What’s on this weekend?

Shannonside Winter Music Festival

Spread across 15 different venues in Bunratty and Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, more than 150 musicians will be performing sets across a range of genres, including folk, bluegrass, Cajun and acapella amid a "fleadh" style atmosphere, according to organisers.

Highlights include the Saturday festival concert in the Mill Bar in Sixmilebridge, an acoustic concert in Bunratty Castle Hotel, and a free family day on Sunday.

The festival runs until Monday, and all-access tickets cost €50 for adults or €100 for family groups.

Visit wmw.ie for more details.

Soundtracks for Superpowers

This event celebrates the works of composers Haydn and Shostakovich, It involves three concerts across three days in the city's Town Hall Theatre, a free lecture and open rehearsals.

Featured events include a rendition of Shostakovich's 7 Romances from Irish soprano Helen Kearns, performances of his string quartets by the Carducci Quartet and an examination of his relationship with long-time patron and former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin by Wolfgang Marx, senior lecturer in musicology at DCU.

Festival tickets are €55 with concession tickets available for €45.

Visit musicforgalway.ie for more details.

A Donegal Photo Album

An exhibition at the Gallery of Photography explores the musical life of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, a luminary of the traditional music scene.

An avid Gaelgóir and Gaoth Dobhair native, Ní Mhaonaigh is one of the most renowned international exponents of the unique Donegal style of fiddle playing. She has brought her skills to a global stage with band Altan, as well as performing collaborations with acts including Enya, the Chieftains and Dolly Parton. The exhibition is a precursor to the upcoming 10th annual Temple Bar Tradfest.

Visit templebartrad.com for more details.

Minevention

Minevention might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the dazzling success of previous conventions, which indulge interests and eccentricities of fans of the cult roleplay video game Minecraft, has meant it’s back with a bang in 2015.

This convention in the City North Hotel kicks off a series of three shows in Meath, Galway and Cork over the coming weeks. Gaming enthusiasts are offered the chance to peruse stalls, have a go on some of the specially installed games consoles and have their picture taken with legendary gamers and commentators.

Visit obem.ie for more details.

Leinster v Castres, European Champions Cup, RDS

A win for the high-flying Blues could see them annex top spot in a fiercely contested Pool 2 ahead of their final-day showdown away to Wasps. First, they must hurdle the challenge of a downtrodden Castres side who have yet to register a win in this year’s competition.

For Leinster fans, nothing less than a win will do. As for the red-clad hordes of Munster fans who are set to descend on Sale for their Saturday showdown with the Sharks, qualification isn't quite so clear-cut. Earlier in the day, Ulster travel to Toulon as they attempt to salvage a faltering continental campaign.

Intercounty GAA

An age-old rivalry is renewed on Sunday as the O’Byrne Cup enters the semi-final stage. Jim Gavin’s Dubs travel to Pairc Tailteann as they take on a resurgent Meath; Kildare continue their title defence against first-time semi-finalists DIT.

Elsewhere, the hurlers of Galway and Wexford enter the Walsh Cup fray in Leinster, and Clare face Tipp in an eagerly anticipated Waterford Crystal Cup contest on Sunday.