Daytrippers

Seven things to do this week

TODAY: The aperitif started out as a medieval medicine to stimulate the appetite, but these days a cocktail, a bowl of olives or a glass of wine does the job. Across 31 cities in 22 countries the tradition of taking a drink and nibbles before dinner is being celebrated in the second annual Apéritif à la Française event. Today, various branches of Tesco will have loads of special offers on French products, and until the end of the month restaurants across the country will provide a glass of Pommery champers at a reduced price and entry into a draw to win holidays in France. E-mail aperitif@sopexaireland.com for a list of participants.

TOMORROW: Learn the name of all those flowers you see while out and about during the summer with a wildflower walk in the woodlands by the Upper Lake, Glendalough, Co Wicklow. A national park guide will tell you all you need to know about the flora during this free event. Booking is essential. Contact 0404-45425 for more details. The walk starts at 2pm.

MONDAY Galloglass Theatre Company's production of The Sanctuary Lamp by Tom Murphy has all the resonant language and amusing imagery you'd expect from the playwright writing about a disparate group of misfits who, taking refuge in a small church, rage against God. It's starting at the Belltable theatre in Limerick tonight; later this month it will tour the country, including dates at the Pavilion in Dún Laoghaire and the Civic in Tallaght. It starts at 8pm.

TUESDAY Belfast boy Duke Special is a genuine one-off - you don't get many artists using an egg whisk to create their sound - and his songs are heartbreakingly beautiful. He launches his album Adventures in Gramophone at CrawDaddy in Dublin tonight. Doors 8pm. Tickets €10.

WEDNESDAY The King Kong Club, at Pravda in Dublin, brings new life to your average mid-week social outing. This open-mic night, hosted by the inimitable Keiron Black, is a madcap mixture of raw talent judged by the highly scientific King Kong clapometer. Each week there is a special guest from the music scene. Doors 9pm.

THURSDAY Pipeworks Festival offers a daring and delightful week-long introduction to organ and choral music. Tonight's opening concert takes place at the National Gallery of Ireland with a performance of Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle; a small virtuoso choir will be accompanied by two grand pianos dating from the 1840s. See www.pipeworksfestival.com.

FRIDAY The Dublin Writers' Festival is in full swing in the capital this weekend, with readings and workshops to choose from. www.dublinwritersfestival.com. Bookings are being taken on 01-8721122.