FESTIVAL WATCH LISDOONVARNA MATCHMAKING FESTIVAL"Hows it goin' there everybody, from Cork, New York, Dundalk, Gortahork and Glenamaddy" . . . Beginning on the last weekend of August, Sunday 31st and running for six straight weeks (now that's a festival!), the matchmaking festival is considered one of Ireland's most famous. Each weekend, has a theme, though as one of the organisers, Robert Hurley, said: "It doesnt matter where you go, therell be singing and dancing everywhere."
The festival's first week is based on horse racing. Week two is called the "country music week". The third, fourth and fifth weeks are known simply as "music weeks" and the final weekend will host the "Queen of the Burren" and the "Mr Lisdoonvarna" competitions.
Admission to the festival is free, however the Hydro hotel charges €10 to see shows and bands including the Lisdoonvarna show band. See www.matchmakerireland.com or call 065-7074005
Rory Crean
TODAY AND TOMORROW THE BEST OF THE SUMMER:
TODAY: Heritage Week events today include a talk on the Irish people transported to the Barbados by Cromwell in the 1650s, at Callan Workhouse, Co Kilkenny. There are talks on the local histories of Cabra and Phibsboro (Phibsboro LIbrary, 6.30pm, free) and Pembroke (Pembroke Library, Ballsbridge, 1.15pm, free). See www.heritageweek.ie.
Dublin's IFI cinema screens the Irish War of Independence picture Shake Hands With the Devil with James Cagney as part of its Wild Strawberries series for older cinemagoers (11am) www.ifi.ie
TOMORROW: That Petrol Emotion play the Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co Louth at 9pm. Opera in the Open (see photograph left) at the Civic Offices, Wood Quay features Rossini's Barber of Seville (1pm, free).
Heritage Week continues with events throughout the country including: a talk on Top Tourist Spots in Ireland in the Early 1900s in the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, Tulamore, Co Offaly at 8.15pm (free); and a Dragonflies and Butterflies Walk in Wexford Wildlife Reserve, North Slob, Co Wexford at 2pm (free).