Compiled by Roisin Ingle
SATURDAY Surf's up so head west today and tomorrow for Co Clare's first Longboard Surfing Competition in Lahinch, where 200 serious surfer dudes are expected to converge. Organised by the West Coast Surf Club, the events take place between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Log on to www.westcoastsurfclub.com to register or get more information.
SUNDAY Take a walk in the Wicklow hills and do something worthy at the same time. The Enniskerry Walking Association invites you to take part in a solidarity walk for the "Keep Ireland Open" campaign, following complaints that some landowners and their agents are attempting to obstruct walkers from their traditional scenic walks. This walk begins at 1 p.m. from the 185 bus terminus at Shop River, Enniskerry, takes around two hours and is described as moderately strenuous. Phone 087-9284934 for more details.
MONDAY Join fellow bookish types in various libraries around Dublin for the Reading for Pleasure series, facilitated by Kate Bateman. Expect plenty of heated discussion about books you liked or loathed and chats that go beyond the banal. "I hated Heathcliff" is unlikely to cut it. Tonight Kate and co will be in Terenure Library at 6.30 p.m. Phone 01-6744809 for other upcoming events.
TUESDAY Fair City actresses are cropping up outside Carrigstown all the time these days. First it was Claudia Carroll with her début novel, and now the soap's Gemma Doorly has written a play called The Robb'd That Smiles which is being performed as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival. The play is about the female subconscious and runs at the Focus Theatre, Pembroke Place, off Leeson Street, until September 26th.
WEDNESDAY It's Energy Awareness Week and this year organisers are asking consumers to turn down the heating in their home by just one degree. This will not only help the environment but will also save 10 per cent on your heating bill. Find out other ways to make a difference by logging onto www.sei.ie or calling locall 1850-376666.
THURSDAY Poetry lovers might be tempted to venture north tonight for a reading by Medbh McGuckian as part of the Aspects Literature Festival. The poet will do a reading in the North Down Heritage Centre in Bangor, Co Down at 9.15 p.m. Admission is £6/5. www.poetryireland.ie.
FRIDAY The Beamish Experience Festival in Cork seems to feature every kind of music, and the good news is that lots of it is free. The gigs are running across the city and tonight it's the turn of Dublin DJ posse Monkey Tennis at the Vineyard, all-girl Pixies-style band Fair Verona at The Quad and new Cork rock act the Robert Harley Band at Mulligan's. Expect loads more free music over the weekend. www.beamish.ie.