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HIDDEN WEST CORKFor somethingmore offbeat, why not explore the Macroomand Dunmanway area? There's fly-fishing and summer theatre on the lakes of Gougane Barra (above), a toy-soldier factory outside Macroom, the birthplace of Sam Maguire and a forestry conservation project. Dunmanway is also offering an increasing choice of both town and country walks for visitors. www.dunmanway.ie, www.macroom.ie
SURF'S UPSurfing has given Bundoran, once the Algarve of Irish resorts, a new lease of life. At the Bundoran Surf Co, two lessons and two nights' B&B are available for ¤100. The school caters for kids and adults and offers weekend, starter andmid-week packages. Next weekend, the school hosts an improvers' weekend, which costs ¤130/140. 071-9841968, www.bundoransurfco.com
SNEEM FESTIVALBeginning tomorrow and running until Sunday, the highlight of this festival is the Paddy Power Irish National Wife-Carrying Championships, which take place on Saturday from 5.30pm to 8pm and are run over a 253m course with a water obstacle and spouse on board. 087-7936177, www. sneemfestival.com
CNOC SUAINThis restored village in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht offers residential programmes on the Irish language and culture. Day tours are available Wednesday to Friday and cost ¤35 per person. 091-555703, www.cnocsuain.com
MOON WEEKThe National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks is hosting a series of talks and exhibitions around the lunar landings, running until Saturday. Tomorrow, Thursday and Saturday, younger children can make their own solar system from 2pm to 4pm in the Discovery Den. Events are free and entry is on a first-come-first-served basis. 01-6777444, www.museum.ie
FREE CONCERTTheWil Youth Orchestra fromSwitzerland will provide a free concert in Dublin's TourismCentre on Suffolk Street today. Pieces include excerpts from Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings, Klaus Badelt's Pirates of the Caribbean and the finale from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. The performance begins at 1.30pm. 1850-230330, www.visitdublin.com