Daytrippers

Seven things to do this week.

TODAY The annual North West Lesbian Weekend in Sligo is apparently such fun that non-lesbians try to get in on the act. The programme of activities includes creative writing, hill-walking, surfing, salsa dancing, beach walks and talks on dealing with homophobia. Organised by the Women Out and About group, the festival runs today and tomorrow at venues around the town. Contact 086-3395056 for more details.

TOMORROW The Knorr Simon Fun Run has been taking place for 20 years to raise vital funds to support the 4,000 homeless people in Dublin. The five-mile run - you can walk if you prefer - takes place today at 2.30 p.m. at the Papal Cross, Phoenix Park, in Dublin. The entrance fee is €20; participants must register by 2 p.m.

MONDAY Two intrepid fund-raisers are hiking around Ireland with a surfboard. Siobhan Bennett and Neil Halligan are currently hitching their way from Tralee to Ireland's surf capital, Bundoran, to make money for Barretstown children's charity. Tonight you will find them at a Beach Party in the Haven Bar, Tralee at 9 p.m. and at a lecture in Tralee IT college at 4 p.m.

TUESDAY Natural History experts are coming out from behind the scenes at the Natural History Museum, Merrion Street, Dublin, this evening to examine and identify any relevant objects you might have at home. Everything from spiders, snails, shellfish and fossils will be up for discussion from 7-9 p.m. Book your free place by calling Maureen Gaule at 01-6486447.

WEDNESDAY Fizz Fest is an arts festival aimed at young people in the Helix, DCU until October 23rd. Expect plenty of theatre, music, poetry and puppetry in the venue over the coming weeks. This morning (10.30 a.m.) and tonight (7 p.m.) the Birmingham Stage Company presents Roald Dahl's George's Marvellous Medicine. Tickets €15/€19 from 01-7007000.

THURSDAY Time for the annual Convergence Festival at the Cultivate: Centre for Sustainable Living in Temple Bar, Dublin. The theme is "Building the Eco Economy", and a series of great lectures, films and seminars is scheduled between today and Sunday. The Slow Food Banquet next Sunday will be preceded by a Slow Fashion Cabaret on Saturday 17th, after a session devoted to design and innovation. For the complete programme, see www.sustainable.ie or ring 01-6745773.

FRIDAY The Wexford Festival of Opera continues today with a performance of Pagliacci by Ruggiero Leoncavallo in the Don Mhuire Hall at 3.30 p.m. Tickets €15. Over at the Theatre Royal there is a rare - hence hefty price - performance of Josef Bohuslav's , sung in Czech with English subtitles. Doors 8 p.m. Tickets €95. www.wexfordopera.com.