The European mixed team championships will be played in Rimini, Italy, from March 18th to 24th. To select a team the Irish Bridge Union will hold trials, with the qualifying round on January 21st-23rd and the semi-finals and final on January 28th-30th. The venue will be chosen after the entries are received.
Trialists should hold a minimum of 30 national points or have won 16 during the last three years. Derogation from those conditions may be granted by the international committee to suitable players. Entries, including a fee of £200 per team, should reach, before January 6th - for the Northern Ireland Bridge Union: Dr A. Hill, 161 Moss Road, Lambeg, Lisburn, Co Antrim; or, for the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland: Mrs K. Downes, 8 Orchardstown Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.
The Rimini event is open to any Irish team willing to go at their own expense provided their entry is approved by the IBU.
CBAI national masters, pairs championship, in Greystones Centre, Co Wicklow: 1, B. and F. O'Farrell; 2, C. Pippet, J. Moran; 3, Alex and Ann Montwill. Sessional winners: A. M. Horan, H. DowlingLong; P. O'Neill, P. Meeehan.
The Waterford Millennium Congress will be held in Jury's Hotel from January 7th to 9th. The mixed pairs will be played on Friday (7.30 p.m.); the major and intermediate B two-session pairs on Saturday (1.30 p.m.); and the two-session teams on Sunday (1 p.m.).
Open pairs will be run throughout, plus novice open pairs on Sunday (7 p.m.). At close of play on Saturday there will be a social. A reception will be held on Sunday (11 a.m.). The special rate at the venue (051-832111) is: two nights B/B plus one dinner, sharing, £68. Entries: Peggy Holden (051-855770).
The open team championship for the Wigoder Cup will be decided over two sessions in the Regent, 25 Waterloo Road, Dublin, on January 3rd (2 p.m.). Entries: Maurice Quinn (01-8450508).
The Dublin North festival will take place in the Great Southern Hotel, Dublin Airport, on January 14th-16th. Brochures: Margaret Kilbride (01-8401593).
The Irish Bridge Journal, excellent value at £8 for six issues, may be ordered from Una Walsh (091-526502), 41 Friarshill, Galway.
Irish bridge holidays - Caribbean cruise, January 16th-31st; South Africa, April 16th-30th; Tunisia, May 14th-28th. Details: Barry Hogsett (012857853). Lanzarote, Canary Islands, March 30th-April 6th. Details: Diane Greenwood (0801849-433395).