The 19th century Limerick opera singer, Catherine Hayes, will be commemorated in a tribute concert at the city's University Concert Hall tomorrow. A book on the world-famous soprano, written by Basil Walsh, was launched earlier this week, 150 years after her last performance in the city. Tomorrow's performance will feature the Voices of the Limerick Choir, soprano Suzanne Murphy and US tenor Evan Powers.
Catherine Hayes performed privately for Queen Victoria and "was the prima donna in La Scala, Milan, for three or four years", director of the concert hall Mr Michael Murphy explained.
The singer was born in 1818, near what is now the Hunt Museum, and was trained in Dublin and Paris. "She was hugely popular all over Britain, singing operas and concerts of arias, but she always included a selection of Irish melodies," Mr Murphy said.
Other events in the region this weekend include the Terryglass Arts Festival in Co Tipperary.
In Lisdoonvarna, the month-long matchmaking festival begins in earnest this weekend, hosted by matchmaker Willie Daly. Details are available at www.matchmakerireland.com. Also in Co Clare is the Dan Furey Set Dancing Weekend at Labasheeda. In Carron, the Burren Festival has been revived after 63 years. Road bowling, sheaf throwing and a tractor reversing competition are among the events.