Brian Boyd, Rosita Boland and Arminta Wallace pick the cultural highlights from this summer's rock, festival and classical line-up.
Rock & pop
JUNE
Budrising
June 1-7
Various venues around Dublin
www.budrising.ie
Split between up-and-coming bands in small venues and established names in bigger venues. Confirmed acts include Beck, The La's, Weezer, Dizzee Rascal, Echo & The Bunnymen and The Hives. Prices vary.
Destiny's Child
June 9
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Despite Beyonce's huge solo success, the trio is still a big draw. Expect plenty from their recent million-selling Destiny Fulfilled album. €49.50
Neil Diamond
June 11
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Quite simply one of the best live performers around. Expect one big singalong. Sold out.
Meat Loaf
June 17
Ravenhill Rugby Ground, Belfast
June 18
Ardgillan Castle, Co Dublin
All these years on from the release of Bat Out Of Hell, Mr Loaf can still put on a thumping live show. Support comes from Status Quo. £35 (€51.50)/€59.50
REM
June 19
Ardgillan Castle, Co Dublin
Despite a few not hugely successful albums, REM have enough in their repertoire to stage a great live show. Support from Moby and The Zutons. €59.50
Coldplay
June 22
Marlay Park, Dublin
With their new album X&Y promising to be their biggest and best to date, Coldplay are very much the band of the moment. They probably could have sold out Slane, but opt instead for this Dublin show. €59.50
U2
June 24/25/27
Croke Park, Dublin
The band haven't played Croker since 1987's Joshua Tree tour and with their Vertigo tour a huge success, these shows are highly anticipated. All sold out.
Rod Stewart
June 25
Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
Still a massive draw, Rodney has a huge back catalogue to draw from. He might even sing Handbags and Gladrags if he's in the right mood. €65-€75
Live At The Marquee
June 30-July 17
The Showgrounds, Monaghan Road, Cork
A huge array of stellar talent playing over different nights here. Acts include the legendary Brian Wilson, The Gypsy Kings, Al Green, Van Morrison and Nick Cave. Various ticket prices.
JULY
Killarney Summerfest
July 1 and 2
Fitzgerald Stadium, Inec venue, Killarney www.killarneysummerfest.com
On the first date, Snow Patrol headline with support from The Revs. On the 2nd, it's over to Meat Loaf and Status Quo. American Pat Boone will also appear. There's comedy with Ed Byrne, David McSavage, Colum McDonnell and Reuben. There's a busking competition, a French food market, a craft village, and a street parade. €49.50.
Elton John
July 2
RDS Arena, Dublin
You know what to expect: all the hits and a few bizarre costume changes. Tickets range from €54.50 to €130.
Oxegen
July 9/10
Punchestown Racecourse, Co Kildare
www.oxegen.ie
The big rock/indie festival returns with an impressive line-up. Thrill to Green Day, Kaiser Chiefs, Foo Fighters, Keane, The Killers, The Streets, The Beautiful South and many, many more over a few different sites. €64.50 for a one-day ticket; €120 for a two-day ticket; €145 for a two-day ticket with camping.
Oasis
July 16
Marlay Park, Dublin
With a new album out, there's always a bit of excitement about an Oasis gig. Anything could happen. Sold out.
Andrea Bocelli
July 15
Collins Barracks, Cork
July 17
Malahide Castle, Co Dublin
Italian "popera" tenor Bocelli plays two dates; Cork sold out. €55-€155
Anastacia
July 17
Marlay Park, Dublin
A formidable live draw; the sassy New York urban singer always puts on a good show. €59.50
Dancing with Lunasa Festival
July 31
Kinnitty Castle, Co Offaly
www.dancingwithlunasa.com
New festival of folk, traditional and contemporary Irish music. Line-up includes Damien Dempsey, John Martyn, Sharon Shannon, Eleanor Shanley, Mundy and the Saw Doctors with the Chieftains, plus the 2004 winners of Comhraigh Ceol, The Border Collies. €49.50 & €59.50 for camping.
