What's on in Meath
WEDNESDAY 2nd JULY KELLS - Official opening of Kells Summer Festival, Heritage Centre, 6pm with the town"s Silver Band and Drumshambles Street Theatre providing outdoor entertainment, comedian Des Bishop (pictured), Headfort Arms. NAVAN - Monthly meeting of St Pio Prayer Group, St Mary"s Church, with rosary at 7.45pm and Mass, 8pm with St Pio mitten blessing following; opening of 'Standing in the Way of Control", exhibition of photoworks by artists Peter Richards and Martina Corry in the Solstice, 7.30pm (continuing until 26th July). UGHTYNEILL - 25th annual Crossroads Ceilí organised by local Cairde Rince Ceili na hEireann, with music by the Tara Céilí Band, 9pm (outdoors, weather permitting). THURSDAY 3rd JULY BELLEWSTOWN - Three day July race festival begins, Bellewstown Hill Racecourse. KELLS - 'Inspiring Moments" photographic exhibition by Navan VTOS students Colm Duffy, Brian Walsh and Sinead Clarke, Heritage Centre, 7.30pm; award-winning soprano Celine Byrne is accompanied by Dearbhla Collins in a programme of operatic and light opera favourites, with wine reception, Headfort House, 8pm. KILLYON - Whist drive, GAA Hall, 8.30pm, continues every Thursday. TRIM - Monthly meeting of Meath Writers Circle, Trim Castle Hotel, 7.30pm. FRIDAY 4th JULY CURRAHA - Parish Council Race Night, Swan"s Lounge, ten races including auction race, 8.30pm. KELLS - Festival of Flowers, St Columba"s Church, 10am to 7.30pm (also Saturday and from 2pm on Sunday, with closing Service, 7pm. OLDCASTLE - Le Cheile Annual Fashion Show, Ruby Room, Oldcastle House Hotel, tickets from hotel and Kraft Kaffee; pub quiz in aid of Niall Mellon Township charity, Caffrey"s Bar, 10pm. TRIM - Opening of Knightsbridge Village by Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, 10.45am; Launch of new album by DJ Johnny Pluse and vocalist Billy FayRay, McCormack"s, Castle Street. SATURDAY 5th JULY FORE - Friends of Ferguson Heritage Tractor Club, Virginia, visit Fore for a circuit run from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. KILSKYRE - Cemetery Devotions, 7.30pm. NAVAN - Don Baker and Gerry Tully in concert, Solstice Arts Centre, 8pm; workshops for adults 'The Stones Within" for four weeks, with a photographic workshop with Tim Durham also beginning, Solstice; Wogan and Fox family collection for Cappagh Hospital, Shopping Centre and town streets. SLANE AND BEAUPARC - Tarahumara collection at parish churches, also Sunday. SUNDAY 6TH JULY DROGHEDA - Wolfe Tones concert in aid of Frank"s Country Cottage, Donore, restoration fund, 8.30pm. DRUMREE - Fr Des O"Riordan SDB celebrates 40th anniversary of ordination, St Martin"s Church, Culmullen, 10.30am, followed by refeshments in Culmulllen Hall. LOUGHCREW - Annual St Oliver Plunkett Mass in the Loughcrew Gardens grounds, 3pm, with Bishop Michael Smith and co-celebrants. TRIM - Myths and Legends cards launch in the Tourism Office/Ramparts Cafe, 3.30pm by Noel French. MONDAY 7th JULY CASTLETOWN-KP - Annual meeting of ICA Guild in the community centre, 8pm, as well as Guild recruitment night. TUESDAY 8th JULY NAVAN - Information meeting on UCD/Distance Learning, offering a diploma or degree course for mature students in rural development, suitable for those unable to attend university full-time, Ardboyne Hotel, 8pm. WEDNESDAY 9th JULY DULEEK - Protected Structures information seminar at Annesbrook, 7.15pm; booking/further information from the County Council Heritage Office, (046) 909 7406. DUNSHAUGHLIN - Meeting to examine establishing a historical society, parish centre (behind church), 8.30pm. LAYTOWN - Official opening of the Jimmy Tully Pedestrian Bridge, opposite railway station, 12 noon. TARA - Opening of annual lectures with Mary O"Donnell, Irish World Academy of Music, UL, speaking on 'Thomas Moore and his Irish Melodies", Visitor Centre, 8pm. THURSDAY 10th JULY ATHBOY - Nigel Connell in concert, with guests Liam Lawton and Mary Duff, and 14 piece live orchestra, Old Darnley Lodge Hotel. KELLS - Late opening at Kells Recycling Centre, Loyd Business Park throughout the summer until 7pm. SATURDAY 12th JULY BALLINLOUGH - Cemetery Devotions, 7.30pm. KILDALKEY - Car Boot Sale in aid of Kildalkey Parish Community Centre Refurbishment, Centre car park, 10am to 2pm. NAVAN - Journey through the Boyne Valley begins at An Tobar, 9.15 am led by Martin Dier. SUNDAY 13th JULY OLDCASTLE - Golf Classic in aid of Niall Mellon Township charity at the Crover House Hotel - details from the hotel. SKRYNE - Cemetery Devotions, 11am, with blessing of the graves on the Hill of Tara, 7pm. WEDNESDAY 16th JULY TARA - 'The History of the Harp as an Irish Symbol", a talk by Teresa O"Donnell, Royal Irish Academy of Music in the Visitor Centre, 8pm. SATURDAY 19th JULY OLDCASTLE - Barbecue, Boolies Hotel, 6-8pm for children and adults from 9pm to late, in aid of the Niall Mellon Township Charity.