The Midlands is set to become a hive of activity over the course of the next few days, with a wide variety of festivals and cultural activities across the region. Here’s a taste of just a few of the many events taking place throughout the midlands, including live music in Longford’s St. John Church, outdoor movie screenings in Birr, Vikings on the Shannon, scarecrows in Durrow, and, not forgetting, steam engines in Stradbally.

Offaly

Birr Vintage returns

From tennis, to tag rugby, yoga to food and craft markets, outdoor films to live music, there’s something for everyone at the Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival. Events run from Saturday, August 3, right throughout the week until the following Sunday, August 11.

Birr’s Ennio Morricone Tribute and Outdoor Cinema

​A tribute to the late maestro Ennio Morricone, who scored hundreds of movies, the Ennio Morricone Experience is on in Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on Saturday, August 3, at 8pm. This live concert will highlight some of his masterpieces. Tickets are €27 plus booking fees.

The brand-new Moonlit Movies series kicks off next Monday with an outdoor screening of Irish film, Intermission at the Courthouse Yard in Birr. Tickets €10.

Westmeath

Viking River Fest Athlone

Athlone is the place to be this August bank holiday weekend, with two great festivals taking place, Viking River Festival and Feile na Sionnaine. Immerse yourself in Viking culture, learn about their fascinating traditions and explore the vibrant marketplace filled with unique crafts and locally made products. It is certainly an action-packed weekend of exciting music events, activities, and entertainment for all the family. The main events commence on Friday, with the acclaimed Neil Fitzgibbon and the Kilfenora Roadshow. On Saturday, enjoy the Blossom Harp Ensemble, An Cór Lár Tire and Pádraig Pearce’s Scór Group. See the venues below.

Lakeland Sessions Festival

Westmeath’s newest music festival begins this weekend in Mullingar with The Wolfe Tones and Five headlining the eagerly awaited festival, which will take place in Blackhall.

The Wolfe Tones will play in The Bachelor Big Top Tent in Blackhall Car Park on Bank Holiday Sunday 4th August, supported by Gary O’Brien, Fieldsy, Some Ones Sons and George Murphy & The Rising Sons. 

Supporting FIVE, will be Whigfield, Rednex, Smash Hits, Baby D, and DJ Sarge. Tickets here

Laois

Catch the Scarecrows in Laois for the last time

The unique Durrow Scarecrow Festival runs through the Bank Holiday weekend, ending on August 5th, when it officially ends for good. Catch these events on Friday.

Discover the Magic of Sustainable Gardening at Dunmore Country School

A Family Stroll at Dunmore Country School during the Durrow Scarecrow Festival! This is a limited opportunity to explore a working kitchen garden with the renowned Tanguy de Toulgoët.

Date: Friday, August 2nd August Time: 10 – 11 a.m., and 12 – 1 p.m.

Hund Obedience Dog Training at the Durrow Scarecrow Festival!

Free Event – Just bring along your dog! August 3rd, from 12 to 3pm.

Location: Taking place in the Old Boys School, beside Durrow Playground

Full Steam ahead at Stradbally Steam Rally

This year marks 60 years since the Stradbally Steam Rally began. The celebration starts with a stunning Steam & Vintage Parade on August 5th, showcasing old steam engines and vintage cars. There is plenty of live music, lawnmower races, sheepdog shows, vintage road building, a food tent, and steam trains at Stradbally Woodland Railway. Even Declan Nerney will play live. Using 100% renewable fuel, (Arigna Fuel), the event’s aim is to make heritage activities eco-friendly for the future.

Longford

Niamh Bury at St John’s Church

This Friday one of Irish folk’s most exciting sensations, Niamh Bury, will perform at St John’s Church in Longford town. This is a great coup for Longford, during a time when the genre is garnering so much attention around the world. Her voice is mesmerising. Supported by Dotts O Connor, this is part of Longford’s First Fridays. First Fridays is a brand new jam-packed programme of late-night music, comedy, dance and public art on the First Friday of every month in Longford Town.

Tickets from Backstage Theatre here