The Duncannon Sand Sculpting Festival takes place all weekend on Duncannon Beach, Co Wexford. There will be amateur sand sculpting on the beach for all ages, as well as a Teddy Bears Picnic and beach games for children. There will also be live music and street theatre throughout the weekend. The sand sculpting will be conducted by renowned sand sculptors Duthain Dealbh. Most events are free.
The Kilkenny ArtsFestival gets under way on Saturday and features a host of events around the city including music, theatre, dance, exhibitions, literature and talks. Song of the Sea: The Exhibition takes place in Butler Gallery from 10.30am-5pm and presents an interactive, multimedia exhibition of original drawings, prints, storyboards, animation and scene realisation from the film. The exhibition includes a timeline of the Song of the Sea history, from initial drawings to the delivery of an Oscar-nominated animation film. Tickets are free.
Pals - The Irish at Gallipolitakes place on the hour from 11am-3pm on Saturday and at 2pm or 3pm on Sunday at the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks. Based on events surrounding the first World War in Ireland and inspired by the previously untold stories of the seventh battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who swapped the rugby field for the battlefield, the production will give audiences a glimpse into the life and death of a brotherhood of players who were wiped out in the trenches. Tickets are €10.
The Parnell Summer School gets under way at Avondale House, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, on Sunday. This year's theme is: "The French Connection – Ireland and France". It will seek to reflect on the parallels between France and Ireland, and to celebrate the close associations – cultural, intellectual and political – between the two countries. The keynote address takes place at 5pm on Sunday and will be delivered by Prof Wesley Hutchinson. It is entitled "Irish studies in France: connections, go-betweens and networks". Attendance on Sunday is free, while the daily rate from Monday to Thursday is €70 including lunch. http://www.parnellsociety.com/
Shamrock Bowl XXIX, taking place on Sunday at Dalymount Park, Dublin, is the championship game of the 2015 SBC Conference of the Irish American Football League. The Shamrock Bowl will kick off at 3pm between Belfast Trojans and Trinity College Dublin. Before that, there is the final of the inaugural Irish Flag Football League, Emerald Bowl I, at 1pm. There will be a bar, food and other refreshments available on the day, as well as live commentary and entertainment. Tickets €8.
The Tullamore Show, a country lifestyle event, takes place on Sunday. It attracts over 60,000 people with a range of events including the AIB National Livestock competitions, over 650 trade stands, entertainment, artisan food stalls, cookery demonstrations, crafts, fashion shows, rare breed animals, inventions, photography, farm skills, equestrian, vintage machinery, a pets corner, live music, and a kids area. Admission is €20 for adults, €10 for students and senior citizens, while children under 12 years are free.
Wild Words is a children's book festival taking place in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, on Saturday and Sunday. Budding writers will have the opportunity to meet some of Ireland's established authors and illustrators. There will be storytelling on the Moon River pleasure cruiser and a Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Authors taking part in workshops include Shane Hegarty, Niamh Sharkey and Dave Rudden. Prices for events vary.
