Declan McCarthy is the director of the Baltimore Fiddle Fair and is also involved in Skibbereen Arts Festival, which begins this weekend and runs until August 6.

A tribute concert for two remarkable West Cork musicians has raised almost €5,000 for charity.

There are signs now though that rural Ireland has lots of fight in it yet, writes Fergus Finlay.

Music festivals, sailing races, arts displays, and a poetry marathon are some of the events to be enjoyed this August bank holiday weekend.

The Skibbereen Arts Festival takes place this weekend and here's what is on offer in the Co Cork town.

Des O’Sullivan reports on a three day flurry of art and antique events around the country this bank holiday.

The Opening of the Skibbereen Arts Festival

As the sky dimmed over the West Cork town of Skibbereen, the smell of peat smoke was in the air.

On Skibbereen Main Street, ladies in bustles saluted each other over the heads of the crowd as a vintage Punch and Judy show got underway. Vegetable sellers and urchins argued loudly as RIC officers turned a blind eye.

Dust off your bonnets, polish those buckles, and get the horse and trap ready for a trip into the past as a West Cork town prepares to step back in time.

Ballydehob-born Tara Brandel explores personal issues in her performances, writes Ellie O’Byrne

Even bigger crowds are expected to attend this year’s Skibbereen Arts Festival as it grows in popularity with its impressive line-up of musicians, actors and artists from home and abroad.

MUSIC NEWS: Beyoncé has posted a short teaser trailer for the upcoming 50 Shades Of Grey movie on her Instagram account — although it seems fairly ironic that the singer, a key figure in the ‘Ban Bossy’ campaign for young girls, should lend her support to a film based on a book which has been criticised for its portrayal of women and overt sadomasochist themes.

Running an arts festival in these tough economic times is challenging, says Declan McCarthy, one of the organisers of the Skibbereen Arts Festival (July 25-August 2).

1|music|BUNNY WAILER

Valgeir Sigurdsson is an Icelandic composer-musician and the founder of the Bedroom Community label and collective. He is set to bring a haunting, spare set to Skibbereen Arts Festival on Aug 4.

A three-storey building housing 200 tiny works of art has been transformed into a Museum of Miniature for one week as part of Skibbereen Arts Festival.

Skibbereen festival examines the relationship between mental illness and creativity, says Richard Fitzpatrick

COMEDY genius Tommy Tiernan will stage a unique night of storytelling and comedy in one of the highlights of an arts festival in west Cork.