Compiled by Róisín Ingle
SATURDAY
It's 150 years since William Dargan brought the first train to what was then the tiny fishing village of Bray, Co Wicklow, and to celebrate this landmark in the history of the town the largest ferris wheel in Europe will be on Bray Head from today until August 12th. The return of the southside Darts at weekends - finally! - is another good reason for a summer celebration.
SUNDAY
There's Latin spirit in everyone apparently so discover yours at the Latin Quarter Festival which continues in venues all over Temple Bar today. The 28 acres of Temple Bar will be pulsating with an eclectic line-up, which includes carnival style street acts and a Latin House DJ trail. Tonight catch Rodrigo y Gabriela and the Havana Dance All Stars at Meeting House Square. 8 p.m. 15, www.latinquarterfestival.com.
MONDAY
Culture vultures in the West are being totally spoiled because this year the Sligo Festival of the Arts runs alongside the 45th Yeats Summer School until August 13th. Today there is a chance to see Brendan Kennelly reading from his work while later in the week Seamus Heaney will do a turn. Hawks Well Theatre, Sligo. Call 071-9161526 for more details.
TUESDAY
Comedians, singer songwriters, poets, actors and a host of other talents return to battleoftheaxe.com every Tuesday night to fight it out for the coveted Lucky Duck Award. More than 1,000 performers have graced the stage since the event started eight years ago, furthering the careers of the likes of Paddy Casey and comedian Dave McSavage. If you want to perform call 086-8156987. If you just want to watch, head up to the Ha'penny Bridge Inn in Dublin at 9.30 p.m. Admission 6.
WEDNESDAY
That venerable Dublin institution The Horse Show, which runs in the RDS in Dublin until Sunday, isn't just about horses, you know. Along with all the show-jumping and dressage there is a craft exhibition, shopping, not forgetting Ladies' Day which tomorrow will see designer-clad women toss their hats in the ring for a chance to win a 10,000 Appleby diamond. (The Best Dressed Man wins a suit from Louis Copeland.)
THURSDAY
"Reel Parents" is an attempt to solve the can't-find-a-babysitter quandary. You can bring baby - the scheme will be expanded to include crawlers and toddlers at a later date - along to a movie at participating cinemas where there will be changing facilities and nobody is going to be giving you dirty looks if they start to cry. Catch The Stepford Wives this morning at 10 a.m. at the Slaney Plaza, Enniscorthy (054-37066), Ormonde Stillorgan (01-7074100) and Mayo Movie World, Castlebar (094-9027777/8). Admission is 7 and includes tea or coffee. Adults must be accompanied by an infant.
FRIDAY
The Kilkenny Arts Festival gets off to a quirky start today with an interactive and gothic theatrical tour of medieval Kilkenny. The audience at Dr Ledbetter's Experiment by Tom Swift meet outside Rothe House, Parliament Street, and are advised to wear comfortable shoes. 1 p.m., 2.30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. 11.