ROLLERBLADING, horse racing and summer schools are on a packed menu of events happening this weekend. Summer schools include one on Irish humour at University College, Cork, starting tomorrow and running for a week. The organisers will be pleased if it turns out to be a bit of a joke.
Today sees the opening of Enniscorthy's Strawberry Fair which goes on until tomorrow week. Along with "days of fun and frolics", the organisers promise lectures on 1798 and the Famine.
Meanwhile "The Women of 98" is the theme of the Byrne Perry summer school in Gorey Co Wexford. It ends tomorrow.
Tomorrow sees the opening of the Synge Summer School at Avondale Ho se, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, by Declan Kiberd.
President Vaclav Havel's visit continues when he visits the Garden of Remembrance for a wreath laying ceremony. Just 15 minutes later he will be at the Dublin Writers' Museum for an informal buffet" at 1 a.m.
Following a civic reception at the Mansion House in the afternoon, President Havel will visit James Joyce's tower at Sandycove at 6.45 p.m. Sunday sees him visiting Newgrange before his departure in the afternoon.
Tomorrow is Derby Day at The Curragh, with Dushyantor likely to be regarded as the form horse.
The Special Olympics National Games continue today and end tomorrow. Over 700 athletes from all over Ireland are taking part. The main venue this weekend is UCD (Belfield).
The second Bikers for Breast Cancer Run, in support of the International Breast Cancer Foundation of Ireland, takes place today. Escorted by Garda outriders, over 50 bikers are expected to take part in the cavalcade style run, which is scheduled to leave the Thunderoad Cafe in Fleet Street, Dublin, at 1.30 pm. for the Arklow Bay Hotel.
Thousands of rollerbladers are expected to turn up in the Phoenix Park at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow to rollerblade for the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Monday sees the start of the week long visit to Dun Laoghaire by the USS John F. Kennedy an event which will be of interest, one way or another, to many.