From beach to stadium and from stage to track, this weekend offers a range of activities to suit all ages and interests.
Ulster take on Munster tonight in the first inter pro of the season at Belfast’s Ravenhill Stadium. Munster will be looking to eradicate memories of last year’s defeat to Ulster in the quarter-final stage of the Heineken Cup. Both sides will see front-line players coming back into the team for what promises to be a fascinating encounter. Kick off is at 7.05pm
Tomorrow sees one of the highlights of Ireland’s sporting calendar when the Group One Gain Horse Feeds Irish St Leger flat horse race is run at the Curragh. The race is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older and is run over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs.
The final Irish Classic of the season takes place at 6.05pm and if tomorrow's race in any way matches last year's excitement when Jukebox Jury and Duncan crossed the line together, punters will get a good return on the entrance fee.
Ahead of the action in Co Kildare though most punters will be turning their attention to the St Leger's sister event at Doncaster as Aidan O’Brien’s Camelot seeks to become the first horse since Nijinsky in 1970 to capture an historic Triple Crown tomorrow.
Enigmatic Canadian singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen continues his series of Irish performances at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham tonight and tomorrow night. Doors open at 4pm for the show which begins at 7:15pm.
Motoring fans will be treated the sight of some 150 supercars as they embark in convoy on a scenic road trip around Ireland this weekend, raising funds for charity.
Participants in the Cannonball Run will drive from Dublin to Belfast today, arriving at Belfast’s Titanic Centre at 5pm. They head to Galway tomorrow arriving at Shop St and Quay St in Galway city centre at 6pm. Sunday will see them take the road from Galway to Kilkenny city, arriving in the Parade at 4.30pm.
Motorists are advised to expect delays and be extra vigilant on approach.
The half marathon takes place in the Phoenix Park tomorrow, getting underway from Chesterfield Ave at 10am before finishing up on Furze Rd later in the day. Thousands are expected to participate and gate closures will be in place to facilitate the race.
Sunday will see camogie fans converge on GAA HQ. Down take on Meath in the Junior Final at midday. Galway will play Derry in the Intermediate Final at 2pm and Wexford will line-out against Cork in the senior final at 4pm. Stiles open at 11am.
A full Garda cordon will be in place from 10am until 6.30pm to allow match patrons to arrive and depart safely. Delays are likely throughout Drumcondra and on approach routes.
While last weekend's drawn matches at Croke Park fuelled much talk and debate this week, there’ll be more top-class hurling to whet the appetite for the upcoming replays with two U21 All Ireland finals being hosted at Semple Stadium on Sunday.
Roscommon take on Kildare at 5pm followed by Clare vs Kilkenny at 7pm. Extra traffic can be expected in the town before and after the event.
The Great Pink Run takes place in Dublin City centre at 2pm on Sunday and motorists are advised to avoid the city centre for the afternoon.
While Ireland’s beaches may not have seen many sunbathers in recent years, An Taisce is calling on civic-minded citizens to head to the beach to participate in this weekend’s Big Beach Clean. Come rain or shine, the event, which forms part of an International Coastal Clean Up organised by the Ocean Conservancy, is expected to attract thousands of volunteers. Groups are asked to record information about the litter they find. This information is then collected and used by the Ocean Conservancy to guide marine policy and engage people in protecting the ocean and its wildlife for future generations.
An Post Rebel Tour of Cork takes place tomorrow. A joint initiative between An Post and the Irish Sports Council, the 2012 An Post Cycle Series is aimed at encouraging people to get back on their bikes and out into their communities. The Cork event includes four different road events for cycling enthusiasts of all levels including a 10km family fun cycle. Details are available from anpost.ie.
Advertised as a weekend of political thought and discussion, the 24th Desmond Greaves summer school takes place at The Ireland Institute in Dublin over the weekend. Guest speakers include Bernadette McAliskey, Terence McDonough and Desmond Fennell. Details from greavesschool.com.