Glorious sunshine sets scene for a weekend of festival fun and frolics

The prospect of glorious sunshine this weekend helps kick off a summer of weekend festivals and events that extend from Baltimore to Charleville and Youghal to Cork City and Clonakilty.

Horse racing at Inchydoney, vintage cars in east Cork and an abundance of seafood in Baltimore are among some of the outdoor events.

Indoors, in Cork’s City Hall, the Paddy O’Brien-organised Over 60s talent competition reaches a climax on Sunday night. In its 36th year and with almost €4440,000 raised for the Irish Heart Foundation to date, 14 contestants from Cork City, Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Carrigaline and other centres compete in the final. Fermoy hospital nurse Vera Noonan, 61, is the youngest finalist while 75-year-old Batt Dunlea from Killeens is the oldest. Last year’s winner Marian Collins from Carrigaline is among the guest performers.