The May bank holiday weekend in Dublin's Merrion Square will see a hugely exciting and varied programme of interactive debate and discussion on sport, economics, politics, architecture, media, art, fashion and much more as well as performances of theatre, slam poetry and literary readings. John Banville, Diarmaid Ferriter, Claire Kilroy, Literary Death Match, Nathan Rabin, Michel Bauwens, Caroline Casey, Fred Pearce, Mark Little, Brian Keenan, Ed O’Loughlin, Dermot Healy, Anthony Cronin, Raffael Kemenczy, Detmar Blow, John Minihan, Valgeir Sigurðsson.

 

Vantastival is a three-day family-friendly music festival held at Dunany Estate in mid-Louth over the May bank holiday weekend (April 29 - May 1, 2011), aimed primarily at campervan, motorhome and motor scooter enthusiasts but will be a brilliant weekend for all seasoned festival-goers with live music and entertainment on three stages. It will also include a trade show, competitions and workshops focusing on the enhancement, upkeep and exhibition of campers and scooters. There will be two separate campsites, one for residential vehicles and one for scooter owners and other attendees to pitch tents. Vantastival will provide an occasion for camper and scooter owners and admirers to come together over a shared passion for their lifestyles and machines, to meet like-minded people and exchange ideas. Guaranteed live music, entertainment and craic all weekend and everyone is welcome! With a dedicated trad and folk stage, children's activities, holistic healing area and food and craft fair amongst other things, Vantastival has something to offer everyone. Performing are: Donal Dineen Wallis Bird Jamie Lawson The Cujo Family The Hot Sprockets Miracle Bell We Cut Corners Windings The Riptide Movement Bill Coleman Bipolar Empire Prairie Dawgs Sanzkrit Preacher's Son Sounds of System Breakdown Sweet Jane Beans on Toast The Barley Mob Anthony Furey and the Young Folk Catherine Dowling The Fontanels The Gandhis Louisiana Joyride The Dirty 9s The Amazing Few I'd Fight Gandhi Identity Parade Rainy Boy Sleep Von Shakes DC Tempest Adela and the Meanits The Bluestack Mountain Boys The Fallen Drakes Heroes in Hiding TKO Geriko Toysoldier The Kapitals Indica Machine Gun Baby The Casanova Wave Saving J Pressure Drop The Butterfly Graveyard Albrecht's Pencil She's a Beauty Jupiter and the Infinite The Cabin Fever Band little xs for eyes Black Svan Norabelle The Curtain Thieves Neptune City Yukina Henrietta Game Ghost Estates Fox.E and the Good Hands Reverend JM's Panic Workshop Resin Kloe Humm Cry Monster Cry Saint John the Gambler

 

Bring your own beer.

 

With David McRedmond (TV3), David Cochrane (Politics.ie), Hugh Linehan (The Irish Times) and Smari McCarthy I(IMMI) also featuring film, standup, satire and rock n roll from Paddy Cullivan and the Leviathan Arkestra with You Are Now Entering Free Dairy.

 

Peter Kay, probably the finest English comedian out there, a man who could sell out any venue for a month of 8pms. Superb.

 

 

Hosted by Paul Hayes (Beachhut PR) with Phil Campbell (former creative director EA), Dylan Collins (Gruupy), Barry O’Neill (Interactive Games Association) and Willie White (Project Arts Centre).

 

Gotta Get A Gimmick- Musical Comedy Revue. HIGH HEEL Productions presents Gotta Get a Gimmick a musical comedy entertainment that’s a bailout from the Blues. Your Dishy Diva Duo Grace Dunne and Paula Greevy-Lee, accompanied by pianist Ben Barnes, will sing a selection that includes much loved numbers from Musical Comedy Revue and Musical Theatre. "It’s a great night out not to be missed!" - Rebecca Storm.

 

The worldwide phenomenon: Ten speakers, 20 slides each and 5 minutes to blow your mind. Expect great ideas, entertaining insights and brilliantly concise explanations of everything from trees to genetics; technology to architecture.

 

The debut single from Rory and the Island, entitled "Colours" features Irish trad legend Sharon Shannon on accordion. Rory as part of the Revs has toured the world a few times over including appearances at Reading and Leeds, Oxegen, Slane Castle, Dublin Castle, Eurosonic and SXSW. The band supported the likes of Muse, Foo Fighters, The Hives, Stereophonics, Kaiser Chiefs and more.

 

 

From Gorillaz to The Vaccines, The Strokes to Lykke Li.

 

Hosted by Dylan Haskins, with Simon Kelly (Breakfast with Anglo), Niamh Hourigan (UCC), Conor Skehan (IIEA, Dublin at the Crossroads).

 

Hosted by Kathy Scott (the ireland : iceland Project) with Valgeir Sigurðsson (Bedroom Community), Bjarni Snaebjorn (The Anthill / National Assembly) Smari McCarthy (Icelandic Modern Media Initiative) and David Hayes ( Ministry of Ideas Ireland ).

 

With Mark Little (Storyful), Mary Fitzgerald (The Irish Times), Hussein Buhidma (GE11 candidate, Libyan national), Mary Lawlor (Frontline Defenders) and Ed O’Loughlin (Former war correspondent, author of Not Untrue and Not Unkind).