BRIAN O'CONNELLlooks at some of the events taking place around the country
LEITRIM
Railway Museum
The Cavan-Leitrim railway was one of the busiest of Ireland’s narrow-gauge railways at one time. The restored line and engine, as well as an extensive collection of railway stock, gives visitors a chance to trace the history of this mode of transport. Open at Station Road, Dromod every Saturday and Monday from 10am to 5.30pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5.30pm. See cavanandleitrim.com or Tel: 071-9638599
MAYO
Bob Dylan
An exhibition entitled Happy Birthday Mr Bob takes place at Castlebar Library and looks back on the life and work of Bob Dylan. It features some mementos from his career including a ticket from his first show in Ireland in 1966. Admission is free during library hours. See mayolibrary.ie
DUBLIN
Book signing
Tomorrow at 3pm, Georgette Jones, the daughter of country music stars George Jones and Tammy Wynette, signs copies of her autobiography The Three of Us at the Hughes and Hughes branch at St Stephen’s Green Centre
DUBLIN
Airfield market
The Airfield vintage and craft market takes place this Saturday from 11am until 5pm, at the Airfield farm in Upper Kilmacud Road near Dundrum. Entry to the market is free, while admission to the farm is €6 for adults and €3 for children. A range of items from handmade jewellery to original artwork and vintage clothing will be on sale. See airfield.ie
CORK
West Cork Arts Sale
This Sunday at 5pm, a no-reserve sale takes place in Morgan O’Driscoll’s gallery in Skibbereen featuring works from west Cork artists. Those participating include John Minihan (below), John Kingerlee, Sheila Hooks and Julia Penny and the full catalogue is on view today and tomorrow from 10am to 5pm. See morganodriscoll.com
LAOIS
Steam Rally
The 47th National Stradbally Steam Rally takes place this Sunday and Monday in Co Laois, with up to 30 engines giving working demonstrations. This year also sees “The Steam Queen” event added to the bill with a €400 prize. Entry is €10 for adults and children under 12 are free. See irishsteam.ie
WATERFORD
Street Festival
Running until Sunday, the annual Spraoi festival in Waterford combines outdoor music and street entertainment from both local and international acts. The majority of the programme is free and takes place in various locations in the city centre. See spraoi.com for details
CORK
Indiependence music festival
Nominated for the European Festival Awards last year, the Indiependence Music and Arts Festival in Mitchelstown features Therapy, Editors, Ash, The Coronas and many others. Three-day camping tickets cost €99 while day tickets have been released for €40 per day. For details, see indiependencefestival.com
CORK
Seán Ó Riada Festival
The Féile na Laoch or Festival of Heroes festival takes place all this weekend in Cúil Aodha, in the same fields where The Wind That Shakes the Barley was filmed. It commemorates the life of Seán Ó Riada and features some of Ireland’s leading performers across arts and sport, including Christy Moore, Glen Hansard, Martin Hayes and Seán Óg Ó hAilpín. See feilenalaoch.com
CARLOW
Music Festival
The Borris Pride of Place competition is a three-day street music festival, which runs until Sunday evening from 6.30pm to 10.30pm in the main square. A soccer tournament is also run over the weekend as well as set dancing and nightly entertainment
KERRY
Food night
A food night hosted by chef Ivor O’Connor takes place tomorrow at 7.30pm at the Cill Rialaig arts centre in Ballinskelligs. The event also incorporates readings by author Clare Ryan from her new collection Arcadia Dances and Other Stories. It costs €35 per person and booking is required. Tel: 066-9479852
BELFAST
Parade
Tomorrow is the 21st annual Belfast Pride Parade as part of the Belfast Pride Festival, and it begins at noon with a party at Custom House Square. The parade leaves there at 2pm, moving along Royal Avenue past City Hall and ending up back at the square. See belfastpride.com
