Several different types of attractions are available for people over the Easter weekend, even though there have been closures and cancellations due to foot-and-mouth.
Bord Failte is advising people who are travelling to places or events to check with the local tourist office to confirm there have been no changes.
Festivals
The Rosscarbery Oyster Festival, Rosscarbery, Co Cork, takes place on April 14th and 15th.
The Motorcycle Union of Ireland's Youghal Trial takes place on Sunday, April 15th.
The West of Ireland Amateur Golf Open, Sligo, takes place from Friday, April 13th to Tuesday 17th. The event is organised by the Golfing Union of Ireland.
Feile na Casa Easter Festival, Ballyferriter, Co Kerry, a community festival which exhibits paintings and sculptures from local artists, has been running for the past 28 years. It is going ahead as planned from April 15th to 20th. The St Mary's of the Angels gospel choir will perform at 3 p.m on Easter Sunday at the Project, in Dublin's Temple Bar. Tickets are £10, with concessions of £6. Bookings can be made on 1850-260027.
Children's events
The National Museum on Dublin's Kildare Street, has two free children's events planned for the Easter weekend, each of which are free. The first is "Easter 1916: The Road to Independence tour", aimed at 12-year-olds and upwards. It takes place on Sunday April 15th, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The second is Art at Easter, workshop for seven- to 12-year-olds, on Saturday, April 21st, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Please reserve places at 677 7444, ext. 332, or by e-mail to bookings@museum.ie
There are drop-in activities at the National Museum, Kildare Street and Collins Barracks. The Museum is open Easter Saturday and Sunday, and is closed on Easter Monday and Good Friday.
Heritage sites and places to visit
In Dublin, several sites are open, including Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick's Cathedral, Kilmainham jail, Dublin Viking Adventure Centre. Other Dublin sites include the Book of Kells, Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, Hugh Lane Gallery and Dublin Castle. Most major gardens have reopened to the public, with the exception of those adjoining farmland. In Dublin, the Botanic Gardens, Iveagh Gardens, and the War Memorial Gardens are all open. Inland cruising, sailing, golfing, fishing, and equestrian activities are all allowed, with some restrictions, however, when land or water adjoins farmland. Hillwalking and off-road cycling are still discouraged, as restrictions are still in place in parts of the countryside.
In the west, the Ocean Alive Sea Life Centre is open in Connemara. Visitors can take a trip along Killary fjord with Sea Cruise Connemara, which sails four times daily. It is situated 1 km from Leenane.
Also open are: the Famine Museum in Strokestown, Co Roscommon; King John's Castle, Co Limerick; Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co Clare; and the Rock of Cashel, Co Tipperary.
Remaining closed are Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Killarney National Park, Wicklow Mountains National Park, and Glenveagh National Park.
Sports
Sports fans have several scheduled events to look forward to over the weekend. Horse racing resumes on April 16th. The Leopardstown Festival takes place on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th.
The Cork Easter Racing weekend has been rescheduled to April 16th and 17th, at Cork Racecourse (Mallow) Ltd, Killarney Road, Mallow, Co Cork.
The AIB Club Hurling Championship finals take place. Club finals will go ahead on Easter Monday in Croke Park. At 2.00 p.m. Ballycallan play Noamh Mhuire, Athenry, while at 3.40 p.m. Crois Ui Mhaoiliona face Raonaithe Nemo.
