The 71st Wexford Festival Opera programme is underway and runs until November 6.  The programme is built around the theme of “Magic & Music”  and features three main stage operas, La Tempesta, Lalla Roukh and Armida. There are also two Pocket Operas Opera beag: The Master based on the book by Colm Tóibín and The Spectre Knight by Alfred Cellier, In addition, the programme includes a new commissioned opera by Conor Mitchell, an after hours Cabaret des Artistes; and an exciting series of pop-up events. A must see is a production of Cinderella written by the 16-year-old composer Alma Elizabeth Deutscher; www.wexfordopera.com.

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is back this weekend and has something enticing for all music fans and gig lovers. From the “Jazz Music Trail” which spans over 60 Cork venues to “The Big Fringe” with a programme of free events (in Kinsale and Cork). Visiting international bands will tour through the city as part of the “Beat on the Street” throughout the weekend and will perform on the super dome stage at Emmet Place as part of “Jazz on the Plaza”. There’s also a chance to see the high octane punk rock band Naked Animals play at Coughlan’s (they draw inspiration from Prince, Talking Heads and Republic of Loose). For some stylish jazz beats, head to the terrace at Electric – this bar and restaurant has unveiled a swish new cocktail room paired with gorgeous river views and Instagrammable décor. For more great backdrops, try Sober Lane (home to the world’s greatest goujon apparently!) where there is a bespoke Guinness artwork. Finally don’t leave the city without exploring Sketch,  the Imperial Hotel Cork’s new cocktail bar. For the full programme visit www.GuinnessJazzfestival.com.

Situated in the heart of Dublin’s Liberties district, at the former Guinness Power Station, D-8TE at the Roe & Co Distillery is back. Chef Jeremy of La Cocina Cuevas is tantalising taste buds with his California-style Mexican food. Jeremy’s seasonal menu includes pork taquitos, pumpkin tamales, beef birria and tacos de hongos. Not to mention the deep fried ice cream for pudding! To enhance these flavours, Roe & Co has curated a menu of perfectly paired whiskey cocktails. La Cocina Cuevas will be in residence for the next three weekends (until Sunday, October 24, from Thursday, Oct 28 – 31 and from Thursday, November 4 to Sunday, November 7). Bookings for the restaurant pop up in the sheltered outdoor cocktail garden at D-8TE are now open at www.opentable.ie/r/roe-and-co-distillery-dublin.

Looking for inspiration for a Halloween costume? Irish online charity shop Thriftify is encouraging us to have a “green Halloween” by repurposing an outfit. Thrifify has options such as old bridal gowns, black witchy dresses and shirts which could double up as a clever zombie outfit, a corpse bride or a spooky witch! CEO Of Thriftify and climate activist Rónán ó’Dálaigh says: “We want to encourage folks to have fun with costumes but make it a sustainable holiday, by opting for a preloved garment and getting creative with it. There are thousands of items on Thriftify.ie from white shirts to black dresses to things with sequins and vintage pieces so if you think outside the box, you are sure to find something that will work for what you have in mind and you can wear consciously!” Thriftify will post you your finds in a biodegradable bag, too. www.thriftify.ie 

If you’re in Dublin, pop into The Westin which has just reopened after a multi-million investment programme and redesign by the Dublin-based architecture and interior design firm NODA. The hotel has expanded its Atrium Lounge and also created an additional space, the Library, and the addition of 19 beautifully appointed bedrooms overlooking Trinity College and Westmoreland Street.  Check out an etched brass map of Dublin city in 1830, which was commissioned and designed by ArtLoves. There are lots of  architectural drawings of the 19^th-century Bank building, as well as prints proudly displayed in The Print Room, which leads to The Banking Hall. A magnificent oil painting of the River Liffey and its surrounds, by Irish artist Paul Morrison, provides colour and texture to the overall space. A special re-opening package is from €315 per room per night including breakfast; www.thewestindublin.com.

Good news for canine friends. River Island has launched RI Dog, a new collection of dog clothes and accessories. From stylish raincoats to cosy monogram jumpers, there’s something for every kind of pooch. Forget catwalks, dog walks are where it’s at – with cute leashes, handkerchiefs and little accessories that are sure to get their tail wagging. And if #twinning is your thing, get ready to match your mini-me in little and large padded coats perfect for autumnal walks; www.riverisland.ie.

Staying in? Now TV has several highlights for Halloween including iconic films such as The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and horror classics, The Shining, Halloween and Candyman as well as family favourite haunts such as Monster Family 2, Goosebumps and Coraline, perfect for all the family over the mid-term.

An original Gerard Byrne painting worth up to €10,000 is up for grabs as part of an art raffle to support SCOOP Foundation education programmes. “The Artist on the Roof”  is valued between €8,000 – €10,000, and was painted by Byrne during the first lockdown, from the rooftop of his gallery. The funds raised from the raffle will go towards supporting SCOOP’s educational programmes for young people living in direct provision centres in Ireland and in the Bajed Kandala camp in Iraq. In advance of the raffle, which will take place online on Thursday, October 28, there is opportunity to view the artwork and purchase raffle tickets, at an event at 7pm on Wednesday, October 27 at Dig In art diner, Camden Street, Dublin 2. As part of the collaboration (which hopes to raise €35,000), there will also be an opportunity to purchase a limited run of 100 museum-quality Gerard Byrne prints. Raffle tickets are priced at €10 for one; €25 for five and €50 for 15. They will be available to purchase at the in-person events and via SCOOP’s online raffle webpage: https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/gerardbyrnescoop. For more information visit www.scoopfoundation.org/campaign/art-raffle.

Open from 9am to 4.30pm, Birr Castle Demesne has a host of Halloween activities including a special pumpkin trail. Families can also explore the Science centre, the adventure playground and the solar trail which are all included in the general admission ticket. The special midterm programme starts from Saturday, October 23 – Sunday, October 31. Do checkout the tallest treehouse in Ireland while exploring the 120 acres  www.birrcastle.com. 

Just ten minutes from Galway city centre is the new Wildlands Adventure in Moycullen (on the N59 route to Clifden). In addition to hosting (spooky) orienteering sessions for children, indoor and outdoor activities include bushcraft survival skills, archery, yoga and zip and trek sessions. Afterward exploring the grounds, have a cuppa in the new Olive Tree Kitchen restaurant which has both indoor and outdoor seating; www.wildlands.ie.

Kraken Rum’s annual Screamfest is back at the Half-Dead House – this immersive (terrifying) experience takes place on October 28 – 29 and is strictly for over 18s. Shocks, surprises and some creepy cocktails are part of the mix. The Half-Dead House is a cursed guesthouse in Camden Street where The Kraken Hunter will take groups on a tour of its spookiest corners, followed by an eerie after party with two free chilling Kraken cocktails, a creepy cocktail bar, finger food and a live DJ until 11pm. Tickets cost €10 but are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. If you dare to set foot in the spine-tingling ‘Half-Dead House’ visit Eventbrite to book your place now.