ENJOY the Free Market Pavilion in Market Square, Castleblayney from 4-7 July. The pavilion will be installed outside of the Hope Castle Gate Lodge and this section of the street will be turned into a temporary public space. You are invited to take part in a series of free events helping the Free Market team to spark new conversations around the future of our towns. A programme of events will run throughout the day across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, coinciding with the family fun of the Muckno Mania Festival. You are encouraged to explore the exhibition, join in guided walking tours and contribute to vox pop recording sessions. Admission is free, visit www.free-market.ie for more.

CELEBRATE the northern town of Portaferry, Co Down with a walking tour available every Saturday for the summer months. Once an important shipbuilding centre, Portaferry is now a picturesque tourist destination. On this walk explore the economic and social history of the town and visit local buildings of architectural interest, for example, the Portico. Learn about Portaferry’s industrial heritage and hear stories about local people of note, for example, Rev William Steel Dickson. From Windmill Hill enjoy wonderful views over the town to Strangford Lough and beyond. Walking tours cost £15, for more information contact brigid.watson@btinternet.com

CHALLENGE yourself at the Lads on the Lake programme on Monday 1 July on Acers Lake, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. This is a great opportunity for men to get active on Leitrim’s outstanding waterways. The six-week programme will introduce participants to kayaking with a blueway challenge on completion of the programme. This programme is open to men over 18 only and will run on Mondays on Acers Lake and on Fridays on Lough Rynn, Mohill. This kayaking challenge is sure to get the blood pumping. This costs €45 per person. For more information see www.leitrimsports.ie

VISIT the PhotoIreland Festival 2019 near Temple Bar, Dublin on 4 July. This year will see the 10th edition of the festival bring an ambitious programme to Dublin. June has been dedicated to an extended educational programme with practical workshops, talks and other activities aimed at all age groups and all backgrounds. The fireworks are reserved for 4 July, when PhotoIreland Foundation will open the pop-up project entitled the Museum of Contemporary Photography of Ireland, in Dublin city centre. It will offer visitors exciting photographic shows from local and international artists, and will propose you enjoy a selection of participative events. Admission is free. Visit www.2019.photoireland.org for more.

EXPERIENCE the Kaleidoscope Festival at Russborough Estate near Blessington, Co Wicklow from 28-30 June. This three-day and three-night sleep over is Ireland’s first family camping festival. A tantalising world awaits family and friends, as the Russborough House swings open its gates for its first festival. Visitors can expect three days of high energy, full colour, entertainment over 16 stages, designed to entice and enthral all, from babes in arms to those eligible for a bus pass. Kaleidoscope heralds a new era of programming for the sophisticated taste of modern parents, discerning kids and all-knowing teens. Admission starts at €17.50 with tickets available at www.russborough.ie