THE European bridge team championships will be played in Montecatini, Italy, from June 14th to 29th. The Irish Bridge Union will hold trials to select teams for the open and women's events.
The dates for the open sessions are: preliminary round, January 10th-12th; second round, January 24th-26th; final, January 31st February 2nd. The women's trials will be on January 10th-12th and 24th-26th. All the rounds will be at the Elm Park Golf Club, Donnybrook, Dublin, except the final of the open tournament, which will be in the Regent, Waterloo Road, Dublin. Kibitzers are welcome. Smoking is not allowed.
The Dublin North festival and the Tralee international congress will both be run from January 17th to 19th, the former in the Regency Hotel on the Swords Road and the latter in the Brandon Conference Centre.
Dublin details: gala open pairs and novice pairs on Friday (7.30 p.m.); three two session pairs championships - major, intermediate A, B/novice - on Saturday (2 p.m.); two session major and intermediate teams on Sunday (1 p.m.); open pairs twice daily on Saturday and Sunday.
In the gala open pairs, along with awards for the top three overall there will be prizes for the best in the following categories - mixed, husband/wife, 10 national points, both intermediate women and men, intermediate mixed, and B. Entries: Mrs N. Dockrell (01 840 1110).
Tralee mixed pairs on Friday (7.0 p.m.); two session major pairs, with a first prize of £400, on Saturday (2 p.m.), also that day novice pairs (7.30 p.m.); one session teams on Sunday (1.30 p.m.); open pairs throughout. Pat Fitzgibbon (066-39292) will accept entries and supply information about special rates, including an Iarnrod Eireann offer.
The final of the all Ireland schools team championship will be played in Galway from February 28th to March 2nd. A percentage of the participants in leagues will qualify for the event. The remaining teams will qualify via regional heats in January and February. Entries close on January 8th with Dr G.M. Keaveney, 80 Dun na Mara Drive, Renmore, Galway.
The Waterford congress will be held in Jurys Hotel from January 10th to 12th. Peggy Holden (051-855770) will supply accommodation details and accept entries.