A weekly guide to going out, staying in and generally living the life.
Swimming
This week more than 150 swimmers with Down syndrome, representing 17 international teams, will compete in the 3rd World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships at the University of Limerick Arena. All will be going for a gold in a competition that features many swimmers whose times are only marginally slower than those of non-intellectually disabled competitive swimmers. Details from 1890-373737.
Adventure
is a celebration of adventure sports in Westport today and tomorrow. Activities include wakeboarding, paragliding, hot-air ballooning and paramotoring - parachuting with an engine. "It's Raining Men" will see the largest skydiving formation drop from the sky. The festival will coincide with two races, Gaelforce 6, in aid of Fighting Blindness, and Gaelforce 12, which will be aired to 150 million viewers worldwide. www.gaelforcewest.ie.
Spectacles
Kilkenny and Cork fight it out tomorrow in the All-Ireland hurling final, at Croke Park, so show your colours. On Friday the International Puppet Festival begins, with companies from Brazil, Russia (right) and Iran among this year's impressive line-up, appearing at the Pavilion Theatre, in Dún Laoghaire, and Lambert Puppet Theatre, in Monkstown, Co Dublin. See www.lambertpuppettheatre.com or call 01-2800974 to book.
Comedy
The hugely varied and entertaining Bulmers International Comedy Festival begins today and lasts for a month. Highlights include the Little Britain duo (left), who have sold out at the Point, Jimmy Carr, the cleverly inventive Jimeoin, the always splendid Deirdre O'Kane and the eccentric Boothby Graffoe. Tickets vary in price, and it is advisable to book ahead. See www.bulmerscomedy.ie.
Music festivals
Stay in the rebel county for the 27th Beamish Cork Folk Festival, which starts on Monday, culminating in a céilí mór next Sunday. See www.corkfolkfestival.com for more details of the event, which could be all the more memorable, depending on the outcome of the All-Ireland hurling final. Meanwhile, the East Cork Early Music Festival starts on Wednesday. See www.eastcorkearlymusic.ie.
Food
Cahir Heritage Food Fair takes place in Cahir, Co Tipperary, with tastings and food demonstrations at today's farmers' market, on Castle Street. Tomorrow there are children's activities and music at Cahir Castle. See www.cahirnews.cahirda.com. Midleton Food & Drink Festival also takes place today and tomorrow. You'll find locally produced goods, as well as delicacies from around the world. See www.irelandcork.com/midleton.