Dracula pays rare visit to London, while his creator is unearthed at home

A rare first edition copy of the Victorian horror novel Dracula, by Clontarf-born writer Bram Stoker, is expected to sell for close to €10,000 at Bloomsbury Auctions in London on Thursday.

The first edition copy is particularly valuable because it belonged to novelist Graham Greene, author of The Third Man and is signed by him. Without the Greene link and signature, the book would be worth nearer €2,500 to €3,500.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD, unveiled a remarkable new exhibition in the Little Museum of Dublin that charts the life and times of Stoker. The exhibition, entitled The Life of Bram Stoker 1847--1912, will document the life and work of a writer once neglected in his hometown, but now recognised as one of the most influential Irishmen of all time. The exhibition runs until November 30.

Aldi's Irish suppliers win 12 awards

ALDI tasted success with its Irish own-brand products, as its Irish suppliers scooped 12 titles at the annual Blas na hEireann National Irish Food Awards.

Aldi's Irish suppliers have won 45 Blas na hEireann Awards since 2009, picking up more awards than the suppliers of any other retailer over the last three years. Aldi recently announced that it has tripled its annual spend on Irish products over the past five years, helping maintain over 20,000 jobs across the Irish food industry.

Gold medal-winning products included Aldi's Dry Cured Bacon Loin (supplied by Oakpark Foods), Aldi's Clontarf Irish Blended Whiskey (supplied by Castlebrands) -- and a timely winner was Aldi's Ballymore Crust Halloween Barm Brack with ring (supplied by Sean Stafford Bakery).

Aldi's O'Shea's Traditional Irish Stout, Aldi's O'Shea's Traditional Irish Ale and Aldi's Specially Selected West Cork Indulgence Toffee Yogurt won medals for the second year in a row.

"We are delighted that our Irish suppliers have again tasted national success. Our own-brand products are sourced from some of the best producers in the country and it's this commitment to providing quality Irish products at unbeatable prices that attracts new shoppers to Aldi," said group buying director Niall O'Connor.

International Bar hosts Great Hunger

THE Great Hunger by Patrick Kavanagh will be performed by Peter Duffy upstairs in the International Bar on Wicklow Street, Dublin, from tomorrow until Saturday October 27 at 1pm and 6pm.

In addition, there will be pre-show talks at 5.15pm (free with ticket) with Cormac O'Grada (Tuesday), John Waters (Wednesday), Peter McDonnell (Thursday), Una Agnew (Friday) and Vincent Woods (Saturday).

One-woman show returns to Church

AMY De Bhrun is back by popular demand in the hilarious Female of the Species at The Church (Cellar Bar), Jervis Street, Dublin this Tuesday. The comic exploration of the female species starts at 7.30pm, tickets cost €10.

Go on the fiddle at Sligo Live festival

THE annual hilarious World Air Fiddle Championships, where would-be fiddle players release their inner musician in the most unique of ways, takes place next Sunday, October 28, as part of the Sligo Live festival.

Sligo Live is getting ready to welcome an array of international artists and thousands of dedicated fans to Sligo this October bank holiday weekend.

A limited number of weekend tickets at €112 are a bargain, with such performers as Van Morrison, Joan Armatrading, Wallis Bird, Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, Bell X1, Fidil, I Draw Slow, Lau, Buille and many more. Full details: www.sligolive.ie.