A weekly guide to going out, staying in and generally living the life.
Country life
Markree Castle in Co Sligo will today open its elegant grounds to the public for the annual Markree Game and Country Fair. The aristocratic setting is perfect for a weekend of clay pigeon shooting, archery, medieval jousting, military bands, a falconry show and much more for all the family. Guest of honour will be Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall, author of the best selling Good Granny Guide. See www.enterprisemarkree.ie for details.
Spectacles
From Monday, Temple Bar will be transformed into a circus arena as 50 of the world's greatest performers roll into town as part of this year's Diversions Festival. Trapeze acts, acrobatics, juggling, dramatic illusions and death-defying feats will be performed in Dublin's cobbled quarter, free of charge. The week-long event finishes up with a one-day circus carnival on Sunday, July 23rd. See www.templebar.ie for further information.
Festivals
The Dart to Bray will be busy today as Bray Summerfest '06 comes to life. The seafront bandstand will stage a variety of concerts during the week, and the elegant Kilruddery House (right) will host a boutique garden party on Thursday (www.braysummerfest.com). If an active family event is what you're after, head to the Family Festival in the picturesque Kerry town of Sneem, which starts on Wednesday (www.sneemfestival.com).
Arts
Kinsale Arts Week gets underway today and runs until July 23rd. The event will feature art exhibitions by local, national and international talent (www.kinsaleartsweek.com). Tomorrow the Galway Arts Festival will begin a fortnight of street theatre, visual art, dance, music, and literature. Theatrical highlights include My Name is Rachel Corrie, while David Gray, UB40 and Rodrigo y Gabriela (left) will play the Big Top (www.galwayartsfestival.com).
For all ages
The Trim Veteran and Vintage Rally celebrates its 21st birthday tomorrow. Over 450 cars from yesteryear take to the streets (www.trimcarrally.ie). Tomorrow, Snow White, a puppet show with Paula Lambert, plays at Airfield Arts Centre, Dundrum, Dublin 14 (www.airfield.ie). Derry's long-running Children's Art Festival begins on Monday. This year, it's aptly named Trash, Mash and Mayhem (www.derryplayhouse.co.uk).
Gardens
The Steam Museum and Lodge Park Walled Garden in Straffan, Co Kildare is hosting a musical barbecue today at 7.30pm, to benefit the Celbridge Multiple Sclerosis Self Help Group. Tickets are €20 for adults and €10 for children under 16. The museum and garden will also be open today and tomorrow from 2pm to 6pm; €7.50 for adults, €5 for children and senior citizens and €20 for families. See www.steam-museum.com for more details.