SEAN NÓS dancing, Viking battles and bat walks are to keep festival-goers entertained this weekend with a number of music and sporting events taking place throughout the country.
While the Rose of Tralee festival in Co Kerry and Cork v Dublin at Croke Park are the weekend’s headline acts, there is plenty more taking place across the land.
More than 250,000 people are expected to descend on Cavan for a weekend of traditional music, song and dance at the 60th annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
A set dancing céilí and sean nós dance and céilí dancing competitions are among the highlights which also include the All-Ireland Céilí Band competition tomorrow.
The Marquee in Drumlish family festival in Longford is expected to delight all ages with a parade, sumo wrestling, a golf classic and vintage display.
An Olde Fair Day in Ballinamuck today promises fun for all the family with cookery demonstrations, animal sales and music. Bread-making, butter-making and basket-weaving are just a few of the traditional skills that will be on display.
Visitors to Dublin’s Temple Bar and Wood Quay will be taken back to medieval Dublin with re-enactments and demonstrations of fighting and cooking skills.
Members of the public will also be able to listen to Viking stories and learn how Vikings traded, lived and played as part of the Dublin Viking Festival.
National Heritage Week kicks off around the country today with a number of events taking place including bat walks, lace-making demonstrations, military re-enactments, poetry readings and concerts.
In sport, the Frank Duffy memorial 10-mile road race will take place in the Phoenix Park today from 10am to 12.30pm.
Throw-in at the All-Ireland senior football semi-final between Cork and Dublin tomorrow is at 3.30pm, with motorists advised to expect delays on the M7/N7 throughout the morning. Mayo will play Tyrone in the All-Ireland MFC semi-final at 1.30pm.
Racing will take place at Ballinrobe Racecourse tomorrow with the first race at 2.45pm and the last at 5.45pm.