Sports events at centre stage over holiday weekend

SPORTS FANS around the country will have plenty to cheer about over this year's Easter weekend.

Cycling, hurling, football and horse racing enthusiasts are all well served. But those who prefer other forms of entertainment need not confine themselves to Easter eggs on the couch; plenty of alternatives are available.

The Circuit of Ireland Bicycle Ride, which began yesterday, can be spotted today passing through Westport in Co Mayo before going on to Galway and Kerry. It will finish tomorrow where it began - at the Arklow Bay Hotel in Co Wicklow.

The Rás Mumhan 4-Day International Cycle Race, which tours south Kerry, also began yesterday. Today it can be seen around Cahirciveen, tomorrow at Waterville, and on Monday it will finish at Killorglin.

The annual race meeting at Fairyhouse begins this afternoon and continues until Tuesday, weather permitting. More than 30,000 people are expected to attend the four-day event, the highlight of which, the Irish Grand National, should attract the largest crowds on Monday.

Racing fans in the south of the country need not stray too far: national hunt and flat racing at Cork racecourse in Mallow begins today and will continue into the bank holiday.

Rugby fans may want to travel to Musgrave Park in Cork this evening for the match between Munster and Ulster, which kicks off at 7.30.

An abundance of fixtures should keep GAA enthusiasts happy on Easter Sunday: Limerick plays Galway in Páirc Na nGael; Offaly plays Clare in Tullamore; Kilkenny takes on Antrim at Nowlan Park; Waterford tackles Dublin in Walsh Park; Cork takes on Wexford in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Tipperary takes on Laois at Leahy Park, Cashel.

The much anticipated rescheduled clash involving football teams from Dublin and Monaghan takes place at Parnell Park, Dublin.

Walkers could do worse than join in with Tipperary GAA club Clonoulty Rossmore and the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as they pass on their charity walk and dog push. The three-day event, which started yesterday in Killarney, will pass through Kilkenny, Carlow and Athy as well as Newbridge, Gorey and Gort. Tomorrow it will travel from Clondalkin, Dublin, to Lucan and Blanchardstown.

And for a historical-insight-while-you-walk, Dublin City Council is offering a programme of walks and talks for Easter, from Tuesday to next Sunday, featuring historian and author Pat Liddy and focusing on the 1916 Rising. The walks begin at different venues every day and are free of charge. Further information is available on the council's website.

The first event on "Defeat, Captivity & Execution" gathers outside the Barge Pub, Charlemont Street, at 2pm on Tuesday. Other talks are on the Howth gun-running, the "Battle of Mount Street" and "Battleground GPO".

Young music buffs will be travelling to the INEC at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney tonight for Revolution, an under-18s event. It includes Basshunter, Bodyrox, Sunblock, Hi Tack and Booty Luv.

Music fans from another generation might prefer to wait until tomorrow and visit the same venue for Kris Kristofferson, or hold on until Monday to see country and western singer Moe Bandy.

A variety of art, theatre and children's events will be held over the Easter break. For details visit www.Ireland.com/theticket