Surf, tunes and sun on Derby weekend

Summer is well upon us and the festival calendar is in full swing,  meaning there are plenty of events of all kind to keep busy.

In Bundoran, Co Donegal, the Sea Sessions surf and music festival is running all weekend. Musically, the crowd will be wowed by Paul Weller, the Fun Lovin’ Criminals, David Holmes and others while the more active among the guests can turn their hand to surfing, mountain biking, tag rugby or even power boating.

The three-day Knock Youth Festival, now in its ninth year, opens this evening. The festival features workshops on drum, dance, music and clay and pottery as well as talks from Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary, Bishop of Elphin Christy Jones and many others.

The Byrne/Perry Summer School is running in Gorey, Co Wexford from today until Sunday. The theme for this year's school is Entwined Histories II: Ireland, France and America, and will feature lectures, field trips and more.

The third annual George Brown Commemorative Weekend takes place in Inistioge, Co Kilkenny today and tomorrow. Events include lectures on the Palestinian question from speakers such as Michael Lanigan, Dr Hikmat Ajjuri and Senator David Norris as well an examination of the legacy of George Brown.

Walkers will be interested to note that the Mourne International Walking Festival runs until Sunday. With routes between 10km and 40km at both high and low level the festival suits people of all abilities.

It’s Derby weekend at the Curragh, with races and entertainment galore.

The big race, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, will see 11 horses will compete for the €1.25 million prize at 5.10pm on Sunday.

Crystal Swing are providing musical entertainment, so expect plenty of wobbly knees as punters do their best Hucklebuck

For those heading to the Curragh, it’s worth noting gardaí have warned of serious traffic restrictions in place around Newbridge and the Curragh Co Kildare tonight and tomorrow for the funeral of Lt General Dermot Earley.

He will repose at St Brigid’s Church, the Curragh Camp Co Kildare until 7pm tonight before being removed to St Conleth’s Parish Church in Newbridge at 8.30pm. The funeral mass will take place at 11am tomorrow followed by burial with full military honours at St Conleth’s Graveyard, Athgarvan Road, Newbridge.

Gardaí say they are expecting large attendances and delays on all national, secondary, routes around the Newbridge, Kildare and Naas towns and have advised people wishing to attend the funeral to allow extra time in travelling.

Weatherwise, today will be a dry with some bright or sunny periods with highs of 18 to 23 degrees Celsius.

Tomorrow will start cloudy with patches of mist and drizzle before brightening with sunny periods and temperatures between 19 and 24 degrees.

On Sunday, rain will become more widespread across the country especially in the north and west of the country. Temperatures will fall back to a more normal 17 to 21 degrees.