October 6th to October 12th
Giving
The 4x4 Challenge 4 Charity, a two-day driving and navigational challenge, sets off from Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle, Co Roscommon, this morning in aid of Temple Street Children's University Hospital. The 800km challenge finishes tomorrow evening at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Co Cavan.
Masterclass
The Story of the Great Masterslectures take place at 6.30pm on Thursdays this month at the National Gallery, followed by supper in the Millennium Wing. Next week's speaker is Prof Mauro Lucco, on Judith and the Head of Holofernes by the 15th-century painter Andrea Mantegna. Tickets €35 from 01-6633518.
Theatre
Dublin Theatre Festivalcontinues with Marina Carr's Woman and Scarecrow, starring Barbara Brennan, Olwen Fouéré, Bríd Ní Neachtain and Simon O'Gorman at the Peacock Theatre from tomorrow until November 10th (01-8787222). At the Gate Theatre until November 17th, Brian Friel's adaptation of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya stars Cathy Belton, Frances Blackburn and Anthony Calf (01-8744045).
Music
Today: The Police(Croke Park). Sunday: Reuben(Cyprus Ave, Cork). Tuesday: Ani DiFranco(Tripod, Dublin). Wednesday: Rufus Wainwright(Vicar Street, Dublin). Friday: The Flaws(Whelan's, Dublin).
Freebie
The Festival of World Foodoffers food and music from around the globe at Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin, from 11am to 6pm today and tomorrow. Stalls offer, among other things, baba ganoush from Lebanon, sushi from Japan, bratwurst from Germany, curry from India, fresh pasta and a Mayan conchita pobil, or slow-roasted pork, cooked in an oven dug out of the ground. There are also free workshops and demonstrations. www.dlrevents.ie.
Family affair
The Masterson Clan are four distinctive voices from Gorey, in Co Wexford. This week they bring their close-knit harmonies to the National Concert Hall, singing music theatre, classical music and Irish airs. Check it out at 1.05pm on Friday, and again October 19th.
Watercolours
The 153rd exhibition of the Water Colour Society of Ireland, which runs until Saturday October 13th at Dún Laoghaire County Hall, includes works by more than 100 artists, including Des Carrick, Patrick Cahill, William Carron, Chris Dearden and Pauline Doyle. There is a free "Come and Draw" morning from 11am to 1pm today.
Energy day
Tomorrow is Energy Day at Sonairte Ecology Centrein Laytown, Co Meath. From 1.30pm there's a series of lectures covering water conservation, natural insulation and building a zero-carbon home. There's also information on saving and creating energy in your home, wood-pellet burners, wind turbines, solar panels, water management and eco computers and cars. www.sonairte.org.
And finally . . .
On Monday at 7pm at O'Reilly Hall, the UCD Law Society hosts a public lecture by Wild Swans author Jung Chang. Chang's latest book, Mao: The Unknown Story, which she wrote with her husband, the historian Jon Halliday, is a highly critical account of Mao Zedong's life and work. For free tickets e-mail law.society@ucd.ie.