Five arts and entertainment things to do this weekend
Get to Charleville Castle Growing in popularity each year, Castle Palooza"s attraction as an intimate two day boutique festival is quickly catching on with festival goers around Ireland and beyond. Catering for campers with more refined tastes, the festival offers not only proper toilets but hot showers, beauty care and much more. Then there is the eclectic mix of performances on each of the three stages, with acts including Tidal district, The Red Labels, The Radio, The Parlotones, The Minnikins, The Laundry Shop, The Flaws, The Dying Seconds, The Dirty Epics, The Chapters, The Black Seeds, S.O.S Robotnik Republic of Loose, Annie Minogue Band and more. Castle Palooza is taking place at Charleville Castle on Saturday and Sunday, August 2 and 3. Tickets are on sale from just €85 and, as in previous years, Castle Palooza is in aid on Charleville Castle Restoration Project Get up close to Lisa Lisa Hannigan is due to perform in the Thatch in Rahan as part of the Up Close and Personal Sessions on Monday, August 4 next. The big little Irish tour brings Lisa and her band to the Thatch where they will perform music from forthcoming album in the intimate surrounds of the Thatch. The gig promises to be one the highlights of the Up Close and Personal Sessions to date and is one of Lisa"s final shows before the exclusive Electric Picnic. Doors open at 8pm and tickets are great value at €15. Bring Monday nights alive Start the week on a high note at the Brewery Tap in Tullamore where Tony, Dominic and friends never fail to entertain. One of Tullamore"s longest running sessions, the Monday night session in the Tap offers the perfect way to beat the Monday blues. Watch Ireland"s Failte Towers Tune in to 'Fáilte Towers' to see how singer siblings Donna and Joe McCaul are getting on, as they battle it out with other Irish celebrities like rugby star Ronan O"Gara, model Andrea Roche, columnist Barry Egan to successfully run a hotel without mishap. 'Failte Towers' starts this Saturday on RTE 1 and will broadcast live nightly for 16 days. Kilbeggan Races Don"t miss the fun filled action packed Kilbeggan evening race meeting on Saturday, August 9 next. A big hit with racing fans around the country, Kilbeggan boasts wonderful facilities and entertainment not to mention the great racing. The meeting starts at 5.30pm.