Festival fever

Tales of the ones that got away - and tastes of the ones that didn't - will abound during the tenth Pembrokeshire Fish Week festival which takes place between 27 June and 3 July.

On offer is a great array of entertainment for all the family at various locations around the coast. Youngsters can take part in beach bush-craft lessons and rock-pool rambles, while for all the family there are boat trips, guided coastal walks, fishing lessons, plus more than 50 foodie events ranging from good-old fish 'n' chip suppers to cookery demonstrations.

Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire offers many character properties ideally located for enjoying the festival. For example, a week's rental of Banc Farm, a traditional cottage (sleeps four) overlooking Abereiddy beach is £548 starting 27 June. Visit coastalcottages.co.uk for more information and bookings.

Kinsale may be best-known as the 'gourmet capital' of Ireland but, from 11 July, the town's renowned restaurants play second-fiddle to a vast array of entertainment in the streets, harbour, churches and even boats.

The reason? This the week that the town hosts the fifth 'Kinsale Arts Festival', celebrating creativity in theatre, music, dance, art and literature (visit kinsaleartsweek.com for full details/tickets).

Irish Ferries Holidays has special offers to Kinsale right through the year. Three nights with breakfast at the four-star Trident Hotel in July is £218 per person (twin share - saving £60 each) while at the four-star Carlton Kinsale a similar break is £208 (saving £55). Prices are inclusive of return Irish Ferries Sunday-Friday cruise ferry crossing - Holyhead/Dublin or Pembroke/Rosslare - for car and passengers. For more information and bookings, visit irishferries.com.

For an unusual cultural event in August, HF Holidays is highlighting Whitby Folk Week which comprises over 600 events such as workshops, concerts, singarounds, dances, street entertainment and spontaneous fringe happenings.

Tickets for some of the above highlights are included, plus there is free time to enjoy the festival at your leisure and to explore the surrounding area with Robin Hood Bay, the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and Whitby Abbey all within easy reach.

Based at one of the company's UK Country Houses - Larpool Hall set within 14 acres of gardens and woodland on the outskirts of Whitby - the seven-night holiday, starting 22 August, costs £589 per person, twin-share, inclusive of full board accommodation, the holiday programme, transport to and from the venues, plus the services of a leader. For more information and bookings, visit hfholidays.co.uk.