Something for the weekend: Fjords, films and open houses

Back To Our Past: Back To Our Past is a genealogy, family and social history event for people interested in tracing their Irish roots and learning more about Irish history. It includes a range of presentations and workshops and takes place in the RDS, Dublin. backtoourpast.ie

Ballinasloe Horse Fair: Ballinasloe Horse Fair is Europe's oldest horse fair dating back to the 17th Century. Events include an equestrian parade, live music on the festival stage, street entertainment, soap box racing, a fireworks display, street tug of war, a craft market and dog show. ballinasloeoctoberfair.com

Dublin Festival of History: The Dublin Festival of History will conclude this weekend with a lecture by Trinity College Dublin historian Dr Stephen O'Connor about ex-British servicemen who joined the IRA during the War of Independence. He has counted 124 to date the best known of whom was Tom Barry. He was serving with the Royal Field Artillery in Kut during Easter Week 1916. The lecture takes place on Saturday at 3pm in Raheny Library.

OFFline Film Festival: The OFFline Film Festival takes place at the weekend in Birr, Co Offaly. Both shorts and features are screened each year in lots of quirky venues – including a drive-in movie venue. There are also workshops for visiting filmmakers and local film enthusiasts. offlinefilmfestival.com

OpenHouseLimerick: Limerick will host an open-door weekend with many of the cities best-known buildings open to the public. Among the venues included are Sarsfield Barracks, Lord Edward Street, McKerns Printing Works, Glentworth Street and St Mary's Cathedral. For the first time, OpenHouseLimerick will profile some Limerick's key regeneration projects. Architect Séamus Hanrahan's guided bus tour includes Cliona Park, Colivet Court, Opera Centre, Thomond Weir and more on Saturday. openhouselimerick.ie

Great Fjord Swim: The Great Fjord Swim is an open-water swimming event which takes place in the deep green waters of Killary Fjord surrounded by the mountains of Mayo and Connemara. There is a 2km and a 750m event. In 2014 a non-wetsuit category was also introduced for the 2km event to cater for all those brave swimmers who swim year-round without a wetsuit.gaelforceevents.com

Western Front Associations conference: The Western Front Associations of Cork, Dublin, Antrim and Down are hosting a major conference on Irish involvement in the first World War. United and Divided: The Impact of the first World War on Britain, Ireland and the Empire will take place at the Ambassador Hotel, Cork, on Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm.

Among those participating are historians Prof Gary Sheffield and Prof Stephen Badsey. Col Brendan O'Shea from the Irish Defence Forces Military college will speak about Maj Willie Redmond. Tickets are €15.