Jazz up weekend with a trip to Cork

Someone once said the better jazz gets the less people appreciate it. It’s not clear whether this theory is borne out or refuted by the popularity of Cork’s annual jazz festival.

Nevertheless, this weekend's event on the banks of the Lee is expected to draw the aficionados out in droves.

The expanded programme, which features over 1,000 musicians from 36 countries, forced the organisers into enlisting the help of more than 100 volunteers from the Cork Volunteer Centre.

Among the headlining acts are pianist Robert Glasper at the Everyman Palace Theatre tonight; Herbie Hancock and Jason Moran at the same venue tomorrow night and Mike Nielsen’s Acoustic Sound Recipes at The Granary on Sunday night.

There are no traffic restrictions but gardaí have warned motorists to expect delays in and around the streets close to the main venues.

Marathon runners eager to squeeze in some last-minute training before Monday's big race in Dublin are likely to encounter mixed weather this weekend.

Met Éireann says it will be cool, blustery and bright tomorrow and Sunday with scattered showers in some parts. Race day is likely to be cold but generally sunny and dry, according to the forecaster.

Now in its 31st year, Monday’s race boasts its largest ever field, with more than 13,000 runners scheduled to take part. The race will start on Fitzwilliam Square East at 9am and finish in Merrion Square North.

Gardaí have said there will be widespread temporary traffic diversions and changes to bus routes on the day.

Visitors to the city are being advised to park well away from the city centre and to consult websites of transport companies for route alterations.

Freakishly over-sized pumpkins, which would surely fail any reasonable vegetable dope test, have been arriving in Virginia, Co Cavan all week ahead of this weekend’s annual pumpkin festival.

The three-day event includes a children’s disco and fancy dress party in the town’s Riverfront Hotel tomorrow, and an artisan craft and food market on the Church of Ireland grounds on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Sligo town plays host to the annual three-day Sligo Live traditional music festival. This year’s event will see more than 100 events across the town, including a French and continental markets in the Stephen Street car park.

Food junkies can avail of Kilkenny’s FoodCamp event where chefs and producers will share their culinary expertise with lay folk. The one-day event takes place today in the Ormonde Hotel on Ormonde Street.