The Winter Olympics and the Australian Open provided a great sporting start to 2010, but from here until the end of the year it's just going to get better and better. So if you fancy an attractive alternative for your holiday this year, here are some of the most interesting sports events on offer.
St Patrick's Day Celebrations at the Cheltenham Festival
This is one trip that would probably fit more comfortably into a Top 10 Pilgrimage list, but not wanting to be charged under the new blasphemy laws, it will have to stay here with the other sports. Every March, thousands upon thousands of Irish make their way across the Irish Sea with dreams of bankrupting bookies as the Cheltenham Festival conveniently coincides with the feast of good old St Patrick. Four days of madness are waiting in the normally quaint English town, as National Hunt's premium event takes over.
Make sure to take a few days either side of the racing festival to enjoy the beautiful Cotswolds countryside, an area that has been designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Also, it would be a good idea to keep a few quid in reserve, just in case the betting doesn't go exactly to plan - Cheltenham can be notorious for breaking banks. This year's Cheltenham festival runs from 16 to 19 March. For more: www.cheltenham.co.uk.
The Connemara Marathon
If walking the majestic hills and stunning coastlines of one of the most scenic spots in Ireland isn't an energetic enough experience, then why not throw a half or ultra marathon into the mix. The course takes runners on an amazing journey around the Twelve Pin Mountains, past glacier lakes, up to Killary Lough, through the 'Quiet Man' village of Leenane and onto Maam Cross via the Maam Turk Mountains.
This year's race on 11 April is already sold out but charity entries are still available. Charity entries cost €250. Application forms are already available for the 2011 race, which takes place on 10 April 2011. For more: www.connemarathon.com.
Caribbean Cricket
Irish cricket hit the world stage a couple of years back after beating Pakistan on St Patrick's Day in Sabina Park at the Cricket World Cup, and now the boys in green are going back for more. The World Cup is returning to the Caribbean, this time the shortest and most entertaining version of the sport, Twenty20. Ireland have qualified and will play the host nation, the West Indies, and the 'auld enemy' England in the South American Caribbean country of Guyana and if they get through to the second phase of the competition, Phil Simmons' side will hit the beautiful island of Barbados.
Guyana is one of the leading Eco-Tourism countries in the world, home to the magnificent Kaieteur Falls, while Barbados is the picture perfect Caribbean country, with turquoise seas and white, sandy beaches. And then there's the cricket. West Indian cricket is renowned for its party atmosphere and the Twenty20 version of the game will be the perfect companion. If the last World Cup is anything to go by, you have it on very good authority that this is a two-week party that will not be beaten in 2010. The Twenty20 World Cup runs from 30 April to 16 May 2010. For more: www.cricket20.com, www.visitbarbados.org and www.guyana-tourism.com.
Grand Slam Tennis in the Paris Sunshine
You'd be forgiven for thinking that the only tennis tournament taking place this summer is happening in the London boroughs, but another of the Big Four Grand Slams takes place at Roland Garros in Paris at the end of May.
So instead of worrying about the rain in an English July, with the threat of an impromptu Cliff Richard concert, enjoy the early summer sunshine in Paris watching tennis that actually involves decent rallies - not the place for the 6 foot 10 inch giants that ruin the Wimbledon event. And watch the simply sublime Rafael Nadal doing what he does best at the event that, up until last year, looked likely to be renamed the Nadal Open. Roger Federer will be looking to retain the title that evaded him for many years, while Rafa is set to return with only one thing on his mind.
Tickets for the French Open are easy to come by as they are sold like concert tickets and on the days that you don't go to the tennis, well, where else would you rather be. The French Open takes place in Paris from 24 May to June 7. For more: http://french.open-tennis.com and www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/index.html.
A Football Festival in South Africa
If it wasn't for a certain hand of a well-known footballer who plies his trade in Barcelona and who shall remain nameless, there would be a mass exodus from these parts to the southern tip of the continent of Africa. But let's not go there. It's the World Cup. The number-one sporting event of the year. So what if Ireland are not going?
The four-week tournament will be a celebration of all things South African, so why not use this festival of football to take in some of the amazing attractions on offer, whether you are marvelling at the views from the summit of Table Mountain or heading out on safari in search of the Big Five. There's never been a better time to visit this still-emerging nation and if you need a team to support, well, Ivory Coast play under the banner of a backwards tri-colour. Go Elephants! The FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 11 July. For more: www.fifa.com/worldcup and www.southafrica.net.
Follow the Tour on your France Holiday
For three weeks every summer, France comes to a standstill as Le Tour spans the length and breadth of the region, from the highest tips of the Alps and the Pyrenees to the widest avenues of the country's greatest cities. So if you are in France on your holidays in July, then there is every chance that the Tour will be in your vicinity. If so, go and experience the ultimate French day out; pack a picnic, find a comfortable spot along the route and marvel as the peloton progresses at speeds that can only be appreciated first hand.
The best days for spectators are on the peaks of the highest mountains in either the Alps or Pyrenees. The crowds that show up for these stages in the clouds beggar belief and if you do make it along, there should be at least two Irish riders on show. Get your tin of paint out and make a sign with ROCHE or DEIGNAN on it - the lads will appreciate it as they struggle for a decent breath of oxygen. The Tour de France runs from 3 July to 20 July. For more: www.letour.fr.
The Open at the Home of Golf
The greatest golf tournament in the world at the undisputed home of golf; that's what is on offer this year as The Open returns to St Andrews for the 150th anniversary. Padraig Harrington has won the event twice in the last three years and an Irish success is always an option as conditions are favourable. The practice days ahead of the tournament are always well attended as some of the best golfers in the world struggle in the Scottish hazards. A few days either side of the event will bring you to some of the best golf courses in the world. Then there's the party city of Edinburgh or the option to go further afield into the amazing Highlands. This year the Open takes place from 15 to 18 July. For more: www.opengolf.com and www.visitscotland.com.
Another Celtic Ryder Cup to Enjoy
After the success both on and off the course of the Irish Ryder Cup, Wales are now under pressure to match the show that took place at the K Club in 2006. Played in a truly unique golfing atmosphere, the best players in Europe and the US go head to head for three days of entertaining match-play competition. Irish golfers have been prominent over the past decade and this year should prove no different as Rory McIlroy is likely to make his Ryder Cup debut.
The 2010 tournament takes place at the Celtic Manor in Newport so a few days either side of the event will be the perfect time to see what Wales has to offer. Newport is in a great location in south Wales, close to attractions such as Wye Valley, Brecon Beacons and Forest of Dean, while the lively city of Cardiff is a stone's throw away. The Ryder Cup takes place from 1 to 3 October. For more: www.rydercupwales2010.com.
Ed Leahy
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