Now that our national day has become a five-day festival, it's easiest to consult the website for the most sparkling events (www.stpatricksfestival.ie). The parade is still the centrepiece in Dublin (it starts in Parnell Square at noon), but other highlights include Céilí Mór (2.30pm in Earlsfort Terrace) and tomorrow night's Skyfest 2007. Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh is the grand marshal for the parade.
Festivities in Cork kick off at 1pm with the parade. Barry's Tea also host a farmers' market in Emmet Place from 10am this morning. www.corkstpatricksfestival.com. In Limerick it's the St Patrick's Spring Fest and Limerick International Band Festival, which has been running since March 11th. Highlights include the parade itself and this afternoon's Pery Square Fair. www.limerickspringfest.com
In Co Clare, as part of Ennis International Music Festival, Liu Fang will perform at St Columba's Church tomorrow at 7pm. On Monday at Temple Gate Hotel, Niwel Tsumbu and his band perform Congolese rhumba music. (086-8055307).
"Vivre ensemble, différents" is the motto of this year's celebration of the Journée Internationale de la Francophoniewhich includes a free screening of a selection of short fiction films at the Sugar Club, Dublin 2 on Tuesday at 6.30pm (01-7088308).
The 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Romeis next Sunday and to celebrate the occasion Commissioner McCreevy and Commissioner Peter Mandelson will cut a giant birthday cake at European House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 on Friday at 12.15pm.
Vicar Street in Dublin 2 hosts the Comedy Circustonight at 8pm, with a line-up that includes Dave McSavage, Kevin Gildea and Anne Gildea. Catch Neil Delamere(Thursday) or The Drifters(Friday) at the same venue. www.vicarstreet.com. The Waterboysplay the INEC in Killarney this evening, Dublin's Point theatre tomorrow, UCH Limerick on Tuesday and the Radisson Galway on Wednesday. www.ticketmaster.ie. Sharon Shannonplays the Olympia this evening at 7:30pm.
Wexford Book Festivalstarts on Wednesday and runs until Sunday. The programme includes readings and workshops with poet Roger McGough OBE, Colm Tóibín, Billy Roche, Joseph O'Connor and Deirdre Purcell. www.wexfordbook.com.
UCD Arts Fashion Showtakes place in the Point on Friday. Student models will take to the catwalk to compete for the Model of the Year award (top prize is a contract with Assets) in a two-hour event styled by Catherine Condell and hosted by Gráinne Seoige. Ten design students will be bidding for the title of Fashion Designer of the Year.
All four provinces will be represented in the AIB All-Ireland club finalsin Croke Park this afternoon. At 2pm Crossmaglen take on Dr Crokes in football, followed at 3.40pm by the hurling final between Ballyhale Shamrocks and Loughrea. Ireland's final match of the Six Nationstakes place at 1.30pm today in Stadio Flaminio against Italy, and the Leinster schools' finalbetween Clongowes Wood College and St Michael's takes place tomorrow in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, but the tickets vanished in 20 minutes.