The Lady of the Lake Festival returns to Irvinestown after a Covid-19 enforced absence and it promises to be jam-packed full of action and entertainment for everyone.

Last held in 2019, the popular festival returns for the 43rd year and there are 10 days of events planned to suit all ages, groups, locals and tourists alike.

This year's theme is 'Back with a Big Bang' and that is surely to be the case when it gets underway on July 8.

It all kicks off on Friday, July 8 with Hugo Duncan broadcasting live for BBC Radio Ulster.

That evening will see the longest-ever reigning Lady of the Lake, Nikita Ward, relinquish her crown at the official opening from 8pm with the 2022 Ladies in Waiting arriving at 8.45pm as street entertainment keeps the crowds happy.

Any doting parents will want to enter their baby in the Bonny Baby competition on Saturday, July 8 while on Sunday the highly anticipated Lady of the Lake Donkey Derby kicks off at 2pm followed by a Family Fun Afternoon.

A walking tour of Castle Archdale and the Cross Community and Inter-denomination Service with the Community Choir on the historic White Island will also take place before music in venues throughout the town will keep people tapping their feet late into the evening.

Soccer skills competition for primary school boys gets events underway on Monday, July 11 with a disco for Tiny Tots, the festival Treasure Hunt and Old Time Singing all taking place in the evening.

The Drumharvey Pipe Band will play on Main Street on Tuesday while there will also be a funfair and games.

On Wednesday, July 13 there will be plenty to do at the traditional Fair Day at Castle Irvine Estate, Necarne.

Looking for some wool for a cosy jumper keep an eye out for the sheep shearing or if you want to see some local celebrities keep an eye on the three-wheel bicycle race.

There is also the World Sheep Dung Spitting contest, All-Ireland Potato Peeling competition, poitin making and if your horse or donkey are looking for a bit of beauty treatment they can get pedicures as well!

Vintage tractors will parade at the fair as well while the Erne Highland Dances will provide entertainment before a special Lady of the Lake Irish Dance.

Sport takes over in the evening with the 10k/5k race and the Irvinestown Community Football Soccer Challenge.

If you ever thought of yourself as an artist why not head to Mahon's Hotel for the Freedom 2 Paint event at 8pm while at 9pm the Chornobyl Children Appeal Charity Dance also takes place at the hotel.

The fancy dress dog walk gets Thursday underway at 11am followed by the Dog Show at the front of Necarne Castle.

Badminton, kayaking, and soccer are all taking place as well as the annual fancy dress parade.

At 8pm the very popular DJ Rockstar hosts the Festival Bingo on Zoom and there are sure to be big cash prizes.

Friday, July 15 sees the annual Bawnacre Summer Sports Day at 2pm.

At 7pm the Lady of the Lake Festival Friendly sees Ginger's Select take on SANDS United Enniskillen with all proceeds to Marie Curie.

The Irvinestown Community Mummers will show their moves with Fire Dancing on the Main Street and this is followed by the Festival of Lights at 10.30pm.

Trucks will parade around the town and there will be prizes for the best lit-up trucks and the mummers will lead a Torchlight Parade around the town.

The Fun Cycle Race around Lough Erne takes place on Saturday, July 16 but the main attraction will have to be the World's Hole Digging Championship.

This gives contestants the chance to see who can dig the biggest holes in half an hour and will the reigning champions Cormac Slevin be beaten.

An outdoor theatre at the Bawnacre will see Heartbreak Productions put on David Walliams's 'Awful Auntie' so the family can enjoy a picnic or lie back and relax for a top-quality open-air show.

The big event on the final day of the Lady of the Lake will be the Truck Convoy around Fermanagh.

This spectacular event brings in trucks from all over the country and they make a fine sight as they rumble over the roads.

There will be plenty of street entertainment as well during the day before the bars around Irvinestown will be full of music to wrap up what will surely be a hugely successful return of the Lady of the Lake.