So Farmleigh, the house that hops built, has been transformed into an excellent public amenity and never more so than once a year when the Farmleigh Affair throws open the house and gardens to music lovers of all shapes and hues.

The pun in the name is apt too.

Opportunities to attend concerts with children, grandchildren or maiden aunts are few and far between and, if you want to introduce any or all of the above to the pleasures of the Terpsichorean muse, this year's affair is a mustdance.

Spread over two days next weekend, the Farmleigh Affair features acts from around the world, along with various sideshows, foodstalls, beer tents and the like. Picnics are actively encouraged. Rain gear is heartily recommended.

Sunday will feature the excellent Clube do Balanco, pioneers of the samba-rock revival, who have been shaking some serious hips both in Brazil and around the world in the last few years.

Inspired by the original masters of this fusion of samba and rock, Clube do Balanco will raise even the lowest of spirits and, judging by last year's performance from the gorgeous Joyce, Brazilian music goes down particularly well on rainy Irish summer days.

Also on Sunday, from the other end of the American continent but with the same irrepressible desire to make you dance, will be Yves Lambert and the Bebert Orchestra. For years the leader of Quebecois national folk heroes La Bottine Souriante, Lambert is larger than life and his latest group carries on the tradition of good times and great music that made "the smiling boot" a major hit at festivals around the world.

Monday's bill includes singer Dobet Gnahore, nominated for best newcomer in the BBC's World Music Awards last year, whose high-energy music reflects both the rich past and the tragic present of her native Cote d'Ivoire.

Also startling the birds in Farmleigh's gardens on Monday will be the Kocani Orchestra from Macedonia, purveyors of Balkan brass and percussion, the utterly bizarre Spooky Men's Chorale from Australia and haunting Scots-Gallic singer Julie Fowlis.

Amongst the native species on display on Sunday are Damien Rice's favourite cellist Vyvienne Long, the excellent North Strand Klezmer Band and the legendary Kilfenora Ceilidh Band. Then, on Monday, songwriter and social commentator Damien Dempsey will fly the flag for Dublin.

Taking into account the line-up, the setting and the bijoux audience (only 4,000 per day), this is as good a boutique music festival as you'll find. And best of all, thanks no doubt to comrade Ahern, the tickets are free. But demand will far outstrip supply so don't delay. Get on their website now and snaffle the last few tickets now.

>> What exactly draws Australian jazz musicians to Ireland is anyone's guess. It's not the weather but maybe it's the beer.

Whatever it is, trumpeter Paul Williamson is the latest in an illustrious line to make a home in Ireland, albeit temporarily. And his trumpet playing . . . agile and darkly melancholic, like a young Kenny Wheeler . . . is attracting much attention and getting him as much work as a jazz musician in Ireland has the right to expect.

He is joined in JJ Smyths next Sunday night by fellow a Australian on bass, Damien Evans, and saxophonist Jamie Oehlers for a concert featuring music from his new CD, appropriately named Far Way H e re (see review). With support from two major musical talents of the Irish variety in drummer Sean Carpio and pianist Greg Felton, attendance is highly recommended.