IT IS a weekend that will suit culture lovers and sports fans as long as they are willing to brave the weather and attend
some of the festivals and events over the coming days. While arts events will take place in Kilkenny, Tuam, Birr and Belfast, sports fans can choose from events around the country including the Community Games in Co Westmeath, the Tour de Munster cycling event and the semi-final of the All-Ireland hurling championship in Croke Park on Sunday. Kilkenny Arts Festival continues this weekend, with classical music from the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and street theatre with Keystone Kops just some of the events taking place before the festival draws to a close tomorrow. Playwright Thomas Kilroy will be interviewed by Fintan O’Toole on the final day of the festival. There will be traditional music and contemporary dance at Kilkenny Castle from the Rex Levitates Dance Company. Festivals are also taking place in Tuam and Birr this weekend. Meanwhile, Croke Park in Dublin will play host tomorrow to the penultimate battle in this year’s All-Ireland hurling championship as Tipperary take on Munster rivals Limerick. Throw-in at headquarters is at 3.30pm. Waterford will take on Galway in the minor championship curtain-raiser at 1.30pm. Elsewhere, Dublin play Down in the All-Ireland minor football championship quarter-final at Breffni Park today at 4pm. Thousands of people are expected to descend on Athlone today and tomorrow for the finals of the Community Games, where the main events take place at the local institute of technology.
Organisers are expecting up to 14,000 people this weekend and next to come and see young people compete in events such as swimming, gymnastics, tennis, soccer and Gaelic football.