IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING...

Obey the opera

Opera in the Open, Dublin’s annual event, has returned to the Amphitheatre, Wood Quay, with a series of lunchtime concerts every Thursday during August, from 1-2pm. Catch Rita by Gaetano Donizetti on August 17, and Gianni Schicchi on August 24. dublincityartsoffice.ie

Delight in Diana

Diana – A Fashion Legacy is an exhibition at Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Co Kildare. It showcases some of Princess Diana’s (below) garments and personal effects until September 30. newbridgesilverware.com

Love literature

Mike McCormack (Man Booker Prize nominee) and Elizabeth Reapy will explore the lives of their novels Solar Bones and Red Dirt, as part of the Books@One Festival, which runs from August 1720 at various locations across the town of Louisburgh, near Westport in Co Mayo. booksatone.ie/programme

Linger with Lorna

If you go down to Wallaby Woods, Donadea, on Sunday August 20, be prepared for a great surprise, because bestselling author Lorna Byrne will host her first family fun day in aid of the Lorna Byrne Children’s Foundation. Bring a picnic and enjoy lawn games, music, animals, an obstacle course and a meet-and-greet with Lorna herself. Tickets from lornabyrne.com

Swing like it’s 1960

Up, Up and Away — Songs of the 60s will be performed in the NCH on Friday August 18 at 8pm, featuring the anthems of the 1960s, and songs made famous by the Mamas and the Papas, Lulu, Acker Bilk and Petula Clark. Featuring vocalist Katie Birtill (below). nch.ie