EXPERIENCE the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival from 30 August to 30 September. The month-long festival promises plenty of dancing, craic and live music from Derek Ryan, Mike Denver, Cliona Hagan and Barry Kirwan as well as All Folk’d Up, The Stunning, Hermitage Green and The Riptide Movement. The pinnacle of the month is of course meeting Ireland’s most famous matchmaker, Willie Daly, whose lucky book can help you find love. For more information, see www.matchmakerireland.com.

VISIT the 25th Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival as it returns to the Gaeltacht island from 30 August to 1 September. This year’s line-up sees yet another host of accomplished storytellers flock to one of the most renowned festivals on the storytelling calendar. The stunning scenery of the island provides the perfect backdrop for an event that celebrates Ireland’s most ancient art form. This year’s main featured tellers are Bill Harley, (USA) Ruth Kirkpatrick (Scotland), Diarmuid O’Drisceoi (Ireland) and Colum Sands (Northern Ireland). There will also be puppet shows and workshops from Dominic Moore. Other performers include Maria Gillen, Cillian Brennan and Brendan O’Sullivan. See www.capeclearstorytelling.com for more information.

APPRECIATE the beautiful seaside town of Blackrock, Co Louth from 29 August to 1 September for the Blackrock Film Festival. Overlooking Dundalk Bay and the Cooley Peninsula, this four-day festival is the perfect way to unwind before the end of the summer. There is something for all the family, and the town itself boasts great food and relaxed shopping. Highlights of the four days include an open air cinema on the beach, the showing of a 1930s classic in the 100-year-old hall and a homegrown film from Co Cavan. Visit www.visitblackrock.ie for more information.

EXPLORE Longueville House, Mallow, Co Cork on 1-2 September for their harvest lunch and walled garden tour. Organised to coincide with the annual harvest of their walled garden, the talk and taste tour includes a stroll through the extensive orchards, cider mill and on-site brandy distillery under the guidance of William O’Callaghan, the owner and Anthony Hartnett, the head gardener. An autumnal cider cocktail will greet visitors upon their arrival back at the house. William and head chef James Cullinane will then prepare a lunch of freshly harvested produce from the walled kitchen garden, washed down with Longueville House Cider. For more information, see www.longuevillehouse.ie.

ENJOY Déja Vu Donegal on Saturday 31 August. Déja Vu Motorsport is bringing another of its reunion extravaganzas to the rally land of Donegal. The event will feature Donegal rally heroes as they tour the stages that have made the Donegal International a must-do in the rally world. The 120-mile route includes Glen Atlantic Drive, Fanad and Knockalla, with the pinnacle being a trip through the Ramelton town stage. The weekend finishes with a gala dinner of entertainment and personality interviews in Jackson’s Hotel Ballybofey. The designated charity is Donegal Hospice. Registration is now open. See www.rpm-motorsport.com for more information.

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