Always a bit of a blast, in that it mixes some serious art action with some serious socialising afterwards, the Galway Arts Festival gets up and running today. An exhilarating theatre programme includes Fir Clis's production of Site (pictured) which, seems likely to be the highlight of the whole shebang this year. Also worth keeping an eye out for is the Russian company, Derevo (huge favourites at the Edinburgh festival) whose pyrotechnical adventures will leave you shuddering. Music-wise, the mad-for-it Happy Mondays will be evoking heady memories of Madchester as they continue on their (against all odds) successful reunion tour.
Comedy-wise, keep an eye out for exuberant Dublin comic Jason Byrne while if you're the sort of person who enjoys being offended, don't miss the mouthy Australian comic, Brendon Burns. See individual categories for further details.
