The Dublin North bridge festival will take place in the Regency Hotel, Whitehall, from January 16th to 18th. Gala open pairs and novice pairs will be played on Friday (7.30 p.m.). Three pairs championships - major, intermediate A and B - will be run on Saturday (2 p.m.) over two sessions, as will the major and intermediate teams on Sunday (1 p.m.), followed by the presentation of prizes at 10 p.m. Open pairs twice daily on Saturday and Sunday.
Entries will be accepted by Nora Foley at (01) 831-2964). An attractive deal is available at the venue - £55 per person sharing for two nights B/B.
The European Union team championships will be played in Salsomaggiore, Italy, from April 17th to 25th. The Irish Bridge Union will hold trials over two weekends to select open and women's squads. The first series will be at the Greystones Centre, Co Wicklow, from January 23rd to 25th, and the finals at the Regent, Waterloo Road, Dublin, from January 30th to February 1st.
The European junior championships are scheduled for Vienna in July. The IBU will hold trials in February at a venue yet to be decided.
The 28th Wexford congress will be staged in the Talbot Hotel and the Bridge Centre from February 6th to 8th. Brochures: Doris Kelly (054-33472).
The major pairs championship of the Tralee congress, held in the Brandon Hotel, was won by M. O'Shea, and N. Fitzgibbon. Runners-up were A. and E. Cleary. Third prize went to N. Hickey, and P.J. O'Dea. The intermediate winners were N. and F. Pierse. Sessional winners: E. Feerick, D. Kenny; M. Finn, P. McCarthy.
Teams: 1, Finn/McCarthy, K. Hayes, J. Russell; 2, J. Scanlan, K. Cussen, G. Clarson, D. O'Sullivan. Best Kerry: M. and A. O'Shea, G. McSweeney, M. Burke.
Mixed pairs: 1, D. Crowley, M. Fleming; 2, A. and E. Cleary; 3, J. and A. O'Reilly. Novice pairs: 1, N. Kelly, A. Woods; 2, T. and O. Ahern.