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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The last time the event happened was 16 years ago and on that occasion they played in Croke Park. Then the Fighting Irish, helped by a good crown behind them, won 54 to 27.

The stage is now set for another influx of fans of the game – American and from everywhere else in the world – as the two teams meet for the 84th consecutive year. This time the game takes place in the city's Aviva Stadium.

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

TITANIC CENTENARY, COBH
Running throughout 2012

This year mark's 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the ill-fated ship and Cobh – at the time of the launch known as Queenstown – was its last port of call before heading out across the Atlantic and hitting the iceberg. To commemorate the anniversary, Cobh will play host to a series of events, including a commemorative ball at which dishes from the early 20th century will be served, music and entertainment; an exhibition in Cobh Museum; a national tribute on April 11 with a Irish Naval Service fleet review and a flypast by the Irish Air Corps; a vintage fair, a regatta as well as a series of concerts on Spike Island.

There will also be church services to commemorate the event and a two-day series of lectures is also being planned, as well as other events linked to the liner, including a Titanic-themed short film competition.

For all the details, go to: www.titanic100.ie.

CITY OF SCIENCE, DUBLIN
July 11-15

Ireland and its capital city has been chosen to host the prestigious EuroScience Open Forum 2012 this year. It's the world's largest science conference and takes place at Dublin's Convention Centre. More than 5,000 delegates from around the world are expected and that number will more than double if you take into account their husbands, wives and partners.

An extensive “Science in the City” programme has been planned to run alongside the formal conference schedule, allowing the public to interact with some of the visiting scientists. A particular emphasis will be placed on the young, so it's worth looking out for, if you've got inquisitive kids in tow and are in Dublin during the summer.

For all the details, go to: www.dublinscience2012.ie.

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, DUBLIN
June 11-17

For Roman Catholics, the big event this year is the 50th Eucharistic Congress which takes place at the city's RDS. The whole affair ends with Mass being celebrated on the final day in Croke Park on Sunday June 17.

It was back in 1932 that this event was last held in Ireland when the country was a different place than it is today. At that time, an estimated seven million of the faithful packed into Phoenix Park and church services were held in the open on O'Connell Street.

There's a rumour doing the rounds that Pope Benedict XVI may pay a visit, but at this stage it's only a rumour. However, even with the Pope, the city is expecting around 150,000 visitors to attend the event. They will be there not just for the main events, but also for workshops and cultural events that will be running alongside them. There will also be a dedicated youth programme.

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