The 20th Waterford bridge congress will take place in Jurys Hotel from January 8th to 10th. The mixed pairs will be played on Friday (7.30 p.m.); the two-session major and intermediate B pairs on Saturday (1.30 p.m.); and the two-session teams on Sunday (1 p.m.). Open pairs will be run throughout, plus novice open pairs on Sunday (7 p.m.).
A reception will be held on Sunday (11 a.m). Tournament directors: John Murray, Pat Breslin, Jim Walsh, Jim O'Leary. Entries: Peggy Holden (051-855770).
The Anglo-Irish Bank will sponsor the all-Ireland inter-county team championship for the Burke Trophy, the final of which will be decided over three sessions in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, on March 6th-7th.
Every county and city is entitled to run a tournament to qualify at least one team. All heat winners will receive prizes.
Local organisers should note that the preliminary rounds must be completed, and the Irish Bridge Union notified, before February 19th.
The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's mixed team championship (Coen Trophy), which was to have been played on January 23rd-24th, has been postponed until May 29th-30th - in the Greystones Centre, Co Wicklow.
The Tralee international congress will be held in the Brandon Conference Centre from January 1st to 3rd. Entries: Pat Fitzgibbon (066-7139292).
The two-session open team championship for the Wigoder Cup will be played in the Regent, 25 Waterloo Road, Dublin, on New Year's Day. Entries: Seamus Dowling (01-4933390).
The new venue for the Dublin North festival (January 15th-17th) is the Great Southern Hotel, Dublin Airport. Free parking. Programmes: Mary Kelly Rogers (018450028).
The Civil Service Club runs open pairs (7.30 p.m.) on Thursdays and Saturdays at 72 Heytesbury Street, Dublin. Spare partner always available.