The West is best for the weekend action

You haven't lived until you eaten soggy chips after a swim in the rain, 'til you've climbed to the top of Croagh Patrick, 'til you've found a diamond in the rose garden in Strokestown, 'til you've got lost up some botharín on a dark night and had some wild sheep and even wilder people chasing after you . . . yes you haven't lived 'til you've been to the West.

And that's where we're off first this week, the West - the Galway Film Fleadh to be precise.

It may not be Cannes but the fleadh is a delightful festival that is still going strong in its 18th year. Promoting new and classic Irish and World cinema, this year's fleadh features an Italian season as well as the usual masterclasees and screenings.

We're going to stay in Galway too where there will be no rest for the wicked because as soon as the fleadh finishes the 29th Galway Arts Festival kicks off. Incidentally the Galway races start right after the arts festival.

Running from Monday 17th until Sunday 30th, the Galway Arts Festival is Ireland's largest annual arts festival.

This year's festival includes dance performances, theatre, spectacle, music, comedy, literature, a visual arts programme and the festival parade.

If you'd fancy somewhere a bit smaller than Galway why not try the Ballina Street & Arts Festival, which the organisers bill as Ireland's premier family-orientated festival.

Events include the pedal-cart grand prix, the town & country hoedown, the rock 'n' roll dance party bbq as well as the Michael Davitt centenary pageant.

Once you've had your fill of Ballina, make your way to Castlebar at 2pm on Sunday for the Connacht Senior Football Championship final between Mayo and Galway.

Moving south and the Munster Senior Football Championship final replay also takes place on Sunday at 3.30pm in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

In Kerry, the Killarney Summerfest will feature the country's largest-ever display of hot air balloons as well as street entertainment, children's workshops and a teddy bears picnic.

For the fans of the gee gees, racing this weekend is on at the Curragh and Sligo on Saturday and Sunday. The main event on the card is the group 1 Darley Irish Oaks at 4.10pm in the Curragh.

Met Éireann forecasts dry weather with warm sunshine all weekend so expect the going to be good.

The third and final provincial title of the weekend takes place at 4pm on Sunday, as the Dubs take on Offaly at Croke Park.

Speaking of headquarters, you could always stay at home and start saving for one of the corporate seats at next year's Six Nations rugby internationals at Croke Park. A bargain at €1,000.