AUGUST
The Chemical Brothers
August 19
Marlay Park, Dublin
On their current release, Push the Button, the electro outfit proved that dance still has a kick. €49.50
Basement Jaxx
August 20
Marlay Park, Dublin
One of the best live dance acts around. Best not to miss this one. €49.50
The Pixies
August 23
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
The legendary US guitar band, now reformed, are a formidable live presence. Support from Kings Of Leon. €59.50
Scissor Sisters/Franz Ferdinand
August 24
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Two of the most talked-about acts of the last year. Disco romp from the former and art-rock from the latter. Great line-up. €59.50
Metallica
August 31
RDS Arena, Dublin
A big metal day out here - also on the bill are the reformed Iron Maiden and Marilyn Manson. Best dress in black. €65
SEPTEMBER
Electric Picnic
September 3/4
Stradbally Estate, Co Laois
www.electricpicnic.ie
A big success last year, this year's Picnic is a two-day affair. Acts confirmed are the awesome Kraftwerk, Nick Cave, Fatboy Slim, The Flaming Lips, Human League, Public Enemy and Mercury Rev. Also expect a Comedy Tent and maybe even a bouncy castle. Possibly the gig of the year. €61.
Slane 2005
It's yet to be confirmed but there's a lot of talk about Eminem performing at Slane Castle on September 17. Best keep the date free just in case.
How to book: All rock and pop gigs can be booked through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ie. Phone 0818-719300 for Republic of Ireland and 0870-2434455 for Northern Ireland
Festivals & summer schools
JUNE
Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival
May 26-30
Warrenpoint, Co Down
www.bluesonthebay.com
Featuring more than 30 international artists, including Manfred Man's Paul Jones and the Blues Band, Charles Walker & Mo Indigo, Australia's Phil Manning and the Shawn Jones Blues Band from California.
Diversions
June - August
Temple Bar, Dublin, 01-6772255 www.templebar.ie
Dublin's city-centre big open-air festival is now in its seventh year. Every Saturday from June 1 to the end of August, Meeting House Square hosts a free movie, including Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Goodfellas; Kill Bill parts 1 and 2; and the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers classic Top Hat. A short film by an Irish director will also be screened, and the best will pick up the Stella Artois Short Film Award. The Temple Bar Open Day will link in with 40 arts organisations in the area, and there is also family street entertainment.
Footsbarn Shakespeare Festival
Various dates in June and July
George's Dock, Dublin, 0818-719300
footsbarn.com
Footsbarn are an inventive French travelling theatre company who perform in a marquee. The marquee will be on George's Dock for June and July, adding atmosphere to docklands. Footsbarn will be performing Perchance to Dream through June; it's a collaborative look at five Shakespeare plays, which takes as its structure the seven stages of man. They'll perform The Tempest through July.
Listowel Writers' Week
June 1-5
Listowel, Co Kerry, 068-21074 www.writersweek.ie
Among the readers this year are: Colm Tóibín, fresh from accepting his Los Angeles Times Books Prize for his novel, The Master; Ronan Bennett; Roddy Doyle; and DBC Pierre. Also reading are BBC journalist Fergal Keane, poets Michael Longley and Carol Ann Duffy, comic writers Pauline McLynn and Paul Howard aka Ross O'Carroll Kelly, and mountaineer and writer Joe Simpson. The Seamus Wilmot Memorial Lecture is by journalist Robert Fisk.
Smithwicks Cat Laughs Festival
June 2-6
Kilkenny city, 056-7763837 www.smithwickscatlaughs.com
The Cat has finally got the cream, having found its new sponsor after an uncertain interim period. Among those aiming to have you rolling with merriment in Kilkenny are: Irish comics Dylan Moran, Dara O'Briain and Tommy Tiernan; British-Iranian Omid Djalili; US satirist Andy Kindler and his fellow American Dom Irrera; as well as Alan Carr, Nina Conti and Bill Bailey.
