DRIVE-IN movies, a beer festival, live music and a book fair are among the free activities planned for Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park this summer.
From July onwards, members of the public will be able to enjoy a series of classic movies on a big screen in the grounds of Farmleigh, including horror films and musicals.
The cultural programme, which is being co-ordinated by the Office of Public Works, was launched by Dr Martin Mansergh, Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, yesterday.
While Dr Mansergh admitted to not being keen on horrors or "silly" films such as Police Academy 5, he expressed admiration for a number of films, including The Lives of Othersand Barry Lyndon.
A series of salon music concerts will take place next month which will include Muzsikas from Hungary and Mali's Ballake Cissokho, while experts from RTÉ's The Dealersshow will offer advice at an antique and rare book fair.
Athletics Ireland is organising a Family Fitness Festival which will include a 5km open road race. The Farmleigh Affair festival returns in August, offering two days of free music.
The two-day SeptemberFest 2008, which is loosely based on Munich's Oktoberfest, will feature Ireland's craft brewers and showcase traditional ales, beers and ciders as well as speciality food.
Other summer events at Farmleigh include a children's book day, storytelling workshops and botany lectures.
The OPW is running similar programmes at Kilkenny Castle and Castletown House, Co Kildare, from July to September.
