There hasn't exactly been a media blitz in the south, but the 100th Oireachtas na Gaeilge, the biggest Irish-language gathering of the year, is taking place in Belfast from today until November 2nd. As well as the usual highly competitive seannos competitions, there is a cornucopia of events, including a film season at the Virgin Cinema, an Irish-language production of Accidental Death Of An Anarchist by Dario Fo (who won the Nobel Prize this year) at the Old Museum Arts Centre from Monday, and a parade by Plearaca Chonamara and Minky Hill from the City Hall on Saturday at 2.30 p.m.

It is good to see, too, how many events have a cross-cultural dimension: there is a discussion on Irish and Scots Gaelic and politics on Friday week; this Sunday there will be an Irish-language Presbyterian service; , and on Sunday week, there will be an inter-denominational service. The Belfast information number was not available at the time of going to press, but the Dublin one is 01-4753857.