Here's an immediate example of the arts innovation in Tallaght mentioned above - the Tallaght Literary Festival will be launched this evening in Tallaght Library at 7 p.m. and runs for a week.

There is a poetry workshop with Paula Meehan, a session on how to get published with Ide O'Leary of O'Brien Press, a workshop on writing for radio by RTE's Seamus Hosey, a session on writing for cinema with Eoin McNamee, and a lecture entitled "Reviewing Fiction: Is It Necessary?" by our own Eileen Battersby. Contact Caroline on 01-4520611 or Jeni on 014621067 for information.

Then, before you have time to catch your breath, the Des Carty Summer School of Traditional Music (July 24th-30th) kicks off, with classes in banjo, mandolin, guitar, button accordion, fiddle and bodhran, master classes in fiddle and guitar with Jamesie Byrne and Steve Cooney, and recitals from the likes of Joe Burke and Jackie Daly. Phone Linda on 01-4520611 or 0882152247 for information.