September 22nd-28th
Shucks
The Galway International Oyster Festivalstarts Thursday and runs until Sunday. Highlights include the Irish Oyster Opening Championships on Thursday night at Quays Bar, the Magnificent Mardi Gras Party on Friday evening at the festival marquee and the Oyster Festival Gala Ball at the Radisson Hotel on Saturday (091-587992). The Taste of West Cork Festivaltakes place in Skibbereen, Co Cork this weekend. There's a farmers' market today from 10am at Fairfield, an open-air barbecue at 2pm on Main Street and Slow Food Trails hosted by Dianne Curtin. In Fairfield car park tomorrow from noon, there is a 100-stall food and craft market.
Plough on
More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the 76th National Ploughing Championshipswhich take place at Annaharvey Farm, Tullamore, Co Offaly from Tuesday until Thursday. There will be 300 competitors taking part in the National Ploughing Finals, while other highlights include 65 acres of exhibitions, a bio-energy village, livestock showcases and the first Irish timber sports series.
Free streets
Today is European Car Free Dayand motorists are encouraged to leave their cars at home and try public transport. Events in Dublin take place in Parnell Square East, Merrion Square West and Herbert Park in Donnybrook, all of which will be closed off to cars. Starting at Cork's Emmet Place at 11.30am, the Rebel Pedal Paradeis a 45-minute bike ride around the car-free streets, followed by a street festival with food, music, bike doctor clinics and street performers. Residents of Ennis, Co Clare, are invited to dust off their old unused bikes and take them out for a spin for a ReCycle Your Bikeevent around the town.
Giving
Turning Point, a charity that helps those affected by bereavement and illness, celebrates its 21st birthday this evening with a fundraising concert at the RDS Concert Hall in Dublin. Las Divas y Los Divosis a journey through the world of opera and musicals with Virginia Kerr, Kathy Nugent, Emmanuel Lawlor and Jimmy O'Byrne (01-2807888).
Light opera
The Waterford Festival of Light Opera, which runs until Saturday at the Theatre Royal, hosts societies from the UK, US, Canada, Switzerland and Ireland, and includes productions of Mikado, Bat Boy The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jesus Christ Superstar and We Will Rock You. The Fringe festival includes street theatre, visual art, comedy and a music trail. See www.waterfordfestival.com.
The New Ross Piano Festivaltakes place at St Mary's Church, New Ross, Co Wexford from Friday until Sunday and includes performances by Finghin Collins, John O'Conor and Freddy Kempf.
Teeing off
Nick Faldo's Great Britain and Ireland team take on Seve Ballesteros' Europe for the Ryder Cup-styled Seve Trophyat the Heritage Golf and Spa Resort in Killenard, Co Laois, from Thursday to Sunday. The Evening Echo Cork Ladies Mini Marathonstarts at 1pm tomorrow on Centre Park Road in Cork city.
and finally...
The 37th Irish Hot-Air Ballooning Championshipstakes place in Athlone, Co Westmeath from tomorrow until Friday. The visually spectacular event attracts 40 hot-air balloons from all over the world with flights taking place twice daily at 7.30am and 4pm - weather permitting, of course. For more details, see www.irishchampionships.com