What’s On

Your weekend, three ways.

CARLOW:?Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas

Bookworms will be spoilt for choice this weekend when the international literati descend on Borris House’s impossibly pretty 18th century estate. This year’s eclectic line-up of speakers include perennial rock chick Chrissie Hynde (above), film director Stephen Frears (The Queen, Dangerous Liaisons, The Snapper), Martin Amis, Simon Callow reading Seamus Heaney, plus homegrown writers Sara Baume, Danielle McLaughlin, Kevin Barry, John Banville, Joseph O?Neill and more, all waxing lyrical against the pleasing backdrop of Mount Leinster, the Blackstairs Mountains and River Barrow.

June 10-12, Borris, Co Carlow. http://festivalofwritingandideas.com

DUBLIN:?Some Like it Hot: Irish Burlesque School’s Summer Show

Play a ?Spot the Pasties? drinking game at Ireland’s biggest burlesque show – for every piece of nipple furniture, down a shot. Fortunately, there’s more on offer than an all-out flesh-fest, from vaudeville lols and high-energy Charlestons to traditional striptease – quite chaste in this day and age, with only gloves and garters being the big reveals. Once upon a time burlesque was aimed at blokes but nowadays it’s a dance-form created by women for women; these Irish Burlesque School students have ?normal? jobs and learn choreography for the craic, fitness and camaraderie. So go forth and celebrate our weird and wonderful womanhood, in all its sequin-and-feathered glory.

June 11, The Button Factory, Curved Lane, Temple Bar D2, doors 7.30pm, €15. http://www.irishburlesqueschool.com

DUBLIN:?Leonardo da Vinci’s Female Portraits

The Mona Lisa may be his most famous female subject but there are plenty more to discover at this free 45-minute talk at the National Gallery on Sunday, 3pm. Coinciding with the current exhibition?Leonardo da Vinci: Ten Drawings from the Royal Collection, which runs until July 17, this talk by art historian Jessica Fahy will pull focus on the women featured in the collection, their artistic treatment and construction. The event is gratis but pre-booking is essential.

June 12, National Gallery, Merrion Square West D2.?http://www.nationalgallery.ie