June 23-29
Art
Spanning the artist's entire career, Anne Madden: A Retrospectiveat the Irish Museum of Modern Art from Wednesday comprises 60 of her works. www.imma.ie Currently running at McBride Gallery in Killarney is the Summer Group Exhibition, which comprises fine art from 26 Irish artists. www.mcbrideartgallery.com
Freebie
Books in the Parkis a free family event in Cabinteely Park today featuring talks by 10 writers - such as Sarah Webb, Robert dunbar and Paul Carson - for children and adults. From 2.30pm. www.dlrcoco.ie
Theatre
Tall Tales lunchtime season of plays at the Bewley's on Grafton Street kicks off with Deirdre Kinahan's Hue & Cryuntil August 11th. Lunch is served also so you'll return to work well fed and cultured up. www.talltales.ie They Never Froze Walt Disneyis Jody O'Neill's disturbing tale of romance and refrigeration at the Unitarian Church in Princes Street, Cork from Monday. 021-4274077.
Thunderbirds are go
The Salthill Air Showtakes place tomorrow from 3pm along the promenade. Included for the first time in Ireland is the US Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds.
Giving
Benny Coleman and Ger Frawley both lost their mothers to cancer and decided to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society by cycling around Ireland. They set out from Dingle this week on the 1,600km journey, which will take roughly three weeks. You can support this endeavour by calling the Irish Cancer Society (01-2310500) and quoting reference number 113838.
Cultured kids
Most primary schools finish up this week so here's a couple of ideas to keep them busy. At Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, they have an impressive summer programme for kids of all ages, including sketching clubs, art workshops and camps. See www.hughlane.ie Author Megan Wynne hosts a Creative Writing Summer Campat Ardgillan Castle in Skerries from July 2nd-6th. 086-8048102.
Shank's mare
The Mourne International Walking Festivaltakes place this weekend in Warrenpoint, Co Down and features walks to suit all levels of fitness. The event culminates with the Blister Ball at the Duke Bar. www.mournewalking.co.uk Castlebar Four Days Walksis billed as a festival of walking, talking, rambling, music, song and dance. The walks won't kill you but the night-time antics might.www.castlebar4dayswalks.com
Sport
The Budweiser Irish Derbyfestival kicks off at the Curragh from Friday with the main event on Sunday 1st. Leinster and Ulster Senior Football championship semi-finalstake place tomorrow. Two national sailing events happen this weekend: the ICRA Nationalsat the Royal Cork Yacht Club and the Ruffian Nationalsin Dún Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club.
Gigs
Today: Pink(Malahide Castle), Amy Millen(Cyprus Avenue). Tuesday: Aerosmith(Marlay Park), Slayer(Live at the Marquee), Travis(Tripod). Wednesday: INXS(The Olympia). Friday: The Who(Marlay Park), Duran Duran(Live at the Marquee).
and finally...
You know summer is really here when Wimbledonis on the telly. From Monday.