AT LEAST two of this weekend’s main events will require viewing from behind closed fingers on the couch – the crucial Ireland v France World Cup play-off and the X Factor contest on UTV and TV3.
Both the match and the television talent show featuring Irish hopefuls, Lucan twins John and Edward, known collectively as Jedward, kick off at 8pm. Most people will no doubt be more concerned about the collective talent on the pitch at Croke Park.
A Garda traffic plan is in place for the match and gardaí have advised patrons travelling to the stadium to use public transport where possible.
Tomorrow, Croke Park will play host to the Ireland v Australia rugby fixture at 3pm.
Other events at the weekend include Art Fair 09 at the RDS Main Hall in Ballsbridge, Dublin, and the Off the Rails fashion event at the adjacent RDS Simmonscourt.
Christmas on Ice also opens at the RDS this weekend, with hourly skating sessions from 10.50am to 10.30pm.
In the “lovely girls” category, the annual Irish Farmers Journal Queen of the Land festival, hosted by Offaly Macra Na Feirme, takes place in Tullamore this weekend.
The contestants will be interviewed on stage at the Court Hotel at 9.15pm today and the winner will be announced at 11.45pm tomorrow.
In Co Tipperary, the Cashel Arts Festival – now in its seventh year – opened yesterday and continues until November 22nd.
Today’s events include the annual church choirs competition at 2pm, and a “not to be missed” concert by Anúna at 8.15pm at St John the Baptist Cathedral, John Street.
In Castlebar, Co Mayo, Steve Earle is likely to lift the roof off the Royal Theatre tomorrow. Doors open at 7.30pm and the gig will be followed by dancing with Declan Nerney. Earle is currently touring his Townes album – which, he says, may be “one of the best records I’ve ever made”.
He brings the show to Derry and Dublin next week.
On the weather front, the outlook for the weekend is bleak. Met Éireann forecasts very wet weather for the rest of the weekend and early next week. It is likely to become milder towards the end of next week.
ELAINE EDWARDS