Plenty of festival fun

THE recession may be biting, but Ireland remains a great country for festivals of all descriptions and there is no shortage of great events available all through the summer.

In the south east, the Wexford Art Festival opens on July 31 and runs for four days; it will be a Mecca for professional and amateur artists alike to gather to participate in a spot of painting, to engage in conversation and participate in workshops and demonstrations.

For the lonely, or for those seeking a partner in life, the Dan Paddy Andy Matchmaking Festival takes place in the rural setting at Lyreacrompane in the Stack Mountains of Kerry, starting on July 31 to kick off the August weekend in the south west.