The end of Noirin Ni Riain's term as singer in residence to Laois County Council will be marked with a function in her honour at Killeshin Hotel next Sunday.
Before her appointment seven months ago, the council had used writers and painters in residence.
Ms Ni Riain said she had had "a wonderful but exhausting" time in Laois and had enjoyed making contact, through song, with the people of the area.
Her stint ends as Bealtaine 2000, the Laois Festival of Literature, opens.
From next Thursday, May 11th, until the following Sunday Laois will host events such as a performance by Fintan Vallely in the Kitchen on the opening day.
A coffee and chat club as gaeilge will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday in the Dunamaise Theatre.
Full details of all events are available by phoning (0502) 22044.
Also running at the Dunamaise Theatre is the Exposure 99 exhibition of images by the photographers of The Irish Times.
The exhibition, organised in association with Fujifilm and Laois County Council, will close next Friday.
In Athlone the Ericsson All Ireland Drama Festival opened last Tuesday in the newly refurbished Dean Crowe Hall.
When the festival ends next Sunday audiences will have seen 12 plays performed by the best amateur theatre groups in the State.
The organisers have enjoyed strong attendance figures for the festival and expect demand to continue.
Bookings for the remaining performances can be made by phoning (0902) 92129.