KidsOut: The Festival of World Cultures in Dún Laoghaire next weekend has many free family attractions.
In the People's Park on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm, children can learn kite-making in "China", experience a tea ceremony in "Japan" and take part in an Aboriginal art workshop in "Australia".
The Heartbeat Percussion Band will perform at 4pm on both days. Venues for the many other events include the Harbour Plaza and both the Dún Laoghaire and Bloomfields shopping centres. www.festivalofworldcultures.com - Kate Holmquist
ReadIn
What books are you reading this summer?
Poet Micheal O'Siadhail
"I've three books on the go. I'm rereading Mandela's Long Walk To Freedom. I've been fascinated by Mandela and find his life story extraordinarily gripping. The connection between music and poetry intrigues me as I also dip into Goethe: Musical Poet, Musical Catalyst, a series of learned essays edited by Lorraine Byrne. At the same time I'm really enjoying Anne Stevenson's Poems 1955-2005."- In conversation with Catherine Foley
SceneOut
St Mullin's early ecclesiastical site, Co Carlow
St Mullin's (right) beautiful ancient monastic site, which survived into the medieval period, is situated on a high wooded promontory on the east bank of the River Barrow at the junction with a tributary river, the Aughavaud. Atmospheric and peaceful now, it experienced Viking attack and the Black Death. The ruins of several churches remain, as well as a high cross, the base of a round tower, a holy well and an Anglo-Norman motte and bailey castle. - Eileen Battersby
InFestival
The Clarenbridge Oyster Festival
This will be the 51st year of the Clarenbridge Oyster Festival, which opens the oyster season in the west each year. Up to 20,000 people are expected to visit the south Galway village, which hosts the festival that starts on Saturday, Aug 27, kicking off with a market day on the village green. Up to 100,000 oysters will be consumed during the eight-day period, with music and dancing also on offer. Further information from 091-796766 or clarenoysterfest@esatclear.ie - CF
Where to go, what to see: for entertainment listings, see The Ticket every Friday in The Irish Times, or go to www.ireland.com/theticket. For other events, see the What's On column in the main paper every Thursday and the Saturday magazine
