FESTIVAL WATCH CROTTY TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL:The Éigse Mrs Crotty Traditional Music Festival, which runs from this Wednesday until Sunday, August 17th, in Kilrush, Co Clare, started out 13 years ago as a musical workshop.
Now, the five-day festival encompasses pub sessions, open-air céilithe, dozens of trad acts and, of course, extensive musical workshops.
It celebrates Elizabeth Crotty, a local concertina player who Michael Tubridy, of the Chieftains, has said "had a great rhythm and life in her music". Though there are not many recordings of her playing, she is widely regarded as one of Ireland's foremost traditional musicians. She died in 1960.
This year's headline band are At The Racket, along with Dympna O'Sullivan and Friends, and many more musicians.
It's all free (except for the lessons). So whether you want to pick up the fiddle, dance at a céilí or just have a really good time, the Éigse Mrs Crotty Traditional Music Festival offers plenty of variety. Check out www.eigsemrscrotty.com
TODAY AND TOMORROW THE BEST OF THE SUMMER
TODAY: Man on Wireis still showing in selected cinemas (IFI, Lighthouse, Dublin). The Kilkenny Arts Festival continues with Mimic at the Watergate Theatre, tickets €18-€20, call 056-7752175. The Weir shows at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, tickets €32, call 01-8744045.
The Maynooth Guitar Orchestra plays at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, tickets €15, 094-23733; Olympic Coverage continues on RTÉ, with live coverage of Eoin Rheinisch in the canoe slalom heats.
TOMORROW:Strictly The Rat Pack, a tribute to Frank and the boys, at the Tivoli Theatre, Dublin tickets €35, call 01-4544472. The Kilkenny Arts Festival continues with Mercury Rev, with supporting acts Oppenheimer and Alphastates, playing in The Hub, tickets €32.50, call 056-7752175. Le Grande Cirque perform in the INEC, Killarney, tickets €36.20, call 064-71555. The Dublin Walking Ghost Show, free, in Dublin Castle, call 01-6777129. Yoga in People's Park, Dún Laoghaire, 1pm, €5, no registration required.