ROSCOMMON HighLIGHTS

1 All Ireland and All Nations Sheep Shearing Championships,

June 2-4, Kiltoom. It’s time for our woolly friends’ annual haircut, and the experts will showcase their skills on the bank holiday weekend. Nathan Carter is due to perform on Friday night.

2 Bookworms children’s literary festival,

June 7-10, various locations in Roscommon town. A celebration of the written word for the younger readers, the programme includes theatre, storytime sessions and even a book clinic. roscommonartscentre.ie

3 Percy French Festival,

July 5-7, Castlecoote House. This summer school, which has been running since 2009, has a line-up that includes journalists Sam Smyth and Dearbhail McDonald, as well as music. percyfrench.ie

4 Douglas Hyde Conference,

July 13-15, Ballaghaderreen. This year’s conference will focus entirely on creativity. Among the contributors will be Honor Ó Brolcháin, who will speak about the 1917 election to parliament of her great-uncle, North Roscommon MP George Noble Plunkett.

5 Boyle Arts Festival,

July 20-30, various venues, Boyle. The north Roscommon town will rock to the music of Brian Kennedy, Eddi Reader and Declan O’Rourke, while Mary McEvoy (inset above) and Jon Kenny will bring their production of John B Keane’s The Successful TD to St Joseph’s Hall. boylearts.com

6 O’Carolan Harp Festival,

August 4-7, Keadue. Celebrating the 18th century harper Turlough O’Carolan, the festival attracts traditional music makers to the village for concerts, céilidh and classes. ocarolanharpfestival.ie

7 Outdoor performance of Wind in the Willows,

August 6, Strokestown House Park. Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s tale gets an airing — literally — in this outdoors performance by Chapterhouse. strokestownpark.ie

8 The Secret Village Festival,

August 11-12, Ballaghaderreen. Dubbed ‘Electric Picnic for Westies’, this smallscale festival offers all the best elements of a big-name festival — good music, craic, culture — but with none of the traffic jams or queues for the portaloos.

9 Heritage Week,

August 19-27, countywide. A full week of events highlighting and celebrating our heritage, including talks, classes and open days. heritageweek.ie

10 Strokestown Symposium

, late September, Strokestown House Park. Organised by Roscommon County Library with the Irish Heritage Trust, the theme is Women in Literature and writer Marita ConlonMcKenna is scheduled to speak.