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With temperatures set to soar to 20 degrees in some parts of the country, The Irish Times has everything you need to know about events, weather, transport and water safety this June bank holiday weekend.
Events
The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon will be held in-person in Dublin city for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the run’s 40th anniversary, and the 10km course will start at 2pm on Sunday at Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2. People can also take part in the event virtually.
Traffic information can be found here and road closures will be in place.
Bloom is also taking place in Dublin’s Phoenix Park until Monday, from 9am-6pm each day. The festival of flowers and food will showcase gardens, sculptures and plants, as well as cookery demonstrations and outdoor catering.
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Forbidden Fruit is also taking place over the bank holiday weekend in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. While tickets for the festival are sold out, there are several official after-parties taking place in venues across Dublin city such as Xico, Pygmalion and Wigwam, with tickets still available.
In Galway, the Black Eyed Peas (minus Fergie) are playing Pearse Stadium in Salthill on Saturday. There is also cabaret and burlesque acts in the Róisín Dubh on the same night, as the Dirty Circus celebrates its 10th birthday.
Cork Harbour Festival will run until June 13th with more than 50 events on offer, including tours of Spike Island, art exhibitions, sea safaris, watercraft races, scuba diving, bird watching and paddle boarding. Cyprus Avenue in Cork city is hosting a Tribute Festival on Saturday and Sunday, with musicians covering acts such as U2, The Prodigy, Bon Jovi, Thin Lizzy and more.
In Limerick, DJ Jenny Greene and the band Hermitage Green will be playing the Docklands on Friday and Saturday night. The Slow Sunday’s market will also return to Treaty City Brewery on Limerick’s Nicholas Street. There will be 10 vendors over two floors selling preloved, vintage and handcrafted goods.
Travel advice
Meanwhile, those jetting off on summer holidays have been advised by the DAA to arrive at Dublin Airport 2½ hours before a short-haul flight and 3½ hours before a long-haul flight. Passengers with checked bags should give themselves an additional hour.
However, from preliminary reports it seems the chaos of last weekend, where more than 1,000 people missed their flights, has been avoided.
Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority are also appealing for motorists to slow down this bank holiday.
Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman said more than 1,000 drivers were prosecuted for speeding on Thursday as a result of garda operation Slow Down. “These drivers will now receive three penalty points on their licence, but their driving put themselves and all other road users at risk.”
One more person died on Irish roads on Thursday, meaning 71 people have been killed on the roads so far this year. “I continue to appeal to all road users to slow down and stay safe this bank holiday weekend,” Commissioner Hilman said.
Meanwhile, Bus Éireann advised customers to be prepared for greater demand on services and to pre-book seats for Expressway interregional travel.
On sunny days, Bus Éireann said its routes to beaches and coasts are very busy. They advised people to arrive at the beach earlier and return home earlier to avoid the rush.
Weather
Saturday will have the best weather of the bank holiday weekend, according to Met Éireann forecaster Emer Flood. “There will be dry and sunny conditions from morning onwards in most areas,” she said.
Connacht and western Ulster and Munster will be quite warm, with temperatures reaching 19-20 degrees.
For southern coastal counties, it will be a cloudier day with some showers. Those showers could spread up towards Munster and south Leinster throughout the day, with a chance of a shower in the east in the evening.
Eastern costal counties will feel distinctly cooler than the west due to a moderate easterly breeze, which will keep temperatures between 14-15 degrees.
Moving on to Sunday, there will be more cloud and showers, according to Ms Flood. “There will be showers particularly in Munster and Leinster, the odd one could be heavy enough.”
Connacht and west Ulster will get the sunniest weather and temperatures will range from 14-19 degrees nationwide. The easterly breeze will keep eastern counties feeling colder.
Monday will be a mix of cloud and bright spells. It will generally be drier than Sunday, but the southwest will experience some showers. The temperatures will rise again, particularly in the north and north west, which could go up to 20 degrees.
Tuesday will also be sunny with some showers, but the weather is set to change midweek. A westerly air flow is set to arrive with fronts moving in across the Atlantic, so more unsettled conditions are expected.
Water safety
The Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have issued a joint appeal against swimmers using inflatables on the water.
“Inflatable toys are not suitable for use in open water, including at the seaside and on inland waters and rivers,” the statement said. “Inflatable toys, including dinghies and air mattresses can quickly blow out to open waters or capsize.”
They advised those enjoying the water to always have a way of calling for help that is accessible when out on the water.
Swimmers, kayakers and other water-goers should also tell someone where they are going and what time they expect to return.
A life jacket or buoyancy aid should always be worn, and the weather forecast and sea conditions should be checked.
Last year, lifeguards rescued 473 people and provided first aid to 6,700 people. People are encouraged to swim at lifeguarded waterways, with a list available here.
If you see somebody who you think is in trouble on the water or along the coast, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio CH 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.