DANCE the night away at the Ballinruane Barn Dance on 26 August. Taking place in Kilmeedy, Co Limerick, there will be music, food and fun on offer at this annual event – and it’s all for a good cause as proceeds will be donated to the Garden Project at the oncology ward, Cork University Hospital. There will be live entertainment on the night from The Stars and ex-2FM DJ Mickey Mac. Food will be provided by Tally Ho’s pop-up diner, serving bacon and cabbage or a barbecue, followed by Adare Farm Foods’ ice-cream. Tickets cost €50 and this includes food and eight free drinks. For more information and booking, call 087-963 4438 or email eveleenobrien@hotmail.com.

DIVE into the history of the Boyne Valley at the Trim Salmon of Knowledge Festival, 27 August. Brought to you by Trim Tourism Network in conjunction with Race Around Ireland, this Meath festival is a non-profit event and there will be no entry charge. Race Around Ireland is a six-day event starting in Trim and finishing in Moynalty. Taking place on the day will be the Boyne Adventure Race, the start of Race Around Ireland, a re-enactment of the catching of the salmon of knowledge, kids novelty races, amusements and traditional music and dance.

EXPERIENCE all the food and flavours on offer at the Taste of Donegal Food Festival. Heralded as the biggest foodie event in the northwest, Donegal town will host 120 food exhibitors from all over Ireland and the UK from 25-27 August. There will be celebrity chef demonstrations, wine and beer masterclasses, music, a fireworks display and much more. Over 25,000 people attended last year’s event and this year an even bigger crowd is expected.

ENJOY all on offer at the Harvest Music Festival, a new event focusing specifically on country music. It will take place from 26-27 of August at two different locations, Westport House, Co Mayo, and Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. There will be 40 different acts featured across four stages at this live music extravaganza. In Westport on Saturday 26 August, Nathan Carter will headline, with Miranda Lambert as the feature act on the Sunday. In Enniskillen, the acts swap nights, with Miranda headlining on Saturday and Nathan on Sunday. A full line-up can be seen on www.aikenpromotions.com and tickets can be purchased on www.ticketmaster.ie.

IMMERSE yourself in the Irish Game and Country Fair at Birr Castle, Co Offaly on 26-27 August. As the national game fair of Ireland, it is known as a major event for those who live and work in the countryside. There will be various international competitions and displays across the weekend, including clay pigeon shooting, archery, carriage driving, fly casting, dog shows and gun competitions. In addition, there will be cooking demonstrations, trade stands and much more. The fair is part of the Great Game Fairs of Ireland brand. Admission is €5 for a child and €15 for an adult.