The history of France will be reenacted on the streets of Cork today as the Tour de France makes its way towards the city.
The Macnas-style pageant will begin at 11 a.m. and the pre-race motorcade is expected in the city at 1.37 p.m., with the first riders due an hour later. The entertainment will continue long after the race has ended with a barbecue, music and song.
Every town and village along the stage will be celebrating for the day. The race will begin in Enniscorthy and after the cyclists have departed, there will be a concert with De Danann.
In New Ross, the next main town, the Artane Boys Band will play in the Dome at 11.30 a.m. At 9 p.m., there will be a concert with Bob Miller, Paddy Cole and his jazz band.
Glenmore will host an early breakfast for race spectators, while Piltown has been chosen by the French Agriculture Minister and his Irish counterpart, Mr Walsh, as the best place to watch the action.
Waterford has organised brass bands, other music and general street festivities to mark the passing of the tour, beginning at 10 a.m. Dungarvan will have an all-day festival in the town square.
Carrick-on-Suir, home of Sean Kelly, will be the scene of a hotspot sprint and a concert has been planned for Kelly Square after the tour has passed.
Bui Bolg will present a street spectacle in Youghal from 10.30 a.m. and the tour is expected to arrive at 12.30 p.m. Le Carnival apres le tour will continue until 3.30 p.m.
Killegh and Castlemartyr will be en fete during the day, while Midleton will complete its twinning with Mignalou Beauvoir at 3.30 p.m. The town will host a Bastille eve barbecue at 6 p.m. and a gala dance at 9 p.m.
Further information from South East Tourism's hotline on 05333232; the tourist offices in Wexford, 053-23111; Waterford, 051875823; and Carrick-on-Suir, 051640200.