STITCH UP: Go under cover this week at the Irish Patchwork Society's exhibition of quilts. The international show will be a kaleidoscope of colour, not least because it includes several quilts by Kaffe Fassett.
Fassett will give a slide lecture on his travel-inspired designs. The eastern branch of the Irish Patchwork Society will also exhibit a selection of Irish quilts in a show called Water for Life, which runs until July 22nd at Blanchardstown Library, beside Draíocht. And if all that inspires you to transform scraps of material into a masterpiece, demonstrations and workshops will be held in the basic techniques in patchwork and quilting from July 11th to 15th. The exhibitions begin on Friday; the international element runs until August 28th. Admission is free. Call 01-8098026. The quilt pictured is Thank You Vincent by Cathy Thom from Canada. Nicoline Greer
COFFEE WATCH
Just when did Irish people collectively lose their minds and start willingly paying €2-€3 for a spoonful of coffee, some hot water, and a tumbler of frothy milk, swilling around into a paper cup. One or two of these a day (some people have many more than that) and pretty soon it's costing you upwards of a grand a year. Nice then to see Aston Deli, in Dublin's former Virgin Megastore, selling cappuccinos and lattes for just €1, a reasonable figure far closer to the cost of actually producing them. And they're better than plenty of the higher-priced stuff nearby. If they can do it, surely others can too. So let's start a coffee campaign. If you have a favourite coffee shop that serves great takeaway coffee at a fair price, send your suggestions in to coffee@irish-times.ie and we'll spread the word.
TREASURE TROVE
If you're touring the Ring of Beara (more quiet and less commercial than its big sister Ring of Kerry) do stop at Adrigole Arts, in the village of Adrigole on the Beara Peninsula. Gerry Bruton's shop has quality Irish craftwork from around 100 makers, most based in the west of Ireland. There are jewellery, ceramics, glass, woven goods - and not a tea towel or cloth cap in sight. Textiles include Geeskemaria Harnett's summery, barely-there silk and felt wraps and Eugene and Anke McKernan's glowing scarves in luxurious mixes of silk, cashmere, angora, merino and mohair. Rosemarie Durr's pale blue ceramics are both useful and chic, while Earl Allgrove's turned wood pieces are so fine they are translucent. A tea room will offer refreshment from early July, and a gallery opens in August with a show by Axel Miret. Open March to October, and weekends in November and December, 027-60234. Jane Powers
HIDDEN GARDENS
A pleasant way to spend a sunny afternoon this summer is to visit some spectacular gardens. There's an additional pleasure in seeing gems that are not normally open to the public if you go on a tour organised by antique dealer Roxanne Moorhead, whose other interests include horticulture. Although the tours also take in some well-known gardens and houses, she has made access to private gardens possible and, usually in company with the owners, will guide you through the history and thinking behind each. These sociable events - each one consists of a few garden visits - also include lunch. The most popular is sure to be the Co Kildare tour, which includes a visit to Lyons Demesne, built in 1797 and now the home of Tony Ryan. This the last chance to see this magnificent house, its great furniture and its formal garden, as Ryan has decided to close the house to visiting groups at the end of September. Call 01-6605165 for details and to book. Tours cost between €75 and €85, including lunch. Eoin Lyons
HANDBAGS AT DAWN
Ten Irish designers have each been asked to make a once-off special handbag, all of which will be auctioned at the Handbags & Gladrags Carnival at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham next Friday, July 8th. Peter O'Brien, John Rocha, Orla Kiely, Marc O'Neill, Lucy Downes, Mariad Whisker and Joanne Hynes are just some of those contributing their creations to the event which takes place in the hall, church and courtyard of IMMA, Kilmainham, Dublin and promises to be as successful as the inaugural one held last year. The event which will feature barbecues, music, DJs from Barcelona, and various performance artists, raises funds for Crumlin Children's Hospital. Tickets at €100 can be booked on 01-4096300. Check out the website at www.handbagsandgladrags.ie for further information. Deirdre McQuillan