See what the Athlone River and Food Festival has to offer. Taking place from 8 to 10 September, the festival will showcase the very best local restaurants and food producers. The banks of the Shannon will come alive as it features over 50 events throughout the weekend – including dragon boat racing, raft races, canoe racing and much more. A food village will host the best local restaurants and food producers. In the evenings there will be live music acts providing free entertainment. For more information, see www.athlone.ie

Educate yourself at The Kennedy Summer School, Ireland’s leading Irish and American festival of history, culture and politics taking place from 8 to 11 September. The festival highlights the strong links between Ireland and America through a series of presentations and discussions. Run in association with the JFK Trust in New Ross, the four-day event attracts guests and members of the public from across Ireland and the US, with an interest in Irish American links. See www.kennedysummerschool.ie

Taste all that west Cork has to offer at the A Taste of West Cork food festival from 9 to 17 September. The festival showcases the rich culture and heritage of this scenic part of Ireland. The festival programme includes guest chefs doing live demonstrations with fresh locally sourced produce, daily workshops, historic and scenic walks in dramatic locations, farm tours to the artisan food producers, themed restaurant evenings, art and craft exhibitions, food tastings, music recitals, theatre evenings, starlight kayaking, whale watching and so much more. See www.ataste ofwestcork.com

Visit the Clarinbridge Festival, a three-day event taking place from 9 to 11 September, which will mark the beginning of the oyster season and showcase the very best in Irish seafood, music and craic. Being one of the longest running in Ireland, the festival will attract a unique combination of locals, international patrons and many more. Highlights of the festival include the arrival of the queen, an oyster-opening competition, best-dressed man and best-dressed lady competitions. The event kicks off on Friday night with a big band, and Saturday’s events include an oyster gala celebration. Sunday sees the ever-popular family fun day return. For more information, go to www.clarenbridge.com

Treat the children to a day out at Palmerstown House on 11 September. Bring your little ones along to experience a magical wonderland of fairies and elves in aid of a great cause: Sensational Kids charity, Kildare town. The charity’s ambassador, Tracy Piggott, will open what’s guaranteed to be a fun-filled day of activities including dress-up as a fairy/elf or superhero, a fairy door trail, treasure hunt, storytelling, sensory chill-out gardens, bouncy castles and slides, fairy crafting, a Lego play area, face painting and more. Last year’s event at the National Stud sold out early on the day and was a phenomenal success, so don’t miss out. Tickets are available on www.sensationalkids.ie CL