Reggae royalty, Ireland’s most famous comedy actress and Cork’s first ever Proms concerts are just a few of the attractions at this year’s Cork Midsummer Festival.

Pool parties, popular music and literary pursuits are all on the agenda for Munster’s first ever live-in weekender which is being launched later today.

Cork Midsummer Festival launches today for 10 days of theatre, art and family fun. Des O’Driscoll selects a few of the upcoming highlights.

Galway-born author Lisa McInerney was inspired by the Cork vernacular to write a prize-winning novel set in her adopted city, says Colette Sheridan