REACH FOR THE STARS: From Roundwood in Co Wicklow, you can "see the milky way arching across the heavens" says David Moore, star-struck chairman of Astronomy Ireland - a society with almost 10,000 members.
At the end of the month, Roundwood will host the society's annual Star-B-Q, an inter-galactic party. With Mars again close to Ireland, novices and more experienced star-gazers will be craning their necks skyward until after midnight. This year, the society has acquired a huge and powerful laser that will beam a pencil thin light into the sky to point out the constellations to beginners. The 21-inch Millennium Telescope will also be in action, and there will be talks on topics including astronomy using binoculars. Star-B-Q is on August 26th €35 per adult, €25 for under 16s, including food and drink, and the talks. Book on www.astronomy.ie or 01-8470777. Nicoline Greer
SECRET ADMIRER
Want to know a secret? Then check out Post Secret, a funny, and sometimes heartbreaking website which displays creatively illustrated postcards sent in by anonymous members of the public, each revealing something the sender has never before shared with anyone. This self-described "ongoing community art project" began as an installation produced by artist Frank Warren in 2004, after he put up flyers asking strangers to post him their secrets. Since then, Warren has received thousands of secrets from all over the world, and Melbourne composer Sasha Stella is producing a musical piece based on the project. Some of the secrets are horrific, some funny and some desperately sad. All are fascinating. See for yourself at www.postsecret.com. Anna Carey
FULL OF BEANS
The café at the Hugh Lane Gallery is running food events and the next one takes place tomorrow afternoon, when Ariosa Coffee will host a day of coffee tasting. Michael Kelly, founder of Ariosa Coffee, will give a talk about how he goes about producing his speciality blends. He will also talk about making and storing coffee at home. Kelly learned about coffee from serving it to the sophisticates of Sydney and New York, where an Italian roaster taught him how to blend beans. You'll also find him selling freshly roasted beans at the Temple Bar Food Market every Saturday. All of his coffees are ethically sourced from South America, Africa and Indonesia. Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square, Dublin 1. 3-5pm. Admission free. Nicoline Greer
YOUR OWN OLYMPIC SPIRIT
If the word "exercise" sends you running in the direction of your armchair, it is worth considering that doing only 15 minutes a day can put you on the fast track to a healthier lifestyle. The Olympic Council of Ireland recently unveiled its Get Moving campaign, incorporating a website, road shows, informative booklets and National Get Moving week, which aims to shift the people from the living room to the park. The road shows will be touring shopping centres around the country until September 3rd, and advice will be given by Irish Olympic athletes on how to integrate activity into daily routines. National Get Moving week, beginning on August 22nd, will encourage members of the public to visit participating local sports clubs to try out sports that they may not have previously considered, free of charge. Log on to www.ocigetmoving.ie to receive a free, tailor-made programme designed around your goals, level of fitness and working environment. Lauren McCreery
WRITING ON THE WALL
The basement doors of Hogan's on South Great Georges Street have long been a medium for graffiti about life, love and anything else that crosses the mind at 3am. Now, the pub is taking a slightly more organised approach. The Writer's Block - a wall in the basement level of the bar - is the new canvas for select artists chosen by Mongrel magazine and Tiger beer. For each of the past three months, a different artist has brought a design to the wall. The current creation (above) is by graphic designer and animator Grainne McHugh, who has painted a design "inspired by classical Georgian architecture and the French revolution". At the end of the year, the painting chosen as the best will win an iMac. To submit a design, e-mail thewritersblock@mongrel.ie. Nicoline Greer
DUE NORTHEAST
It's with mixed emotions that the crew of the boat Northabout have flown to Moscow this week. The seven Irish and one Russian crew members have returned to the bleak Siberian port of Khatanga to free Northabout from its icy shackles where it became stuck last summer. This week, the boat set off on the second part of the Northeast Passage, the route north of the Arctic Circle. Polar bears, cramped and cold conditions and horrible weather were some of the harsh adversities to contend with last year. But, now, the boat has been re-launched, and this leg of the journey will take them into increasingly hospitable seas. When the crew reach Irish shores again in September they hope they will be the first small craft to successfully sail the Northeast Passage. Their website is well-maintained throughout the trip: see their regular updates and fascinating photos as the trip progresses at www.northabout.com. Nicoline Greer
HOW TO CHOOSE A CHEESE
Matthews Cheese Cellar opened this week in an impressively remodelled basement at 17 Upper Baggot Street in Dublin (conveniently located next door to Oddbins). Annie McEvoy, who previously worked with Sheridan Cheese Mongers, is general manager, and the shop is owned by Gavan Matthews of the International Cheese Company, suppliers of cheese to the hotel and catering trade. "The wholesale business supports the shop, and it's great to have a place to bring chefs in and let them try our full range," says Matthews. Prices are competitive - about 10-15 per cent lower than many retailers, they claim, and expert advice is available from McEvoy, whose passion for cheese is infectious. Star buys are a superb 28-month aged Parmigiano-Reggiano D.O. (€28 per kilo); a memorable Comte (€23), and don't miss the Normandy butter (€6 for 250g). There is also a small selection of unusual hams and salamis on sale and, as with the cheeses, you can try everything before you buy. Matthews Cheese Cellar, 17 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4, 01-6685275, Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm. Marie-Claire Digby
WHAT RHYMES WITH OYSTER?
In advance of the 10th Ballylongford Oyster Festival in September, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Poetry Ireland are looking for an ode to the oyster. The writer of the best oyster-inspired poem will get €1,000, as well as being "Guinnessed and oystered" (as opposed to wined and dined). The festival will signal the opening of entries for the Quality Oyster Awards, also celebrating their 10th birthday. Oysters, of course, should be eaten only when there's an "R" in the month, so judging begins in September. Taste, smell, meat appearance, ease of opening and shape are the criteria for an oyster contest, in case you're wondering. Entries for the poetry competition must be in by August 31st. www.bim.ie/oysters. Ballylongford Oyster Festival, Friday, September 16th. Nicoline Greer