Holiday weekend picks up as restrictions eased

The May bank holiday weekend sees the country returning to near normal as restrictions imposed at the start of the foot-and-mouth outbreak continue to ease.

Traffic promises to be particularly heavy, however, and the start of next week could see a return of disruption on the railways because of renewed industrial action by train-drivers.

The controversial closure of Dublin's Heuston Station took effect from 11 p.m. last night, to allow for major redevelopment works.

Up to 200,000 people would normally use the station this weekend. But Iarnrod Eireann said 80 per cent of customers will have made their outbound journeys before the closure and will travel back after midday on Monday, when the station reopens. Bus transfers are being laid on in between.

Talks are also expected to continue throughout the weekend in an effort to avert Tuesday's threatened work stoppages.

The ATGWU action, on behalf of 100 members of its Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association branch, could see pickets placed at Dundalk, Drogheda and Dublin's Connolly and Fairview depots. Eastcoast mainline services, Dublin's northern suburban line and the DART would be affected.

AA Roadwatch has advised motorists to stagger their journeys and avoid peak times if possible, but delays can still be expected at traffic black-spots including the N1 through Drogheda, the N7 through Kildare and the N8 at Mitchelstown and Fermoy.

Checkpoints remain in place on the approaches to Louth and the Border, and traffic will also be affected by the weekend's big sporting and cultural events.

The rescheduled Fairyhouse Grand National meeting got under way last night with a programme of evening races, and continues today. The big race, in which Commanche Court attempts to retain the title for trainer Ted Walsh, takes place tomorrow.

In a busy weekend for sport, Sunday's biggest attendance is likely to be at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, where 30,000 are expected to watch the National Hurling League final between Clare and Tipperary.

Soccer's National League championship will also be decided tomorrow. A win for Shelbourne over Cork City would give them the title.

Other events over the weekend include the Heineken Green Energy Extravaganza in Dublin, the Bray Jazz Festival, Feile na Bealtaine in Dingle, Co Kerry, the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival and the ESB Vogler Spring Festival in Sligo.

Love 2001, a dance festival featuring more than 60 DJs, takes place tomorrow at Nutt's Corner, Co Antrim, while the Cathedral Quarter Festival continues until next week in Belfast.

With Dublin Zoo again open for business, the Phoenix Park is also welcoming visitors, provided they stay on the footpaths and do not approach deer. The visitor centre reopened on Thursday, and sporting activities are expected to be allowed again from May 11th.

Other heritage sites reopening next weekend include the Swiss Cottage at Cahir, Co Tipperary, and Derrynane House, Caherdaniel, Co Kerry.

An Oige continues to reopen youth hostels as circumstances allow. Ballinskelligs in Co Kerry was the latest to open its doors this week, following recent reopenings including Glendalough, Co Wicklow, and Dunquin, Co Kerry.