Dublin will this weekend play host to Féile na nGael, the Under-14 national festival of Hurling, Camogie and Handball, with the first games kicking off this afternoon.
The festival, which is in its 42nd year, will see 5,000 people descend on the city and county for a weekend of Gaelic games.
A parade to open the festival will take place this evening through the streets of Dublin, beginning at Croke Park and finishing at O’Connell Street. Broadcaster Michael O’Muircheartaigh will provide commentary for the event and GAA president Liam O’Neill will also be in attendance.
Up to 3,000 boys and girls under-14 are competing in events taking place all across the county with the winners of Division One and Two playing Croke Park on Saturday.
Féile na nGael spokeswoman Sinead Ryan said “a huge attraction this year was the Croke Park element.”
“Not many kids under-14 get to play Croke Park.”
The handball competitions will take place at CityWest Hotel, in what M.Ryan said will also act as a “warm-up” for when they host the World Handball Championships later this year.
Dublin GAA clubs are holding a variety of events for their host teams throughout the weekend and the festival can be followed live online on twitter at @FeileDublin2012.
“There’s been great preparation and there’s great excitement,” said Ms Ryan.