Festivals & Disney Villains

Bank holiday! We take at look at almost nationwide happenings and feel very festive.

Write On

Listowel Writers? Week is a fixture on the literary calendar and after forty-three years is internationally renowned for its high-calibre guests, intimate surroundings and commitment to the art of writing. While it started last Wednesday you still have plenty of time to soak up the inspiration before the closing of the festival on Sunday. Tonight the international bestseller Douglas Kennedy is speaking and tomorrow you can catch the Booker Prize nominee Donal Ryan. Interspersed among the Alison Jamesons and Jim Craces are morning rambles, talks on the writing of war, and evening film clubs. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it? Find out more here.

Bloomin? Lovely

Let them have Chelsea. The Phoenix Park’s Bloom is the highpoint in the Irish gardening calendar. Every year sees the park transformed into a riot of colour and if you want the lowdown have a read of our Interiors team assessment here. We’re looking at #Bloomfringe for some further floral fun. The Irish Times are calling this indie spin-off pop-up the ?younger, edgier cousin? to the main event with urban foraging and ?compost cookies? just some of the new things one can learn. With The Little Museum getting in on the act and gardener supremo Mark Grehan teaming up with the dynamic duo behind Frock Advisor, Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney, we think Saturday is sorted. Check out the rest of the events here.

Culture and Chips

Like culture? Like chips? Limerick’s City of Culture run continues with this quirky city festival and food carnival running along the banks of the Shannon. There’s a Spiegeltent, a banquet of frites/wedges/French fries, and music from the likes of Jack L. It’s carb heaven. Tomorrow sees a World Chip Championship and we think we want to be the judges.

Have A Laugh

The picturesque Kilkenny is home this weekend to some of Ireland and the world’s top comedic talents for the annual Sky Cat’s Laugh Comedy Festival. Every nook and cranny of the midland’s capital is showcasing side-splitting talent including David O’Doherty, Karl Spain, Eleanor Tiernan and Des Bishop.

Angelina Jolie’s Cheekbones

The Hollywood dame makes a return to the big screen, the 3D screen too, in Disney’s live action reimagining of Sleeping Beauty with Maleficent. Jolie plays the sculpted villainess and lead role. This one doesn’t scream damsel in distress and has even inspired a recent MAC range.

Jeanne Sutton @jeannedesutun