“A 1960s sex-and-Polaroids scandal centring around an allegedly sex-crazed duchess seemed perfect for Cheltenham” observed Philip Hensher on his 1990s libretto for Powder Her Face.

The opening performance of Der Vampyr was late at night and the auditorium was transformed into a broodingly mysterious forest. The audience was riveted by the action, which was melodramatic and fast-moving.

Ireland’s top athletes and a host of top internationals will converge on Sligo next month to compete in the Nissan International Games and to inaugurate Institute of Technology Sligo’s new world-class athletics arena.