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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For all the details, go to: www.iec2012.ie.

BAVARIA CITY RACING, DUBLIN
June 3

A high octane event aimed perhaps at the petrol heads, this event from Bavarian Breweries will see Formula One cars, Super League Formula, Indy Car, Formula Two and Dakar trucks all converging on the city. Once there, they promise to put on a show that is expected to attract up to a quarter of a million spectators.

The event has been held previously in Rotterdam and in Moscow and has in the past attracted Formula One drivers from teams like Ferrari, McClaren and Renault. Ideal, maybe, for a country like Ireland which doesn't actually have a Formula One race of its own.

The route take sin key landmarks around the Irish capital, passing by the Convention Centre in the Docklands district, Custom House Quay, across Butt Bridge and on to D'Olier Street, College Green, passing by Trinity, Westmoreland Street, across O'Connell Bridge and then back to the Convention Centre.

The added bonus is that almost the whole of the circuit is open to the public. And it's all free!

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

CITY OF CULTURE, DERRY
Running throughout 2012

The city doesn't actually get the accolade of City of Culture until the start of 2013, but you can expected a whole host of events to take place in the run-up to the year itself. First, there is a cultural Olympiad which will be staged ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It includes an initiative called Peace One Day and an installation by the artist Deborah Warner.

Derry will also have its own official boat in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race as well, to mark its City of Culture status, and will also be the the official host port where it welcome the 10-string Clipper fleet in July. It is the first time that the North of Ireland has been represented in the race.

For all the details, go to: www.cityofculture2013.com.

ALL-IRELAND FLEADH, CAVAN
August 10-20

It's a hat-trick for Cavan as it hosts this 10-day festival celebrating all aspects of Irish cultural traditions, including music, song and dance. Get you accommodation booked early as the town expects an annual influx of up to 300,000 people from all over the world, most of them youngsters.

The fleadh is estimated to be worth around €40 million to Cavan and its surrounding area, but it's not all about the money. The event promises a terrific atmosphere with loads of family fun and fantastic performances.

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

TITANIC BELFAST, Belfast

The old Harland & Wolff shipyard in the city has been involved in what has been described as Europe's largest regeneration project. The result is the €8 billion Titanic Quarter – a development covering some 185 acres and involving apartments, commercial premises, hostels, restaurants and bars. Described as the “jewel in the crown” however, is the new Titanic Belfast visitor centre which has already been voted a “must see” destination in 2012 by no less than National Geographic magazine.

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