Festivals

Folkfest Killarney

8 to 10 July: Folkfest Killarney features three days of music from the best of Irish musicians. Christy Moore headlines Folkfest 2016, signalling a return to his roots having recorded the famous Ride On album in Killarney in July 1986. Musical geniuses The Waterboys are the Sunday night headliners. One of Ireland’s leading bands since the 1980s and renowned for their extraordinary music, this is one show not to be missed. Damien Dempsey will be the man taking to the stage on Friday night. For the full lineup of acts and ticket information, see www.folkfestkillarney.com

Fleadh na Mumhan

12 to 17 July: Fleadh na Mumhan is an annual Irish traditional music festival incorporating music, song, dance, competitions, concerts, a céili and singing sessions. Taking place every year, this festival has competitions in music, singing, dancing and comhra as well as plenty of activity around the town during the six-day event. Qualifiers in this year’s fleadh will go on to the All-Ireland Fleadh na hÉireann, held in Ennis, Co Clare, in August. For more information, see www.munsterfleadh.ie

Galway International Arts Festival

11 to 24 July: The Galway International Arts Festival features a packed lineup of theatre, dance, music, visual art, discussion and debate, including acts such as Imelda May and The Villagers. Visit www.giaf.ie for more.

Music

Lisa Hannigan

9 July: Lisa Hannigan performs in Old St Mary’s Church in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, at 9pm. She is performing as part of the Clonmel Junction festival. Tickets for the show cost €25. Visit www.junctionfestival.com

Summer school

10-16 July: The 30th South Sligo Summer School of Traditional Music, Song and Dance takes place in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, from Sunday 10 to Saturday 16 July 2016. Activities range from céilís and concerts to workshops, classes, talks, CD launches, practice sessions and lots more. www.sssschool.org

Comedy

Foil, Arm and Hog

09 July: Ireland’s most popular comedy trio Foil, Arms and Hog bring their brand new rip-roaring show SkiddlyWup, to Dun Laoghaire’s Pavilion Theatre this July. With over 4m hits on YouTube, a run of exclusive videos on Will Ferrell’s comedy site Funny or Die, not to mention an endorsement from Rowan Atkinson, audiences can rest assured that their funny bones will not merely be tickled but positively annihilated with the group’s bizarre brand of comedy. Tickets range from €14 to €16. For more information, see www.ticketmaster.ie

Dancing diary

Connacht

Galway: Ballinasloe, Shearwater Hotel, Sun 10th July, Robert Mizzell

Galway: Dunmore, PJs, Fri 8th July, Gerry Guthrie

Leinster

Dublin: Dublin, Red Cow, Thurs 7th July, Robert Mizzell

Carlow: Bagnelstown, Bagnelstown CC, Sat 9th July, Cupla

Meath: Navan, Ardboyne Hotel, Mon 11th July, Declan Nerney

Kilkenny: Pilltown, Pilltown GAA Complex, Sun 10th July, Teddy & Cathal Barry

Westmeath: Moate, The Well, Thurs 7th July, Patrick O’Sullivan, Sat 9th July, Barry Kirwan, Sun 10th July, Ger Long

Munster

Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, Fri 8th July, Robert Mizzell

Limerick: Caherconlish, Millenium Centre, Fri 8th July, Michael Collins

Limerick: Kilmallock, Bulgaden Castle, Wed 13th July, Muriel O’Connor & Fran Curry

Tipperary: Thurles, The Premier Ballroom, Sun 10th July, Finbar Dennehy

Tipperary: Ballina, Roundhill, Sat 9th July, Unity, Sun 10th July, Upfront

Tipperary: Newport, Aherns, Sat 9th July, Eddie Keogh

Ulster

Cavan: Cavan, Hotel Kilmore, Sat 9th July, Robert Mizzell

Donegal: Bundoran, Allingham Arms, Sat 9th July, Michael English, Sun 10th July, Mike Denver

Down: Newry, Mourne Country, Sat 9th July, Declan Nerney

Louth: Carlingford, Four Seasons, Sun 10th July, Gerry Guthrie

Monaghan: Monaghan, Four Seasons Hotel, Sun 10th July, Michael English

Monaghan: Castleblayney, Glencarn Hotel, Fri 8th July, Patrick Feeney

Tyrone: Moy, The Ryandale, Sat 9th July, Ritchie Remo

Derry: Coleraine, Bushtown Hotel, Mon 11th July, Johnny Brady

Donegal: Letterkenny, Josies Country Tavern, Fri 8th July, Declan Nerney