Dublin Fringe Festival opens

The annual Fringe Festival has been launched in Dublin.

This year sees one of the largest programmes on offer with music, comedy and theatre.

The event, now in its 16th year, runs for just over two weeks across the city.

Festival director Roise Gowan said: "Our amazing programme kicks off on Saturday night with Macnas, who are opening the festival for us with an amazing spectacle at the National Museum in Collins Barracks at 8pm and it is free."