Daytrippers

Seven things to do this week

TODAY: University College Dublin's BA Student for a Day is a must whether you hanker after your student days or have never set foot in a university. As part of UCD's 150th-anniversary celebrations, the public is invited to dip in and out of a day of free lectures, including On Being a Man, The Lord of the Rings and the Middle Ages and Perfect Gents or Hairy Savages?: Irishmen in Italian Literature. Lectures and other activities take place in the arts building from 10am to 4pm.

TOMORROW: St Stephen's Green is one of Ireland's best children's play areas, but not enough events are held in the park to make the most of this wonderful space. Bunny's Day Out for Kids is a children's charity event that will transform the green into an Easter wonderland. Noon-4pm.

MONDAY: The artist Rick Bentham, who worked on Hollywood animation features such as An American Tale and Anastasia, has settled in Co Wicklow with his family. They feature a lot in his latest works, which comprise 50 vivid oil paintings on show at Kilcock Art Gallery, in Kilcock, Co Kildare, until March 26th. 10am-5pm. Alternatively, the National Botanic Gardens, in Glasnevin, is hosting an exhibition of bird portraits (above) by the artist Michael O'Clery and a retrospective of the bird carvings of John Wortley.

TUESDAY: Other Voices has been one of those quiet but steady television successes, and it has brought fans plenty of new music from the gorgeous setting of a 200-year-old church in Dingle, Co Kerry. Tonight, Vicar Street in Dublin hosts a concert launching the third series of the programme, which begins on RTÉ 2 on March 27th. John Kelly introduces Joe Chester, Cathy Davey, The Republic of Loose and surprise guests. Tickets (€20) from Ticketmaster. Proceeds to Action Aid.

WEDNESDAY: Those who know about these things say La Bohème contains some of the most romantic music ever written, and it's playing tonight at the Helix, at Dublin City University. This production, by Opera Theatre Company, stars Tamsin Coombs (Mimi) and Eimear McNally (Musetta). Tickets €30. Doors 8pm. www.helix.ie.

THURSDAY: If you're sure St Patrick's Day floats won't float your boat, then do a bit of aspirational viewing at the Myhome.ie Spring House and Garden Show. There are all sorts of stands in the RDS, covering interiors, DIY, gardens and challenging "build your own" projects. From 10am to 8pm. Tickets €12 for adults, €6 for children and students. Continues until Sunday.

FRIDAY: Always dreamed of seeing the desert? Women's Aid is recruiting volunteers to take on its Sinai Desert Challenge, which will take place over a week this November. Participants will need to raise €2,750 to take part. The organisation supports women who are abused in their own homes. For more information, contact Ger Ennis on 01-8684721 or ger.ennis@womensaid.ie.