"The Secret Garden was what Mary called it when she was thinking of it. She liked the name, and she liked still more the feeling that when its beautiful old walls shut her in and no one knew where she was. It seemed almost like being shut out of the world in some fairy place." The Secret Garden - Francis Hodgson Burnett.

It's time to explore our own Secret Garden... Dublin's Iveagh Gardens were landscaped in 1865 as part of the International Exhibition. The creation of the Gardens aimed "to afford the people of Dublin and its neighbourhood national amusement."

143 years later, the Dublin Fringe Festival 2008 will be affording the people of Dublin and beyond both national and international amusement on a scale never seen before in this beautiful hidden corner of Dublin.

Gardens will host the Hennessy Spielgeltent for the Dublin leg of its annual European jaunt with an entertainment schedule that is both eclectic and exciting.

Even though a new entrance has opened on Hatch Street in recent years, this magnificent park remains unknown territory for many Dubliners. After spells at St George's Dock and Wolfe Tone Square, the Hennessy Spiegeltent will show the Gardens off in spectacular visual and sonic styles. And that's not all...

"In the gardens, we can include a second tent for theatre and cabaret performances and for the artists' club, which has long been a dream of ours," reveals Programme Director Jennifer Jennings. "We can also colour the already stunning environment with art installations and surprises."

"A lot of people don't even know the Iveagh Gardens exists, that's why we have called it The Secret Garden. I think it's going to make for great days and nights out relaxing with family and friends, surrounded by worldclass entertainment, good food and a gorgeous environment."

In a world saturated with music festivals and a never-ending treadmill of gigs and tours, the Fringe more than lives up to its name and offers something far more challenging and unique. Concerts are ten-a-penny these days, so the Fringe flips the script and invites the artists to do the scheduling, curating their own nights and allowing spontaneity and fun to flourish.

There are also some marvellous mavericks visiting the tent, such as Mark E. Smith and Fugiya and Miyagi. Both are involved in radically different types of music, but share an uncompromising musical vision and determined attitude.

Mark E Smith's everchanging post-punk collective have just released no less than their 27th studio album, Imperial Wax Solvent. Live, they're sensational. "By wide consensus of anybody with half a music taste, The Fall are the best band ever to grace the face of this earth."

As Mark E Smith himself said these words, perhaps one should take that with a large grain of salt, but the legendary Mancunian has a point.

The late and great John Peel adored this band and reserved a special section for them alone in his sprawling record collection. Mark E Smith's profile is strong as ever with the publication of his autobiography Renegade - The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith. There are few introductions in modern music as direct and spine-tingling as, "Good Evening...We are The Fall."

This year's Hennessy Spiegeltent line up documents the evolution of contemporary electronic music, from The Sugarhil Gang, the creators of the very first chart hip-hop hit, to the dubstep pioneers of tomorrow. Indeed, the legendary Trojan Sound System will provide a timely reminder of the very beginnings of the dubstep genre.

Another Fringe tradition is letting the artist take their own show by the horns and turn it into something spectacular. Camille O'Sullivan won the Best Spiegeltent Show award at last year's Fringe and this year she presents a sequel with The Cat's Miaow Part II.

And that's only the beginning... Duke Special will present his own self-styled Sil ouett e Ol d Time Myst ery R adio Show, 3epkano will collaborate with Donal Dineen for a sense-shattering amalganation of sounds and visuals in the El ect ric Pic nic Palace, while Cathy Davey will explore the darkside with Songs that Scare Chil dren (but in a very beautiful way).

The aptly named Psycho Fest will feature some of Dublin's most fabulous freaks in the shapes of the Mighty Stef, the Things, Humanzi and the The Dagger Lees (formerly Stagger Lee). On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Jimmy Cake, Republic of Loose, David Turpin and Pony Club amongst others will be offering their own personal musical homage to Oscar Wilde in Wil de On.

Add in the Royal Irish Academy of Music's 22-piece jazz ensemble, the return of the Beat 'n' Blow for a big BRASS OFF , Karen Egan and the sensational show La Clique, along with the Vertical Rhythm Club, Maria Tecce and Afternoon Tea Dances, and you've got a groundbreaking schedule the likes of which the Iveagh Gardens has never seen in its history.

This sense of wonder will be further deepened and enhanced through a thrilling bill of fun, fare and entertainment on offer at Fringe '08. Highlights in the smaller Bosco tent include the extraordinary anti-clown Red Bast ard,the always charming Amy G and the family friendly theatre shows Chronic als of a Sleepl ess Moon & Mad Mabe and the Lost Girls .

This year's Fringe activities are arguably the most important development in this hallowed green space since the commencement of a conservation and restoration scheme in the Gardens in 1995, which helped create a sense of wonder in the Gardens by restoring the maze, cascade and gorgeous fountains to their former glory. Like Mary in the Secret Garden, we'll have no intention of ever going to sleep.

Come with us to magic place The Hennessy Spiegeltent has moved to the beautiful surroundings of the Iveagh Gardens, right in the heart of the city centre. Join us for 16 days of nadulterated pleasure and passion where every night is a one off explosive experience, an event to remember. There will be music, dancing, good food and great company, including the eagerly awaited return of the hottest show in town, La Clique. We have added a second tent this year, the charming Bosco Theatre, home to even more theatre, cabaret, comedy and our exclusive festival club. Be surprised, soothed, confounded, intrigued and electrified in our very own Secret Garden.

By Eamon Sweeney