Germaine Greer, Jeanette Winterson and DBC Pierre – and Kells responded in kind, with pop-up bookshops appearing all over town. 046-9240055, hayfestival.com



Groove 5-6

This event, shortlisted for the best new festival in Europe award on its debut outing last year, rocks the pristine grounds of Kilruddery House in Bray,

Co Wicklow. groovefestival.ie



West Cork Literary Festival 6-12

Want to do a Hilary Mantel? Or finally get down to writing that screenplay? A week-long workshop with the inspirational combination of Bantry and books will surely help. Study poetry with Maurice Riordan, historical fiction with Mary Morrissy, scriptwriting with Abbie Spallen, writing for children with Oisín McGann, and lots more. 027-527889, westcorkmusic.ie



Earagail Arts Festival 12-26

A bilingual programme of music, visual arts, circus and theatre on the wild and unspoiled northwestern seaboard of

Co Donegal. 074-9168800,in the world, bar none. 066-7121322, roseoftralee.ie



Electric Picnic 29-31

Over the festival’s 10-year lifetime the uber-civilised rockfest at Stradbally,

Co Laois, has hosted Arcade Fire, Björk, the Sex Pistols, Sigur Rós, New Order, Sonic Youth and Robert Plant – as well as giving birth to a host of baby boutique festivals which, in their turn, have thrived. 0818-719300, electricpicnic.ie



September



Dublin Fringe Festival 5-22

This is the Fringe’s first season under the curatorship of its new director, Kris Nelson from Montreal, who has promised “unconventional ideas, building relationships across borders, and connecting audiences with great art”. Sounds good to us. 01-6706106, fringefest.com



Harvest Time Blues 5-7

Autumn time, and the living is easy; especially in Monaghan, helped along by a serving of laid-back sounds at the Market House and the marquee, as well as a