Dates for your diary
FESTIVAL WATCH: WORLD BATON TWIRLING CHAMPIONSHIPS, LIMERICK
IF YOU hear "baton twirling championships" and think it has something to do with marching bands or riot police, think again. From today until Sunday, Limerick's University Arena will host the World Baton Twirling Championships and International Cup, extravaganzas of graceful sportsmanship involving backflips, cartwheels and spins. Think gymnastics with a baton, and you'll get the idea.
Six hundred competitors from 22 countries arrived here last Saturday, and have been preparing hard ever since. The world champions Japan are full-time athletes, while members of the Irish team practise six days a week all year round. It is a "hugely competitive sport", according to event manager Michelle Banks.
The battle for the International Cup (tickets €15) begins today and concludes tomorrow, while the World Championships (tickets €20) run from Thursday until Sunday. Tickets are available on-site and family discounts are available.
For more information, see www.btsai.ie
TODAY AND TOMORROW:WHAT'S ON AROUND IRELAND
Today: The World Twenty20 cricket qualifier will be held in Stormont stadium, Belfast, at 1pm. Ouroboros Theatre Ireland stage a performance of Brian Friel's Translations in Kilmainham Gaol at 8.00pm, Booking: 01-4535984.
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra plays an assortment of orchestral pieces at 1.05pm in the National Concert Hall.
Jose Gonzalez is in the Savoy Theatre, Cork, at 8.30pm.
RTÉ's reality TV show Fáilte Towers continues on RTÉ1 at 9.40pm.
Tomorrow: The five-day Westport outdoor music festival kicks off with busking in the town 3-5pm and onstage performances 8.30-10.30pm. Free entry. Feakle traditional music festival begins, running till the 12th, with artists such as Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill. Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show begins 6th-10th. 9am-7pm in the RDS. Tickets €20, booking: 0818-300274. High Standards with Susannah de Wrixon (left) and Jim Doherty, in the National Concert Hall. Starts 1.05pm, tickets €15.