THE West of Ireland congress, with a prize fund of £3,000 for the main events, will take place at the Galway Bridge Centre from March 28th to 31st.
Open pairs will be run on Friday (7.30 p.m.), and twice daily thereafter. The two session major pairs will be played on Saturday (2 p.m.), the one session mixed pairs on Sunday (7.30 p.m.) and the two session teams on Monday (10.30 a.m.). At close of play on Saturday a complimentary supper, plus music, will be provided.
Among the prizes, the major pairs champions will receive £300 and the team winners £400. In the main events there will be special awards for intermediates, subject to there being sufficient entries.
The grand prix in the open pairs will include all the sessions except the last. Major entries close on March 26th with Una Walsh (091 526502).
The Dun Laoghaire open pairs championship for the Muldoon Cup will be played on March 30th (7.15p.m.), and 31st at 2 Clarinda Park North. Entries: Barry Hogsett (01 2857853).
As next year the Ballyroan fiesta will be in a new Community Bridge Centre in Templeogue, the 21st and final one in Scoil Mhuire, Ballyboden, Co Dublin, will take place on April 4th to 5th.
The programme is: gala championship pairs and novice open pairs on Friday (7.30p.m.); one session, national novice pairs (J.J. Murphy Cup) and open pairs on Saturday (2.00p.m.); 21st anniversary, fiesta graded pairs - open, A, B and novice - on Saturday (7.30p.m.), followed by music and craic.
In the gala pairs, along with prizes down to third place, there will also be awards for the best in the following categories - women, men, mixed, A, B and local. Pre entry is essential for the gala and national pairs. Entries: Brian Healy (01-4943255).