THE 11th annual Cork Mechanical, Manufacturing and Aerospace Engineering Exhibition will open at 7 p.m. tonight at the Theatre on the Bishopstown Campus. Boasting a total of over 100 stands, the exhibition is open to teachers and students. It continues tomorrow and Thursday. For group bookings, contact college lecturer Sean F O'Leary at 021-326213. The exhibition is run by the college's department of mechanical and manufacturing engineering, in conjunction with the chairman and members of the board of governors of Cork Regional Technical College. AN open day at the Racing Apprentice Centre of Education (RACE) at the Curragh House, Dublin Road, Kildare, will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Two further open days will be held on Wednesday, May 7th, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 21st, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The main criterion for acceptance on the course is weight - candidates must be less than 7 1/2 stone. Graduates start off as grooms in racing yards and many go on to become successful jockeys or have responsible positions in studs or stables both in Ireland and abroad.

AUDITIONS for the 1997 Irish Youth Choir will be held in Waterford, Dublin and Cork over the coming weeks. Copies of the Irish Youth Choir brochure with full details and an application form are available from libraries, music schools, colleges and arts centres nationwide or directly from Irish Youth Choir Office, Cumann Naisiunta na gCor, Drinan Street, Cork. Phone 021-312296.