Here's what's happening in Mullingar at the weekend

The Mullingar St Patrick’s Day Festival 2024 opens tomorrow, Saturday March 16, when St Patrick arrives at Mullingar Harbour on the Royal Canal (6.30pm).

On the big day, Sunday March 17, the fun starts early for the more active. The Mullingar Half Marathon starts at 10am, and the St Patrick’s Day 5k is scheduled to start once all the half marathon competitors have cleared the start line.

Both finish in the town park, if you want to cheer on the runners.

Entertainment for children starts at 1.30pm on Church Avenue (next to Just Books and McDonald’s).

The Punch and Judy puppet show is at 2pm on the viewing stand, outside the Greville Arms Hotel, and the main parade starts at 3pm.

On the sport side, the big match is Westmeath v Down, in the NFL Division 3 top of the table clash; throw-in at 3pm in TEG Cusack Park.

The Westmeath ladies are away at Haywood Community School, Ballinakill, County Laois on Sunday; and the senior hurlers face Dublin in Parnell Park on Saturday in NHL Division 1B.