Daytrippers

7 things to do this week

TODAY Try your luck at the annual Race Night to raise funds for Rolestown National School which is taking place at the Coolquay Lodge on the Ashbourne Road in Dublin today. Politicians including Brian Lenihan, Joan Burton and Joe O'Toole are expected to join the fun which includes a novelty race where audience members get to slip on some silks and ride their very own "wooden horse". Auction items include two U2 tickets and all funds raised will go towards roof repairs, new classrooms and playground equipment. Doors 8pm.

TOMORROW The second annual Enable Ireland Art exhibition continues today at their headquarters in Sandymount Avenue, Dublin, hosting up to 250 paintings from more than 40 artists. Bargains abound, with some of the art reaching RHA standard. Contact 01-2615921, 11am-6pm.

MONDAY If you want his body and you think he's sexy, rock on down to the Point Depot where Rod Stewart will be churning out the hits, wearing tartan, and generally making the hearts of ladies of a certain age go all a flutter. Tickets 65, 8pm.

TUESDAY It's hard to believe, but at one point there were over 10 Italian chip shops, restaurants and ice-cream emporia on O'Connell Street in Dublin. A new photographic exhibition delves even deeper into the contribution of those Italians who came here, mainly from the Frosinone region between Rome and Naples, from the mid-1800s to the present day. The exhibition, by Barbato Borza, takes place in the Coach House in Dublin Castle until May 6th.

WEDNESDAY Forget Dundrum, dedicated fashionistas are beating a path to the new Design Centre at the top of the Powerscourt Centre on South William Street in Dublin. Amid the boudoir furniture and crystal chandeliers you'll find design royalty such as Philip Treacy, Matthew Williamson, John Rocha, Mairiad Whisker and Synan O'Mahony as well as work from many fresh-faced designers. The new space opened yesterday. Get there before the weekend rush.

THURSDAY Belfast's Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival is in its sixth year and the eclectic and energetic programme gets underway this evening. Highlights include Bill Hicks, A Slight Return, a theatrical performance based on the views of the late, great comedian, and Finding Mick Jagger, in which Owen O'Neill plays a Rolling Stones-obsessed fan. The programme also features the first reading of Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone - in Irish! Tonight there is a reading and talk by the brilliant British author and comic Robert Newman in the John Hewitt pub in Belfast at 8pm. See www.cqaf.com.

FRIDAY Now in its fourth year, the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival has attracted some of the biggest music names in the business. This year, don't miss Van Morrison and the Blind Boys of Alabama at the Millennium Forum, along with a mind-boggling selection of the best musicians on the festival circuit. www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com.