Belsonic festival: Belfast, Co Antrim
With performances by The Lumineers, Nine Inch Nails and Basement Jaxx having taken place already, the ongoing, lengthy Belsonic festival isn't one to disappoint this weekend. Jake Bugg taking to the stage with his unique sound tonight marks a continuation of the impressive line-up.
Seasoned rockers Suede are on tomorrow, while Steve Angello will be blasting out his high-energy bass-infused dance beats on Sunday. For this year's festival it seems to be a simple case of go hard or go home.
All-Ireland semi-final: Croke Park, Co Dublin
It was a bitter loss for Mayo when Donegal lifted Sam Maguire at last year's All-Ireland final. Having obliterated the current champs this year at the quarter-final stage, winning by 3 goals and 7 points, Mayo now look set to return to the final once again. However, former All-Ireland winners Tyrone stand in their way.
If you haven’t already got a ticket you’ll most likely have to tune in at 3:30pm on Sunday to see who will prevail. Needless to say it promises to be edge-of-your seat stuff from start to finish.
Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival: Waterville, Co Kerry
Ostensibly, Charlie Chaplin once entered a Charlie Chaplin lookalike competition - and came third. Whether it’s fact or myth, people will pay homage to the story in Waterville at about 1pm this Sunday, where there will be a Guinness World Record attempt to gather the most amount of Charlie Chaplin lookalikes in the one place.
Comedian and star of the hit TV series Black Books, Dylan Moran, will get the festival under way tonight, and tomorrow there’s the Gala show “come on over”. A collection of classic comedy films will be screened throughout the weekend and there will also be a variety of Chaplin-themed street entertainment.
Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival: Dunmore East, Co Waterford
For fans of bluegrass, honky-tonk, blues and country music, this is the festival of the summer. Headline acts Mary Jean Lewis, daughter of Jerry Lee, and the Low Men will perform at the picturesque seaside village.
There will also be live performances by Land’s end, Well Enough Alone, Tin Box Company, The Pilgrims and the Down and Out Bluegrass Band. The best part about this one is that all but the headline gigs are free.
The Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford
A tribute to the prowess of Sean Kelly, this tour befits the status of the cycling legend. Last year more than 6,200 people saddled up for the four different spins, and 2013 is likely to be just as popular.
Tomorrow’s 12km spin is suitable for all the family (aged 8 and up). The 50km Kelly cruise is a step up but should be accessible to anybody who does a regular bit of pedalling, while the 160km Kelly Comeragh Challenge with four category one climbs has been described as “not for the faint hearted”.
In 2012 the organisers unveiled the Kelly Heritage 100km, and its popularity has seen it return this year.
Walls 400: Derry, Co Derry
On Sunday about 1,700 people are expected to be waving, Mexican style, to commemorate the fourth centennial since the construction of Derry’s city walls. Those in the mile-long wave will wear special T-shirts which, when in motion, will visually replicate the construction of the walls.
It’s a spectacle worth seeing in the flesh, but also keep a lookout for aerial photographs capturing the action.
The event is part of Derry Walls Day 2013 and marks the commencement of Walls 400, a series of celebrations to commemorate the quatercentenary of the city’s walls.
