oconnellbrian or use #ITguide
