The 30th Wexford congress will take place in the Talbot Hotel, and the Bridge Centre from February 4th to 6th. The mixed and novice pairs will be played on Friday (7.30 p.m.) the two-session major and intermediate pairs on Saturday (1.30 p.m.) and the two-session teams on Sunday (12.30 p.m.)
Open pairs will be run throughout. Entertainment will be provided on Saturday (11 p.m.) Directors: J. Murray, B. Lawlor, M. Coffey. Entries: Mrs D. Kelly (054-33472).
The changed dates and venue for the Ballina congress are February 11th-13th, in the Downhill Hotel. Brochures from Josie Cawley (096-70055). The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's national pairs championship (Lambert Cup) will be decided over two sessions at the Kilkenny Centre (Loughboy) on February 12th (1.30 p.m.) Only intermediate A players and masters with less than 30 national points may compete. Entries: headquarters (01-4929666).
A qualifying team event, which gives entry to the all-Ireland championship (Burke Trophy) will be held in the Portmarnock Club on February 8th. Two tea ms will go forward - one Dublin North, the other Fingal. Entries: Maurice Quinn (01-8450508).
All-Ireland simultaneous pairs 1999 - 1, D. Rooney, H. Rohan (Dunboyne); 2, C. and B. Doyle (Carnegie); 3, (tie), C. Hooper, M. Keeshan (Coolagad), M. Kelso, R. Heatherington (Derry volgie); 5, (ties), E. Forde, G. O'Donovan (Mandeville), E. Claffey, N. Gannon (Castlerea), K. Hammond, A. McKeown (Glasnevin), O. Barrett, B. Vaughan (Ennistymon).
Regional prizes - U. Gillespie, B. McDermott (Dublin North); J. Curran, M. O'Flynn (Dublin South); S. Humphries, R. Fitzgerald (Eastern); J. Callaghan, L. Sweeney (North Eastern); C. O'Donnell, E. Hunter (Northern); G. Irwin, R. Connell (Northern Ireland Bridge Union); T. Colleary, F. Higgins (North Midland); P. Stokes, W. Cashen (North Munster); R. Lundon, R. Mooney (North Western); J. Spratt, T. Mulcahy (South Eastern); M. Gill, the Rev J. O'Rourke (South Midland); C. Proes, J. Frost (South Munster); J. Fahy, K. Dolly (Western).
Club prizes - T. Murphy, C. Nelson (Ballina); P. McCluskey, M. Rosenberg (SMCOBA, Belfast); M. Costelloe, S. Caplice (Cahir); J. Spicer, J. Smith (Cootehill); A. Hynes, R. Knight (Shannon); P. Kiely, E. Courtney (Whitehall). The next all-Ireland simultaneous pairs tournament will be on February 9th and 10th.