August 25th-31st
Heritage week
Heritage Week, which runs from today until September 2nd, includes almost 1,000 events nationwide, mostly free of charge. They include guided tours, historical re-enactments, food fairs, boat trips, storytelling and music. The launch takes place at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin today from 10am. See www.heritageweek.ie for details.
Sport
Dublin City Triathlon, an Olympic-distance race (1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run), takes place today in the Phoenix Park. It kicks off at UCD Boat Club in Islandbridge and finishes at the Papal Cross. Kerry take on the Dubs in the second All-Ireland Senior Football Semi-Finalat GAA headquarters at 3.30pm tomorrow. In the most eagerly awaited fight of his professional career, Bernard Dunnetakes on Spanish boxer Kiko Martinezat the Point, Dublin, tonight. The 2007 All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championshipstake place in Union Hall in west Co Cork this weekend.
Big picnic
Tomorrow, from 11am to 5pm, Fota Houseand gardens in Co Cork is the venue for the Big Picnic, a family-oriented day that includes a barbecue, art trail, markets, puppetry, live music and a teddy bears' picnic. Tickets cost €20 for a family of four (www.fotahouse.com).
Theatre
At the Peacock Theatre, in Dublin, from Monday, Frank McGuinness presents a version of Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle, which runs until next Saturday (01-8787222). Beginning Wednesday at the Samuel Beckett Theatre, Dublin, Calypso theatre company presents Bones. It runs until September 8th (01-8721122).
Festivals
The annual Matchmaking Festivalkicks off in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, on Friday and runs each weekend until October 7th (www.matchmakerireland.com). The Co Cork island of Cape Clear hosts an International Storytelling Festivalfrom Friday until Sunday 2nd. Storytellers featured include Colum Sands, Jan Blake, Grammy-winner David Holt and Diarmuid Ó Drisceoil (http://indigo.ie/~stories).
Music
This weekend sees a cracking line-up take to the stage at Marlay Park in Dublin. Damien Riceheadlines tonight at 8.30pm, supported by KT Tunstall, Guillemots, Willy Mason and Fionn Regan. Tomorrow Kaiser Chiefsare supported by The Fratellis, Ash, The Blizzards and Royseven. Electric Picnic, which kicks off Friday at Stradbally Hall in Co Laois, is the original boutique festival. The musical line-up includes Björk, Iggy and the Stooges, the Chemical Brothers and the Beastie Boys.
and finally
Spanish Point, Co Clare, hosts a surfing blitzthis weekend with surfing, kite- surfing and lifeguard expos. Other beach activities include crab races and sand sculpting.