What’s on around Ireland this weekend

Festival of Russian culture

Dublin city will celebrate the coming of spring through the Russian Cultural Festival from Saturday to Sunday, February 22nd. Across the city at different locations there will be traditional music, dance, lively performances, chess challenges, artisan food and cookery and the best of contemporary cinema through the week long festival. The Hugh Lane Gallery will host events in film and a lecture in Russian art. The National Concert Hall will hold two concerts of Russian classical music. The Moscow Puppet Theatre will present The Tale of Tsar Saltan in Russian schools and clubs across the country.

[ www.russianfestival.ie ]

Hurling league returns

The opening games of the hurling league take place this weekend. In the top division, Cork host the All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in Pairc Uí Rinn on Saturday at 7pm, while the Sunday games are between Dublin and Tipperary at Parnell Park, and Galway and Clare at Pearse Stadium (both 2pm).

Tickets purchased at the grounds cost €15. Student and OAPs €10. Under 16s admitted free of charge.

Football

The All-Ireland club football semi-finals also take place this weekend, with Galway’s Corofin and Dublin’s St Vincent’s clashing on Valentine’s Day at O’Connor Park in Tullamore at 2pm. On Sunday, Austin Stacks of Kerry meeting Slaughtneil of Derry in Portlaoise at 4pm.

Chinese New Year festival

It is time to celebrate the year of the sheep in 2015.The 14 day festival is beginning in Dublin on Saturday, February 14th. A number of Chinese artists will hold events in libraries on Saturday. Lunar feasts will take place around the city. Qingsong Wang, one of China's most highly regarded contemporary artists, will hold an exhibition Everything is Possible from Sunday from 10am at the Gallery of Photography in Dublin. His photographs are large scale are give a deep insight into Chinese culture.

[ www.cny.ie ]

Ceol agus Damhsa Traidisiúnta

Limerick is holding a day of celebration of Irish traditional music and dance by local artists on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Performers will showcase their skills including world champion dancer Niamh O'Brian and the Pat O'Dea dancers. The free event will be held at the Milk Market on Cornmarket Row.

The Meeting on the Turret Stairs

National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin will re-open its most popular painting, Frederic William Burton’s The Meeting on the Turret Stairs, for one hour on Valentine’s Day. It will be on display from 12pm-1pm on Saturday at 10 minute intervals. Tickets are free.

[ www.nationalgallery.ie ]