It's a crucial weekend for provincial Irish rugby which is set to dominate the weekend's events, but for non-sporting fans a talk on Turner, a Sopranos star and a collage on Europe all await.
In the Heineken Cup tonight, Ulster and Glasgow Warriors are set to square off at Ravenhill at 8pm.
Tomorrow, Leinster face the Scarlets at the RDS at 6pm, the fixture is a sell out and Connacht travel to London play Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop (1.30pm). Munster is the last province in action over the weekend, they take on Edinburgh at Murrayfield at 12.45pm on Sunday.
Tickets are still available for the final event of the arts-based mental health festival First Fortnight. Featuring rising stars of the Dublin music scene, We Cut Corners and Le Galaxie the gig is at the Button Factory in Dubin tomorrow at 8pm (entry €12).
Earlier in the day, Sopranos star Joey Pantoliano will facilitate a discussion after a screening of his documentary on bipolar disordar at the Sugar Club (3pm, entry €8). The other main festival event, Pat Kinevane's play Silent at the Smock Abbey Theatre is sold out. Firstfortnight.ie
After the presidency visit of EU commissioners this week, the aptly titled Circus Europe exhibition opens the Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery in Co Clare tomorrow. It features large collages by Dutch artist Machteld van Buren looking at the struggle for survival in European countries. Dutch and Irish poets have also interpreted the images. Ennistymoncourthousegallery.blogspot.ie
For those who haven't yet caught the JMW Turner annual exhibition at Dublin's National Gallery , Sunday offers a chance for an extra insight into one of the true masters of watercolour landscapes, with a free public lecture. The Papers and Pigments: Turner's Prints and Watercolours talk will be given by Ranson Davey of the gallery at 3pm. Turner's works are on view until January 31st, admission free. NationalGallery.ie
A talent show without nasty judges may offer relief the X-Factor generation this weekend as the first Cork Young Performers Festival takes place. Young people will perform dramatic scenes, comedy sketches and short plays in the Cork Arts Theatre as part of the non-competitive festival which aims to give young people the experience of going on stage with an audience. (8pm tickets €10), Corkartstheatre.com
