Jam-packed weekend of events in store

Sport, fundraising, music and seasonal fare all feature in this weekend's line-up of events around the country.

Sport, fundraising, music and seasonal fare all feature in this weekend's line-up of events around the country.

Heineken Cup

A severely depleted Connacht (the province are missing 13 players) will play Biarritz in the Heineken Cup at the Galway Sportsground at 8pm tonight. Coach Eric Elwood will be hoping that youth will win out over experience.

An expectant crowd will see Munster take on a seasoned Saracens pack in tomorrow's critical Heineken Cup clash at Thomond Park at 6pm. Munster welcome back Conor Murray who missed last weekend's win over Glasgow Warriors. Murray should make it back into the starting line-up in this must-win match. irfu.ie

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Aware fundraising

Over 2,000 runners take part in the Aware Christmas 10k run each year and will be hoping to surpass the €60,000 raised last year in sponsorship, The Aware Fundraising Run takes place in Phoenix Park on Saturday 8th December and starts at 10.30am. (Registration 8-10am) aware.ie

Annual Santa Run

The annual Santa run takes place in Bray in Co Wicklow tomorrow afternoon. Participants will make their way along the Seafront and Strand Rd before finishing up on Seapoint Rd in Bray. Both the 5km run and 3km fun run/walk are AAI measured and will start at The Ocean Bar and Grill Bray Seafront at 2.30pm. Registration opens at 1pm. braylakers.ie

Andre Rieu

Dutch violinist, conductor, and composer Andre Rieu performs at The O2 tomorrow night and on Sunday. Best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra, Rieu is well-known for his energetic and festive live concerts. Doors open 6.30pm. O2.ie

National Crafts and Design Fair

If shopping for unique gift ideas is your thing, the National Crafts and Design Fair takes place at the RDS Main Hall until Sunday. More than 500 designers, artists, and craftspeople will be taking part in the country's largest celebration of crafts. nationalcraftsfair.ie

GAA Club Championship finals

On Sunday, the AIB Leinster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final takes place. Portlaoise (Laois) take on Dublin champions Ballymun Kickhams on the 30th anniversary of the clubs' previous meeting in the provincial final. Throw-in is in Mullingar at 1.45pm gaa.ie

The AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship Final will see Wexford champions Oulart the Ballagh take on Kilcormac/Killoughey (Offaly) at Nowlan Park. Throw-in is at 2pm. gaa.ie

Ballet

One of the most prestigious companies in the world, the Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet, will perform The Nutcracker at the Grand Canal Theatre, in Dublin, on Sunday. Doors open at 6:30pm for the show at 7.30pm. bordgaisenergytheatre.ie