Goldsmith Summer School
June 3-5
Ballymahon, Co Longford, 043-71448
The theme this year is Goldsmith the Dramatist. The school will be opened by Senator Martin Mansergh, and Andrew Carpenter of UCD's Department of Modern English and American Literature will give the keynote address. Nigel Wood will speak on Sentiment and Unsentiment in Goldsmith and there will be a reading by poet Paul Durcan.
Éigse Carlow Arts Festival
June 11-19
Carlow, 059-9140491
eigsecarlo@eircom.net
Among the visual artists invited to show at Éigse this year are: Daphne Wright, Vanda Harvey, Alex Calinescu, Michael Canning, Charles Sandison, John Noel Smith and Dominique Piveteaud. There is a major exhibition of sculptor John Henry's work - an Irish artist now living in London. Glass artist Eva Kelly's work will be featured. There's comedy from Jason Byrne, and, in the literary programme, writers include journalist Nell McCafferty and best-selling novelist Cathy Kelly. The Camembert Quartet will perform their cabaret-style comedy show.
Cork Midsummer Festival
June 14-25
Cork city, 1890-200555 www.corkfestival.com
The Midsummer Festival, together with Asylum Productions, have commissioned Pondlife Angels, a new play by Enda Walsh. Corcadorca presents The Merchant of Venice. Crux Dance Theatre performs The Beach Project on Graball Bay, Crosshaven. There's music from the Tallis Scholars and Galway Baroque Singers, and an exhibition of theatre photography by Janice O'Connell in the Everyman. Cork will also have one of those magical 1920s cabaret mirrored tents, the Spiegeltent, as its festival club on site for the duration. (See panel left)
Dublin Writers' Festival
June 16-19
Dublin, 01-6713639 www.dublinwritersfestival.com
Poets feature strongly, with readings by Kathleen Jamie, Carol Rumens, Carolyn Forché, Robin Robertson, Leslie Greentree, David Kirlby and Gerald Stern. Portuguese novelists Almeida Faria and Hélia Correia are paired together, as are Irish novelists Dermot Bolger and Sebastian Barry. There's a session on biography with Sarah Churchwell, whose first book is The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe, and Adam Feinstein, who has written a biography of Pablo Neruda. Claire Kilroy, Chris Binchy and Nick Laird read together, as do Ronan Bennett and Rachel Seiffert. There will be a themed reading on the topic of The Home Place, with Brian Leyden, and fellow Irish writers, Jack Harte, Gabriel Fitzmaurice, Noel Monahan and Mary O'Donnell.
Immrama Festival of Travel Writing
June 17-19
Lismore, Co Waterford 058-53803
The theme is Journeys to the Top of the World. Michael Palin speaks on his journey to the Himalayas. Other guests include Brian Keenan and Dick Warner. Louis de Paor hosts bilingual poetry workshops and there's an antiquarian book fair on the Saturday.
Robot Festival
June 22 to end of summer
Temple Bar, Dublin, 01-6707788 www.robots.ie
It's a fair bet that this festival will be attracting as many curious adults as it will children. Part of it is a major international exhibition in the Ark, exploring the art and design of robots. There will also be a Robot Talent Show, where robots and their human makers compete against each other in tests of skill; robots will also play soccer and sumo-wrestle each other. You even get the chance to build your own robot in a series of workshops.
McGlinchey Summer School
June 23-26
Inishowen, Co Donegal, 074-9376110 www.clonmany.com
The theme this year is The Waters About Us. The opening talk - about Charles McGlinchey - will be given by playwright Frank McGuinness. Other speakers include coastguard Norman Fuller on Malin Head and the Wireless Station; Minister for the Marine Pat "the Cope" Gallagher on The Future of Donegal Fishing; and Don McGlinchey of the Irish Underwater Council on wrecks "and other intriguing objects" underwater at Inishowen. Field trips include one to Malin Head Met Station, and music over the weekend includes sea-shanties.
