Something for the weekend: Five things you need to check out (24 – 26 May)

Another weekend is upon us.

Yes, of course you could sit at home all weekend and do nothing. That's completely your prerogative and good luck to you if that is what you decide, but for others looking to get up and get out, we've got you covered. Check out a sample of what's going on around the country this weekend below.

Fastnet Film Festival

Taking place in Schull, Cork, this is the 11th year of the Fastnet Film Festival, a major showcase for Irish and international short film production. It focuses on the craft of film and has gathered increasing respect and a strong reputation from local, national and international filmmakers since its inception in 2009. One of the festival's most popular events is the Long Island Cinema, the most isolated cinema in Ireland. Cinema-goers will take the 10-minute ferry ride to Long Island, followed by a two-minute walk to a local house, where an hour-long programme of short films will be shown with refreshments in the Bedroom Cinema, which seats 24 people.

Old Butter Roads Food Festival

Staying in Cork, the Old Butter Roads Food Festival takes place in O'Mahony's of Watergrasshill and celebrates the food of Cork with storytelling, talks, family fun, a producers market, food trails and a food symposium. The festival runs for a week, with different events taking place on each day. This year's festival will showcase the splendid food produce, hospitality venues and tourism and leisure activities to be found along the trails of Cork’s historical Old Butter Roads region, delivered by the members of the Old Butter Roads Food Trails network.

Féile Nasc

Féile Nasc is Dublin's first outdoor Folk and Traditional Music Festival which will take place in the beautiful setting of Marlay Park. It's on all day Saturday and the main stage will feature acts such as Liam Ó'Maonlaí, The Bonny Men, Black Bank Folk, Steo Wall, Sisterix, Róisín Chambers and Lad Lane. Families are welcome to attend Féile Nasc and activities for kids will include nature walks, face painting and yoga provided by Óga Yoga. Tickets are available here.

Rosses Walking Festival

Taking place up in the Donegal Gaeltacht, this year's theme for the Rosses Walking Festival is a celebration of the rich maritime history the Rosses enjoys. A walking, talking selection of walks for folks to slow down and enjoy the vibrant and stunning landscapes complemented by a maritime environment. This area of the Gaeltacht is renowned for its ties to the sea and all guides are local and well placed to show the walkers some coastal hidden gems. Maritime stories, poetry and traditional music, along with local seafood, round out the experience. Full details are available here.

‘PURE MAGIC Battle For The Bay’ Watersport Festival 2019

Battle for the Bay, Dublin’s free family festival, is back for its annual beach jaunt this coming weekend and it's all taking place on Dollymount Strand. This is a hugely entertaining weekend for all the family, young and old, where audiences are enthralled, entertained and captivated by kite surfers from across the world as they weave across the glittering bay. The best kite surfers from Ireland and the world will descend on the shore to showcase their spectacular skills and gravity-defying moves as they skim the water surface and compete for the coveted King or Queen of the Bay crown. On dry land there will be plenty of entertainment, with live music across three stages from bands and DJs, a beach market selling everything from vintage clothes to vinyl records, arts and crafts, jewellery, a farmers' market food village, a kids' zone with fairground rides, a big wheel, fitness classes and amazing sand sculptures by Daniel Doyle.