BOOK: DEERHEART

A gripping ecological fairytale set in ancient Ireland, this magical adventure for younger readers comes from a pair of legendary Irish children’s book-makers, author Eoin Colfer and illustrator PJ Lynch. Three fairy shapeshifter witches guard the Creedon Stone, the source of all magic, which runs from the heart of the forest to the centre of Mother Earth. Eldest sister Scrawb can transform into a crow, Hackle into a wolf, while youngest Deerheart becomes a speckled red doe. But when humans seek to steal the Stone’s magic, Deerheart must find the courage to step forward and discover the power within herself… (Candlewick Press, out now)

FILM: COYOTE VS. ACME

It’s time for Wile E. Coyote to fight back! This live action-animation hybrid sees the famously frustrated Looney Tunes character, after decades of being injured by malfunctioning ACME products in pursuit of that pesky Road Runner, join forces with loser lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte) to take the company to court. But the scheming corporation has its own formidable lawyer, Buddy Crane (John Cena), and a bunch of dirty tricks up their sleeve – what follows is a wild, physics-defying battle for justice, filled with plenty of classic Looney Tunes mayhem, a sprinkling of wry social commentary and a lot of heart – the movie was infamously shelved as a tax write-off by another corporation, Warner Brothers, before finally seeing the day via independent distribution. It’s been well worth the wait (Cinemas nationwide)

EVENT: ANOTHER LOVE STORY

Wrapping up the summer festival season with a splash, ALS returns to Meath’s Killyon Manor for a weekend of music, conversation, film, art, wellness and good times. This year’s programme features international names like LTJ Bukem, Steffi x Virginia, Bradley Zero and Mad Professor, alongside Irish talent like Loah, Stella And The Dreaming, The Leon Stax Equation and Méabh McKenna, while DJs include Donal Dineen, Billy Scurry and R Na G’s Cian Ó Cíobháin. Beyond music, visitors can enjoy talks, live cinema (from French indie legend Vincent Moon), pottery, yoga, a trad rave and other choice experiences across the Manor grounds. As boutique events go, this remains one of the country’s most unique and delightful happenings (Killyon Manor, County Meath, August 21st to 23rd)

THEATRE: THE WATSONS

For their annual Big Show, Dublin Youth Theatre present a playful and inventive reimagining of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel, When Emma is cut off by her wealthy aunt, she returns to her sisters and the family home, where marriage is presented as their only escape from poverty and an uncertain future. But Emma faces another problem: her author has abandoned her story too. How will her life unfold, and who gets to decide? Exploring fate, free will and finding your own path, DYT’s Big Show gives young performers the chance to work with a professional creative and production team, and remains an essential showcase for an Irish cultural institution (Smock Alley, Dublin, until August 22nd)

EVENT: NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK 2026

National Heritage Week continues across Ireland until Sunday, August 23rd, with more than 2,500 events celebrating the country’s natural, built and cultural heritage. Now in its 26th year, this year’s theme, Heritage at Risk, highlights the numerous elements of Ireland’s heritage that are vulnerable or under threat; these include historic buildings, archaeological sites, natural habitats, rare species, traditional skills, folklore, language and ways of life. Events nationwide offer opportunities to explore, learn and connect with local heritage – find an event near you here, while Oliver Callan takes a deep dive below:

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