Byrne Perry Summer School
June 24-26
Gorey, Co Wexford, 055-21248
www.byrneperry.ie
The theme of this year's school is
1916 - Origins and Legacies. The opening address is given by Trevor Sargent, Green Party leader. Panellists Brendan Howlin TD, lawyer Cormac O'Malley and Irish Times journalist Deaglán de Bréadún will discuss Was 1916 a Crime?, chaired by journalist Vincent Browne. The Gordon Wilson Memorial Lecture will be given by Paul Bew of QUB. Did 1916 Advance the Position of Women in Ireland? will be discussed by historians Margaret McCurtain and Sinéad McCoole. Was 1916 Necessary? will be debated by editor Tommy Graham, Pat Cooke, curator of Kilmainham Gaol, Michael Laffan of UCD, and Brian Hanley of NUI Maynooth.
West Cork Literary Festival
June 25 - July 1
Bantry, Co Cork, 027-52788 www.fishpublishing.com
A week of workshops and readings in Bantry in a special joint West Cork Literary and Chamber Music Festival. A highlight is Seamus Heaney reading part of his long poem, Station Island, to chamber music set by English composer, Anthony Powers. Booker nominee David Mitchell will read, as will writer Frank Delaney and historical novelist, Morgan Llywelyn. Nell McCafferty's reading will be followed by a Q&A session. Journalist Mary Kenny gives a presentation based on her play, Allegiance, Michael Collins and Winston Churchill, 1921-22. Among the many workshops is one by Matt Bannerman, billed as a Travel Writing Workshop to Skelligs, with the caveat "the writing and instruction will take place as and where possible along the journey".
Synge Summer School
June 26 - July 2
Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, 0404-46597 www.wicklow.ie/syngesummerschool
The Synge Summer school is being relaunched this year. The new director is Anthony Roche of UCD, and the theme is 101 Years of Irish Theatre. Among the papers are: Hollywood Irish, Abbey Actors in the Movies, by Adrian Frazier of NUI Galway; Different Deirdres, by Declan Kiberd of UCD; and Transformative Moments of Being and Becoming in the Theatre of Marina Carr and Samuel Beckett, by Melissa Sihra of QUB. Poet Brendan Kennelly will read, as will playwright Marina Carr.
JULY
Willie Clancy Summer School
July 2 -10
Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, 065-7084148
angleann@oceanfree.net
This is where everyone who makes music heads in July, along with everyone who loves listening to it. There are workshops and classes in all traditional instruments, by some of the best practitioners in their field. In the evenings, recitals and concerts, with musicians such as Tommy Peoples, Noel Hill, Tara Diamond, and the Tulla Céilí Band. But the impromptu sessions - in the bars and on the streets - are the best.
Bard Summer School
July 3-8
Clare Island, Co Mayo, 01-4904879 www.bard.ie
The school explores The Táin and The Myths We Live By, with emphasis on the themes of Love and Power, and Pillow Talk and Politics. Speakers include Dáithaí Ó hOgáin of UCD's Department of Irish Folklore; John Moriarty, philosopher; and poet Rita Ann Higgins.
Joyce Summer School
July 4-15
Dublin, 01-7168159 www.artsworld.ie/joyce_school
Anne Fogarty of UCD is director of this year's school, and gives the opening paper, The Beginning of the End, Politics and Memory in the "Penelope" Episode. Among others are: When did A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Become Ironic? by Kevin Dettmar of Southern Illinois University; Of Frauds and Failures, Stephen Dedalus, John Henry Newman and the Ends of Romantic Dissent, by Tracey Teets Schwarze of Christopher Newport University, Virginia; and Publishing Ulysses, 1922-2004, A Family Tree, by Stacey Herbert of the National Library.
