Saturday the day to see how the garden grows

Those planning a spot of gardening this weekend should aim to get it done on Saturday.

Those planning a spot of gardening this weekend should aim to get it done on Saturday.

With Met Éireann warning that Sunday will see heavy rains and strong winds in all areas, the mostly clear skies expected tomorrow look positively inviting. So the advice is to get on those gloves and get the garden in shape for the coming summer.

On the other hand if you're not the greenfingers type then why not try any one of the numerous sporting events on nationwide this weekend.

The Eircom League hots up tonight as Bohemians take on Cork City, Drogheda United play Shamrock Rovers, UCD come up against Waterford United and Shelbourne play St Patrick's Athletic.

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Ulster take on Llanelli Scarlets at Ravenhill in the Celtic League, and tomorrow Thomond Park will rock to the sound of Munster supporters as they take on Edinburgh.

On Sunday the semi-finals of the national football league take place: Tyrone play Wexford in Portlaoise, Armagh play Mayo in Hyde Park, Derry take on Monaghan and Meath face Fermanagh - both games taking place in Clones.

Racing this weekend is at Navan on Saturday and the Curragh on Sunday.

Cork is still the European Capital of Culture and there are plenty of events to whet your appetite. Check out http://www.cork2005.ie to find out whats on.

For example, Living Landscape: Paisaje Vivois a collaboration between Irish and Catalan artists that is on display at the West Cork arts centre in Skibbereen.

If literature is your poison, then the Franco-Irish literary festival at various venues throughout the capital might prove interesting.

Those on the west coast this weekend can visit the Cuirt international festival of literature at various venues throughout Galway.

In the capital, the Dublin Australian Film Festival makes a welcome return to the Irish Film Institute this weekend and runs until April 28th.

Meanwhile in traffic news check out http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/motoring/2005/0413/452686911MOT13ROADS.htmlfor routes to avoid this weekend.