Hit the ground running in Ireland this summer - our top picks of the great events

From sports, to the arts, to the Olympics - there’s plenty for you to enjoy on your vacation to Ireland

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Locog chairman Sebastian Coe with the Olympic torch. The torch will pass through Dublin on its journey.

Photo by Telegraph

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There’s a great deal happening in Ireland to see and do this year. So why would you want to have your holiday anywhere else? Here’s a look at some of the biggest events happening across the Irish Sea in 2012 which might be well worth a look if you planning a holiday any time soon.

VOLVO OCEAN RACE, GALWAY
June 30-July 8

Last time this maritime event hit the West of Ireland in 2009, it attracted more than half a million visitors to the city to see the boats taking part in this round-the-world race during a two-week stopover in Ireland.

This time around it promises to be an even bigger affair as the race is scheduled to actually finish in Galway in July. As you're reading this, some of the world's most elite sailors are already out there at sea battling against the elements and the waves after starting out on their journey last October from Alicante in Spain. On their trip, they will take in Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya and Auckland before heading on to Brazil, around Cape Horn and on to Miami, Lisbon and the Bay of Biscay.

But is lucky Galway that has the grand finale to this fine exhibition of ocean going sailing. And with global television audience of some 1.3 billion tuning to see which boat actually crosses the finishing line first, then Galway city is definitely the place to be this summer, if you can make it.

For all the details, go to: www.galwayvolvooceanrace.com.

OLYMPIC TORCH, DUBLIN
June 8

OK, we know the torch will be making it way all around Britain this year before arriving at the Olympic Stadium in East London for the start of the London 2012 Games in August, but why not celebrate the fact that it is passing through a bit of Dublin on its journey. You may even get a sense of the atmosphere and building occasion that is affecting many in the UK capital and around Britain just now as we brace ourselves to Let The Games Begin.

The torch is due to spend seven days being carried around the North of Ireland, but thanks to a special dispensation, it is being allowed to make a quick diversion south in the name of peace. The only rule is that no Irish politicians will be allowed to grab hold of the torch as some of vote-grabbing statement – so something of a relief there!

Once the torch arrives in Dublin, the relay is expected to begin at the Garden of Remembrance in the city before heading down O'Connell Street, into Sheriff Street before crossing over the River Liffey via the Samuel Beckett bridge, pass the Irish parliament buildings and on towards Harold's Cross. Then it doubles back towards St Stephen's Green and finally arrives at Merrion Square.

For all the details, go to: www.olympicsport.ie.

NOTRE DAME -v- NAVY, DUBLIN
September 1

Two of the biggest names in American college football, Notre Dame (known as the Fighting Irish) and the US Naval Academy will be slugging it out in the Irish capital. The two teams are known for their sporting rivalry and this years marks the second occasion that they have taken their game to Ireland.

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