Galway Film Fleadh
July 5-10
Galway, 091-751655 www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
The fleadh's focus this year is on Russian and French cinema. Among the films shown will be Dmitry Troitsky's You I Love, Benoit Jacquot's A Tout de Suite, Francois Dupeyron's Monsieur Ibrahimn et les Fleurs du Coran, and the Irish premiere of Innocence, Lucile Hadzihalilovic's debut feature. There will also be a programme of Irish shorts. Russian Alexander Sokurov will give a director's masterclass, actor/producer/director Campbell Scott will give an acting masterclass, and there will be a screenwriting workshop.
Galway Arts Festival
July 11-24
Galway, 091-509700 www.galwayartsfestival.ie
This will be the last arts festival under the directorship of Rose Parkinson: Paul Fahy takes over next year. Galway remains Ireland's biggest and best arts festival. Highlights include a new play from Stuart Carolan commissioned by the festival; an Irish premiere of Enda Walsh's new play The Small Things; a new play by actor Garrett Keogh; and a production from England's Phoenix Dance Theatre. The entire cycle of Synge plays will be in rep from Druid at the Town Hall Theatre.
MacGill Summer School
July 17-22
Glenties, Co Donegal, 074-9551103 www.macgillsummerschool.com
The MacGill celebrates its quarter-century this year, with the theme A Plan for Ireland 2005-2030. The school will address such topics as: Will Ireland Still be Christian; What Kind of Health Service will we Have; Saving our Environment; Will Ireland be Reunited; and What Kind of Europe? Speakers include John Gormley, Green Party chairman; RTÉ's economic correspondent, George Lee; Michael McDowell, Minister for Justice and theologian Gina Menzies.
Hopkins Summer School
July 23-29
Monasterevin, Co Kildare, 045-433613 www.gerardmanleyhopkins.org
The influence of Hopkins is this year's theme, with participants from 25 countries. Speakers include John Hughes, Joseph Pribek, Karen Ray, Alexandra Kedzierska and Peter Milward. Poets include Biba Ishmael, Juan Cameron and Stanley Barkan.
John Hewitt Summer School
July 25-30
Armagh, 048-37521821 www.johnhewitt.org
Tarnished Map; The Geography of Memory after Conflict is the theme. Speakers include South African novelist Gillian Slovo; Hugh Orde, Chief Constable of the PSNI; and Terence Brown of Trinity College. Eamon Delaney, Ann Cadwallader and Austin Hunter head up a panel discussion; readings by Pól O'Múiri and Jimmy Ellis.
Spraoi Festival
July 29 - July 31
Waterford, 051-841808
www.spraoi.com
The emphasis is on having as many of the events as possible outdoors. Highlights include the Irish premiere of French- Brazilian circus theatre company Circo da Madrugada, with their aerial show, Tombé du Ciel. There is also Cuban band, Asere, and an a cappella group, The Magnets.
AUGUST
Yeats Summer School
August 1-12
Sligo, 071-9142693
www.yeats-sligo.com
Every year the academics return with yet more intriguing-sounding papers on Yeats. This summer: Charles Altieri of Berkeley on Late Yeats and the Hegelian Problems of the Weak Copula; Warwick Gould of London on Lips and Ships, Yeats and the Trojan war; and Stephen Hart of London on Paradigms of Peripheral Modernity in Lorca and Yeats. Poetry readings by Paul Muldoon, Tom Paulin, Vona Groarke, Julie O'Callaghan, Eamon Grennan, Dennis O'Driscoll and Leland Bardwell.
Kilkenny Arts Festival
August 12-21
Kilkenny, 056-7763663 www.kilkennyarts.ie
British choir Ex Cathedra, best-known for their Early Music and French and Latin American Baroque, will perform. Canadian novelist Guy Vanderhaeghe has a debut reading in Ireland and Jamaican-born poets Jean "Binta" Breeze and Lemn Sissay will also read. The Performance Corporation will be doing a physical theatre piece. Also, street theatre from Australian company, Snuff Puppets, and a reading by children's writer, Eoin Colfer.
