Saturday August 31 promises to be a memorable day of cultural celebration as a huge Gathering Ireland event hits Rathowen, Co. Westmeath. The Rathowen Gathering intends to provide wall-to-wall entertainment with a traditional Irish flavour. Best of all? It's completely free.

An all-encompassing festival, the Gathering will see Irish trad music emanate from the outdoor street stage, while seanchais and sean-nos will keep the songs flowing in the town's bars. Two-time Hennessy Award-winner Dermot Healy is scheduled to make an appearance, as are rising stars Late Night Manicans. There'll also be a pop-up cinema screening Martin McDonagh's Academy Award-winning short film Six Shooter and critically-acclaimed short Give Up Yer Aul Sins.

For a full programme of events, visit [link]therathowengathering.com[/link]