FLOAT away on fantastic melodies at the Music for Galway Festival, which is taking place from 18-20 January at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway city. For this year’s event the focus will be on compositions that were written towards the end of a composer’s life. This music festival is a popular occasion for music lovers across Ireland and brings people together each year to celebrate great song writers and their beautiful melodies. Some of the highlights include Finghin Collin who will be performing Four Pieces for Piano by Johannes Brahms. For more information or to book tickets visit www.musicforgalway.ie.

VISIT South Dublin on Ice and put your best foot forward. If you did not have the chance to pull on a pair of ice skates at Tallaght Stadium to date, there is still plenty of time to enjoy this winter activity as it is running until 20 January. It has been the centrepiece of the festival this year and has attracted many skaters both young and old and of all capabilities. You can find out more at www.southdublinonice.com.

ENJOY the great outdoors and take part in the annual Sugarloaf 10km on 19 January, which is brought to you by Irish Trail Races. This is a great way to get the new year off to a good start, the route is marked and is very easy for participants to follow. It is a timed event and there are prizes for the first and second male and female runner. Once you reach the top, you can indulge in the spectacular views that this iconic mountain offers. It is stressed that this is a running event. For more details visit www.runireland.com/events/sugar-loaf-10km-trail-run.

LAUGH out loud at the hilariously funny production of Fly Me to the Moon at the Grand Opera House, Belfast. Written by Marie Jones, who is responsible for some of the most popular plays in Ireland, she has created another must-see production. Running from 21-26 January Fly Me to the Moon tells the story of community care visitors Francis and Loretta. One of their patients, elderly man Davy, has had a great win on the horses and the two women are very tight for money. When they realise that Davy will not be around for a long time, things take an interesting turn. For ticket information see www.goh.co.uk.

EXPERIENCE Blurring the Edge, a unique ceramic exhibition running until 20 January at the Hunt Museum in Limerick city. Five of Ireland’s leading contemporary ceramicists including Mary Nagle and Mike Byrne will be showcasing their work. Gain a deeper understanding of the creation of ceramics and the thought process that is involved as each of the ceramicists in this exhibition push the boundaries of the traditional practice through their use, experimentation and fusion of form, function and texture. For more information including opening hours and admission visit www.huntmuseum.com.