ALMOST AS if in competition with the wide range of events taking place across the country this weekend, Met Éireann too has a mixed offering with both rain and sun predicted over the coming days.
Bright or sunny spells interspersed with scattered showers are expected today. Some of the showers will be heavy, particularly in the west and north. It will feel cooler and fresher with moderate west to southwest breezes and highest temperatures between 16 and 19 degrees.
It will be largely dry tonight with some light showers along the west and northwest coasts.
Tomorrow should see some sunny spells but the west should see those showers in particular along the coast.
It will be somewhat cooler tomorrow with highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in moderate to fresh westerly winds.
As is to be expected for this time of year, the events diary is full with activities ranging from sport and music to military displays and sailing events taking place. Highlights include:
* Billed as the biggest celebration of Irish culture in the world, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s Fleadh Cheoil boasts pageants, marching bands, concerts and exhibitions. The fleadh takes place August 13th-22nd and will be held in Cavan Town.
See /www.fleadh2011cavan.ie for details.
* Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Tullamore National Livestock Show takes place on Sunday at the Butterfield Estate, Tullamore, Co Offaly. The showground is open to the public from 9am.
* The National Finals of the 2011 Community Games take place today and tomorrow at the Athlone Institute of Technology. Timetables are available at www.communitygames.ie
* Dublin will battle it out with Tipperary tomorrow in Croke Park for the coveted right to take on Kilkenny in this year’s All-Ireland hurling final. The semi-final throw-in is at 3.30pm.
* Dún Laoghaire’s Festival des Bateaux has a distinctly Gallic feel to it, featuring a wide variety of French themed events to coincide with the stopover of the Solitaire du Figaro race. Festivities resume today at 10am and continue tomorrow. Organisers say the town will be resplendent with fireworks, music and the sights, sounds, foods, and joie de vivre of France. A timetable of events is available from www.dlrevents.ie
* The Cork City Gaol Military Show taking place today and tomorrow in Cork city is very promising with military vehicles from all periods up to and beyond WW2. Re-enactors from various armies and eras will be in attendance displaying their uniforms, equipment and arms. The event will take place within the extensive grounds and perimeter of the gaol.
* The Kilkenny Arts Festival concludes this weekend with artists including Luka Bloom and Gemma Hayes featuring. Details are available from the festival website: www.kilkennyarts.ie
