GO IRELAND:Put down that passport. With so much going on at home this year why would you holiday anywhere else? We’ve rounded up some of the biggest events on the domestic calendar this year, which are well worth building a vacation around, writes SANDRA O'CONNELL

VOLVO OCEAN RACE, GALWAY

June 30th-July 8th

Who could forget the excitement caused by this maritime marathon in 2009, when more than half a million visitors headed west to see the participating boats during a two-week stopover in this round-the-world race?

This time around it will be an even bigger event as the race will finish in Galway in July. Its elite sailors are already out there battling the waves, having started out in Alicante in October. On their voyage, they’ll take in Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya and Auckland, before heading on to Brazil, rounding Cape Horn for Miami, Lisbon and the Bay of Biscay. However, the grand finale is in Galway and with an expected global TV audience of 1.3 billion, you can be sure the city authorities will pull out all the stops to greet them.

galwayvolvooceanrace.com

OLYMPIC TORCH, DUBLIN

June 6th

Just because you’re not going to be in London for the Games doesn’t mean you can’t catch a whiff of its spirit at home, particularly as the Olympic torch is set to do a run of its own across these shores in June. Due to spend seven days in Northern Ireland, a special dispensation has been given by Olympic officials for it to make a quick detour south, in the spirit of peace. The only proviso is that no politicians will be let grab a hold of it. Once it arrives in Dublin, the torch relay is expected to begin at the Garden of Remembrance, head down O’Connell Street and into the IFSC and Sheriff Street before crossing over the Samuel Beckett Bridge, passing the Dáil – where they’ll have to speed up to avoid the photo-opportunists – and on towards Harold’s Cross before doubling back to Stephen’s Green and, finally, Merrion Square.

olympicsport.ie

NOTRE DAME V NAVY, DUBLIN

September 1st

Notre Dame, known as the Fighting Irish, and the US Naval Academy are two of the big names in American college football, known for the intense rivalry of their meetings. This year marks the second time they have taken their game to Ireland. The last visit was 16 years – and an entire boom – ago.

On that occasion they played in Croke Park, where the Fighting Irish, helped by a presumably partisan crowd, won 54 to 27.

The stage is now set for another inundation of fans and supporters to the city as the two teams meet for the 84th consecutive year, this time in the Aviva Stadium – about the only legacy left standing after said boom.

visitdublin.com

TITANICCENTENARY, COBH

Runs throughout 2012

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the ill-fated ship’s maiden voyage and Cobh – then Queenstown – was its last port of call. To commemorate the anniversary, Cobh will play host to a series of events, including a commemorative ball with early 20th century-themed food, music and entertainment; an exhibition in Cobh Museum; a national tribute on April 11th, with Naval Service fleet review and Air Corps flyover; a vintage fair, a regatta and a series of concerts on Spike Island.

Ecumenical church services and a two-day lecture series are also planned, as well as ancillary events such as a Titanic-themed short film competition.

Just be warned, if you’re going to any Titanicevents in Cobh this year, make an effort with your make-up – a fly-on-the-wall film crew is stationed there throughout the year to make a documentary about the commemorations.

titanic100.ie

CITY OF SCIENCE, DUBLIN

July 11th-15th

This year the capital has been chosen to host the prestigious EuroScience Open Forum 2012 event, the world’s largest science conference, which takes place in the Convention Centre in July.

So far, so what, you might say. Well, for a start, the arrival of its 5,000-plus delegates, plus in some cases partners and family, has put a spring in the step of hoteliers across the city.

What’s more, on the back of it, an extensive “Science in the City” programme has been planned to coincide with the formal conference schedule, allowing the public to interact with some of the visiting scientists.

There will be a particular emphasis on engaging with youngsters, so it’s worth keeping an eye out if you’ve got kids and you’re planning to be near the city at the time.

dublinscience2012.ie

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, DUBLIN

June 11th-17th

For Catholics, the big event this summer is the 50th Eucharistic Congress which takes place at the RDS, with the finale – the liturgy on the final day – being celebrated in Croke Park on Sunday June 17th.

The last time this event took here was in 1932, when an estimated million people packed into Phoenix Park and church services were held on O’Connell Street. Just as when rumours spread that Bono is scheduled to appear at a concert, there has been talk about the Pope putting in an appearance, but as yet it is only rumour.

Even without the pontiff, however, hoteliers are expecting an influx of 150,000 visitors on foot of the event, drawn not just to the main programme but to the ancillary workshops and cultural events running alongside it, including a dedicated youth programme.

iec2012.ie

BAVARIA CITY RACING, DUBLIN

June 3rd

Citizens of the capital rejoice, there won’t be a pothole to be seen by the time this high-octane event takes to the streets.

The Bavarian Breweries event, which has previously taken place in Rotterdam and Moscow, has in the past attracted Formula One drivers from teams such as Ferrari, McLaren and Renault.

As well as Formula One cars, there will be Super League Formula, Indy Car, Formula Two and Dakar trucks taking part in a spectacle that is predicted to attract up to a quarter of a million viewers. The route takes in key landmarks, passing the Convention Centre, Custom House Quay, across Butt Bridge on to D’Olier Street, College Green, passing Trinity, Westmoreland Street, over O’Connell Bridge and back to the Convention Centre – with almost the entire track open to the viewing public for free.

bavariacityracing.ie

CITY OF CULTURE, DERRY

Runs through 2012

Okay, so Derry is actually the City of Culture for 2013, but expect a host of events to take place in the run-up to that this year.

First up is a cultural olympiad to be staged in advance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which included a peace-promotion concert organised by the Peace One Day initiative and an installation by artist Deborah Warner

The city will have its own official boat in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race too, to mark its City of Culture status, and will also be an official host port, welcoming the 10-strong fleet in July.

It is the first time Northern Ireland will be represented in the race.

cityofculture2013.com

ALL-IRELAND FLEADH, CAVAN

August 10th-20th

Cavan will score a hat-trick this year by hosting the 10-day festival that celebrates all aspects of Irish cultural traditions, including music, song and dance.

Book your accommodation early for this one as the town sees a by-now annual influx of up to 300,000 people, many of them from overseas, and 70 per cent of them kids.

Providing a massive fillip to the locals, the fleadh finals are estimated to be worth €40 million to the town and its hinterland.

More than money however, the event promises a terrific atmosphere with loads of family fun and fantastic performances.

comhaltas.ie

TITANIC BELFAST LAUNCH, BELFAST

March 31st

Europe’s largest urban regeneration project, the €8 billion Titanic Quarter, is due to open this year on the site of the old Harland Wolff shipyard – now transformed into a 185-acre development of apartments, commercial premises, hostels, restaurants and bars.

The jewel in its crown, however, is the new Titanic Belfast visitor centre, rated a “must see” by National Geographicfor 2012.

To mark the launch, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Belfast City Council are planning a programme of festival events well worth travelling up for, including a spectacular light show to mark the opening of the visitor centre.

Other events slated for this year include a 100th-anniversary commemoration of the sinking of the ship in the Waterfront Hall, MTV will be back in Belfast to host a major music gig on the Titanic Slipway, while the BBC Proms crew is due for a performance in September.

A new play, Titanic, based on testimonies given to the British Wreck Commissioners’ inquiry into the sinking of the ship, will run at the MAC Belfast.

titanicbelfast.com