FROM January 19th to 21st the Dublin North bridge festival will be held at the Regency Hotel, Swords Road, Dublin, while the Tralee international congress will be at the Brandon Conference Centre.
The Dublin programme opens with gala open pairs and novice pairs on Friday night; three two session pairs championships - major, intermediate A and intermediate B plus novice on Saturday; major and intermediate two session teams starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday; open pairs throughout.
In the gala open pairs, for which entries will be accepted on the spot, along with prizes for the best three partnerships overall, there will also be awards for the best mixed, the best married couple, and for the following intermediates - women, men, mixed, and B. Tournament director is Joe Murray. Major entries: N. Dockrell (01-8401110).
In Tralee, mixed pairs will be played on Friday night. Two session major pairs (first prize is a continental holiday for two), is on Saturday, and novice pairs that night. The one session teams will start at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday. Open pairs throughout. Tournament directors: Billy Mullins, John Murray. Entries: B. Brennan (066-23617).
The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's national intermediate mixed pairs championship (Jim Fitzgerald Trophy), starting at 2 p.m., will be decided over two sessions in the Conyngham Arms Hotel, Slane, Co Meath, on January 14th. Entries: A. Timoney (049-31310).
The all-Ireland schools team championship will be staged in Galway from March 1st to 3rd. To give him time to organise qualifying beats, Dr G.M. Keaveney, 80 Dun na Mara Drive, Renmore, Galway, asks that entries be with him before January 18th.
There will be a new, under 20 interprovincial team championship in Coleraine on March 30th. The event is open to third level institutions, and to those who compete in the schools competitions. Dr Keaveney will supply the details.
The Dublin open team championship (Wigoder Cup) was won by B.J. O'Brien, T. Garvey, J. Carroll, and R. O'Keeffe. Runners up were S. Stack, R. Giddings, E. O'Riordan, and D. Terry. Third prize went to N. Toibin, G. Barton, T. Rigney, and N. Kennedy. Best second session: J. McCormack, D. Mulhall, N. Browne, and E. Martin.
The 26th Wexford congress will be held in the Talbot Hotel from February 2nd to 4th. Brochures: Mrs D. Kelly (054-33472).