Laugh

at the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, running from 2 to 6 June in Kilkenny. The festival started in 1995 and has grown from a small event comprising a handful of shows to an internationally acclaimed festival which showcases the very best in Irish and international comedy acts. The festival attracts visitors to Kilkenny city and its surrounding regions by combining world-class entertainment with the atmospheric setting of this charming city. The festival is guaranteed to be awash with comedy stars such as Jason Byrne, Neil Delamere, Rich Hall, Adam Hills, Jason Manford, and David O’Doherty, among many more. Recognised as the cultural and heritage capital of Ireland, Kilkenny blends meandering medieval streets and stunning natural scenery in a visitor experience that can be enjoyed again and again.

Explore

all Wexford has to offer at the Wexford Food and Wine Festival, which features a free open-air food producers’ market in the heart of Wexford town, with many fringe events and activities. Food producers and growers will display fresh produce ranging from breads, cakes, ice cream, seasonal fruit, including Wexford’s famed strawberries, eggs, cheese, meat and much more. To add to the festival atmosphere, a tasty side helping of family entertainment will also be provided. The festival is running from the 27 to 29 May in various venues throughout Wexford.

Challenge

yourself on the Tour de Conamara cycle this Saturday. Starting and finishing in Clifden, there is the option to choose an 80km or 140km route along what is considered to be Ireland’s most picturesque cycling route. The event takes in the Wild Atlantic Way before turning into valleys and lakelands against the backdrop of Maumturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens. The finishing stretch to Clifden passes Kylemore Abbey and Killary Harbour to cap off a great day on the bike.

Bring

the children along to the Burren Rocks Festival running from the 28 to 29 May. The festival combines outdoor activity and adventure with geology and the landscape. Get immersed in all that is the Burren – walk it, cycle it, hike it, kayak it, climb it and explore it. Discover fascinating landmarks and important geological sites all over the Burren, above ground and below. This year’s festival celebrates 40 years of Aillwee Cave with walks, talks and an exhibition of bear remains taking place on Aillwee Mountain. Sunday afternoon will see Edward bear (Aillwee’s resident brown bear) celebrating his landmark birthday with a picnic for all the family to enjoy – bring your own or pick one up at the Aillwee farm shop.

Inform

yourself at the book launch and reading by Dermot Bolger on Sunday 29 May at 3pm at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks. This reading by Dermot Bolger will mark the official launch of his new novel The Lonely Sea and the Sky. Based on a true incident in Irish history, the book is a vivid coming-of-age novel, charting the maiden voyage of a 14-year-old, Jack Roche. Having lost his father when another neutral Irish ship was sunk by a U-boat on this treacherous Lisbon route, Jack takes his father’s place to earn a seaman’s wage and feed his family.