The week ahead.
Family
All three Irish tall ships - Asgard II, Dunbrody and The Jeanie Johnston - will be in Dublin next weekend, for Docklands Maritime Festival. Most of the activity is on land rather than water - with music from Eleanor McEvoy, cabaret singer Caroline Moreau and the Mad Hatters samba swingers, among others - but storyteller Niall de Burca will leave terra firma to tell tall tales of sea serpents and magical rocks. www.docklands.ie, 01-8183300.
Literature
Now in its 36th year, Listowel Writers' Week kicks off on Wednesday, with Colm Tóibin presiding over the events as festival president. Internationally acclaimed writers such as Nobel laureate JM Coetzee, Orange Prize-winner Lionel Shriver (left) and Canadian author Jane Urquhart will be joined by Irish writers John Banville, Rita Ann Higgins, Frank McCourt and Nuala O'Faolain. More details from www.writersweek.ie or call 068-21074.
Music
The music-festival season begins in earnest this weekend, with Sligo Live taking place at Sligo Racecourse from Friday until Sunday. Headliners Sinéad O'Connor (right), The Proclaimers, Midnight Well and Dervish get strong support from, among others, Declan O'Rourke, Ron Sexsmith, folk star Kate Rusby and fiddle legend Martin Hayes with Denis Cahill. See www.sligolive.ie for details or www.ticketmaster.ie to book your place.
Tribute
The genius of Rory Gallagher won't easily be forgotten, particularly with the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival taking place in Gallagher's birthplace of Ballyshannon from Thursday to Sunday. Last year it attracted more than 4,000 fans of the guitar legend to the Donegal town. This year sees bands from Germany, Italy and England perform. For more information, see www.goingtomyhometown.com.
Mini-marathon
Respect, please, for the legions of women heading into their final week of training for the 23rd annual Flora Women's Mini Marathon, on June 5th. Picking up the tempo now, the walkers cover four or five miles this weekend, muttering: "Train, don't strain". If you didn't sign up in time this year, good vantage points are Merrion Road, Belfield flyover, Leeson Street and Donnybrook. An event to bring on a smile - and a certain smugness.
Comedy
The deal at the Smithwick's Cat Laughs Comedy Festival is that you get the best in US, British, Australian and, of course, Irish humour. The most notable festival newcomer is the electric Doug Stanhope, whose close-to-the-bone material usually prompts a few walkouts. Also look out for Jimmy Carr, Rich Hall, Adam Hills, Dom Irrera, Ardal O'Hanlon, Barry Murphy and Des Bishop. See what tickets are left on 056-7763837 or www.thecatlaughs.com.