Parnell Summer School
August 14-19
Avondale, Co Wicklow, 01-2852113 www.parnellsociety.com
This year's theme is Fixing the Boundaries, Ireland from the Margins. The school will be opened by Enda Kenny TD, and novelist John McGahern will give the keynote address. Paul Bew of QUB will deliver the Parnell Memorial Lecture. Steven King of the Ulster Unionist Party, historian Brian Maye and Eamonn Phoenix of Stranmillis debate 100 Years of Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party. PJ Mathews of UCD will speak on Globalisation and Irish Identity. Ciara Smyth of NUI Galway speaks on Marginalised Peoples, What a Difference the Law Makes. Carole Coleman of RTÉ will give the Marie Tobin Memorial Lecture, and broadcaster Olivia O'Leary will share her thoughts on contemporary politics.
Merriman Summer School
August 20-27
Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, 086-3820671 www.merriman.ie
The Merriman celebrates the bicentennial of Brian Merriman's death, and the programme is bigger than usual. Among the topics to be debated will be a contemporary look at the main themes in The Midnight Court. There will be a particular focus on marriage; the life of women then and now; and the clergy of the time when the poem was written. Among the participants will be: Garret FitzGerald, Maeve Binchy, William Binchy, Declan Kiberd, Alan Titley, John F Deane, Liam Ó Murchú, Nuala O'Faolain, and Brian Ó Dálaigh. An additional feature of this year's school will be "The Midday Court", where, in deference to Merriman's famous poem, every day at noon contemporary poets will read from their work.
Boyle Arts Festival
August 22-29
Boyle, Co Roscommon, 07196-63085
www.boylearts.com
Kicks off with an intriguing-sounding show from Ponydance Company, called Trousers - An Exploration in Pants. Pianist Finghin Collins will give a recital and there'll be concerts with Nóirín Ní Riain, and Eoin and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin; the New Orleans Gospel Choir; and Steve Wickham. Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh will give a talk and read from his book. This year, there will be a special exhibition of new work invited from the 150 artists who have shown in Boyle in the past. Artists who have confirmed submissions to date are: Barrie Cooke, Basil Blackshaw, John Shinnors, Nick Miller, Sean MacSweeney and Nancy Wynne Jones.
Humbert-Michael Davitt Summer School
August 23-28
Ballina and venues throughout Mayo, 087-2418461
The school is being restructured this year, expanding its range by linking General Humbert's 1798 landing with the land agitation of Michael Davitt a century later. Thus the theme of this year's school is Mayo, the Home of Radical Politics. The two inaugural Davitt lectures will be given by John Cooney and James Laffey, on the topics of Davitt's Place in History and Davitt's Impact on Mayo Politics. Rev Enda McDonagh will speak on religion and politics. A special session will debate the topic The Role of Independents in Today's Politics, with TDs Jerry Cowley, Marian Harkin and others.
Greaves Summer School
August 26-28
Dublin, 087-2308330
The Prospects for the Left in Ireland is this year's opening discussion, with Eugene McCartan of the Communist Party of Ireland, and chaired by artist Robert Ballagh. Academics Mary Cullen and Brian Hanley will discuss Desmond Greave's historical writings and his role as a historian. Finian McGrath TD will chair the discussion on The Present Situation and the Future for Irish Republicanism. There will also be a forum on Greaves, Some Personal Memories, with contributors Gerry Curran, Barney Morgan, Michael O'Riordan, Helga MacLiam and Muriel Saidleir.
Dún Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures
August 26-28
Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin
01-2301036
www.festivalofworldcultures.com
A festival which has grown enormously, and one which is ever more pertinent, given the number of people from different cultures now living in Ireland. The programme is yet to be announced, but expect a carnival atmosphere, music, circus, markets, exhibitions, club nights and theatre.
Are there too many summer gigs? Jim Carroll in The Ticket on Friday.
