From tapas and cigars to music, dance and fire, the following selection of events could prove interesting for anyone hoping to do something different this weekend.
New Ross Piano Festival – Co. Wexford, All weekend
The New Ross Piano Festival offers a reprieve from the mud and wellingtons of the week's ploughing extravaganza. Now in its seventh year it provides "concentrated immersion into the enormous variety of repertoire for what is often called the king of the instruments." And you won't have to get pulled out of the car park by a tractor. newrosspianofestival.com
Clifden Arts Festival – Co. Galway, Saturday
The 35th Clifden Arts Festivals comes to a colourful close this weekend. The Grand Parade – "A journey into the world of the imagination: music, dance, fire, magnificent costumes, lanterns" – forms the centrepiece event. It begins at the Clifden showground at 7:30 pm on Saturday before weaving its way through the town. clifdenartsweek.ie
Rock N the Dock – Belfast, Saturday
For Belfast the Titanic is the catastrophe that keeps on giving. This Saturday, to mark the official opening of the new access to the bottom of the behemoth's dock, there will be a flood-lit tour of said dock and pump-house followed by entertainment from "some of Northern Ireland's top musicians." Gates open at 7.30pm, tickets £14, titanicsdock.com
Dairy Month – Dublin, all weekend
Positive Ageing Week kicks off this weekend and Agri Aware are out to promote the nutritional benefits of dairy products for young and old alike. Visitors to Dublin Zoo's Family Farm can sample Irish cheese, yogurt and milk. There will be a butter-making demonstration and visitors can also watch Bella the cow getting her daily milking. thefamilyfarm.ie
Inisowen International Guitar Festival – Culdaff, Co Donegal, all weekend
Some of "the foremost pickers in the world" will descend on Ireland's most northerly peninsula this weekend for the Inishowen International Guitar Festival. McGrory's of Culdaff hosts the event - now in its third year – and promises a "broad spectrum of musical styles on acoustic and electric guitars," as well as workshops and a vintage guitar and amp display. iguitar.ie
Che do Bheatha, Latin-American Cultural Festival – Kilkee Co. Clare, all weekend
Given that the iconic image of Che Guevara came about as the result of a chance meeting between the Argentinean-born revolutionary and artist Jim Fitzpatrick in a Kilkee hotel, it's fitting that the west Clare town should host a celebration of Latin American culture in his honour. Expect gigs, workshops, talks, and art all weekend. kilkeefestival.com
Art Against Stigma
Art Against Stigma' is a new arts initiative, set up by Lundbeck, to de-stigmatise mental illness through public exhibitions displaying the work of art centres linked to mental health units. It is hoped to challenge visitors and viewers of these art projects to re-evaluate their perception of those with mental illness. The exhibition was opened by the Minister or Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan and runs until Sunday from 10am to 4pm. lundbeck.com/ie/about-us/lundbeck-ireland/art-initiative
Dublin Days of Doom, The Pint, Eden Quay, Dublin
Metalheads of all hues will be descending on Dublin's latest rock venue, The Pint, for a weekend of doom metal band. Fifteen bands will be taking part in what is the fourth annual day of doom in Dublin. Dutch doom metal merchants Urfaust, who played an acoustic set in Bruxelles as part of Arthur's Day, are one of the bands taking part.
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