FESTIVAL WATCH FLAT LAKE LITERARY FESTIVAL, CLONES:"The Flat Lake puts a big two fingers up to them wot is causing all this bad weather and says it will not be bate by a drop of it!"
This is just a taste of the madness and eccentricity of the 2008 literary festival starting tomorrow, and ending on Sunday, August 24th. This year's line-up has some big names appearing, including Hugo Hamilton, Paul Muldoon, Edna O'Brien, David Holmes, The Dublin Architectural Debate, Séamus Heaney and Shane MacGowan. The festival has a 2,000 people per day limit, so over the two days they expect to have 4,000 in attendance, who can see over 80 performers.
' X tractor, the Flat Lake twist on a talent show, is judged by a surprise panel, and will feature boxer Barry McGuigan and his band. After last year's successful art auction, this year a Cherry Red 1964 Triumph Herald will be up for auction with a surprise painting in the boot.
A daily ticket costs €50. A weekend three-night camping ticket costs €110 and under-12s go free. For more information, see www.theflatlakefestival.com
TODAY AND TOMORROW THE BEST OF SUMMER:
TODAY:The Rose of Tralee International Festival begins. Tickets are available for different festival events. See www.roseoftralee.com. The three-day Festival of World Cultures begins with 800 performers playing in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Details from www.festivalofworldcultures.com. The Irish Film Institute in Dublin is screening The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (left) See www.ifi.ie
TOMORROW:The Lovebox festival (with Maximo Park and N*E*R*D) in Marlay Park, Dublin at 2pm. Tickets (€49.20-€58.80) at www.ticketmaster.ie. The Bansha Festival continues in Tipperary after opening yesterday. Admission is free, and there will be street entertainment, sporting and cultural events and an open-air concert on Sunday.
SUNDAY:The Warriors' Run takes place in Strandhill, Co Sligo. Runners must make their way from the beach to the top of Knocknarea mountain and back. Admission is €30 and includes a souvenir T-shirt and drinks.