IMMERSE yourself in film at the 64th Cork Film Festival from 7 to 17 November in Cork City. The latest and best international and Irish features, documentaries and shorts will be showcased at the festival. The programme caters for schools and families, with a focus on film, mental health and specialist industry days. More than 80% of the films shown at the festival are the only opportunity that they can be seen in Ireland. Last year over 250 films were screened, with award-winning films, new discoveries and cinema classics to be shown in 2019. For more information see www.corkfilmfest.org.
ENJOY the annual Queen of the Land Festival hosted by Offaly Macra na Feirme in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore from 8 to 10 November. This annual three-day event is celebrating 55 years in existence. Young women will compete for the title of Queen of the Land based on their personality, energy, confidence, rural knowledge and eloquence. The festival aims to celebrate the talents and achievements of the young women of Macra na Feirme. Tickets start at €10 with a full weekend ticket costing €65. For more information see www.queenofthelandfestival.com.
APPRECIATE artwork, poetry, journalism, comedy and drama at the Allingham Arts Festival in Ballyshannon, County Donegal from 6 to 10 November. Festival attractions include a tribute to Donegal playwright Frank McGuinness, the Allingham Lecture delivered by journalist and activist Eamonn McCann, poetry reading led by Annemarie Ní Churreáin and comedian Kevin McAleer will share his views on mindfulness. Promising to be popular with kids are the screening of the 1973 Disney cartoon Robin Hood, the children’s writing and art awards, crafts workshops and the arts and crafts fair. Tickets start at €5. For more information see www.allinghamfestival.com.
CELEBRATE 20 years of the Cavan Craft & Food Fair on 10 November in the Kilmore Hotel, Cavan. Over 90 exhibitors will be showcasing Irish crafts and foods offering the perfect opportunity for some early and special Christmas shopping. There are new exhibitors each year to keep the fair fresh and interesting. Unique jewellery, floral arrangements, Christmas pudding, Christmas cribs, fine art or delicious jams and marmalades are just a sample of what will be on offer on the day. Admission is free and there will be free face painting for young visitors. For more information see the Cavan Craft Fair Facebook page.
INSPIRE the next generation of chefs at the Kinsale Kids Kitchen Takeover from 11 to 15 November at various locations around Kinsale. Kids will meet the people behind food, the chefs and the local producers. They will enjoy talks by nutritionists on healthy eating habits, as well as talks by industry experts on sustainability. Under supervision kids can become immersed in the buzz of a working kitchen and will work with chefs to create a menu each afternoon using ingredients from the morning. All proceeds will go to the Kinsale Youth Support Services. For more information see www.kinsale.ie.