It's a race to Galway, but don't forget the dinghy

Severe congestion is expected this weekend in the Fianna Fáil tent at the Galway races.

People with no affiliation to the party are strongly advised to avoid the area, which no doubt will be crammed full of canapé-munching politicians.

This weekend is one of the busiest in Galway with the ending of the Arts Festival and the start of the Galway races on Monday. However, many people are expected to travel to Galway this weekend.

Following last weekend's veritable monsoon in the region, visitors to either event are advised to prepare for rain -regardless of the forecast. If you are feeling neurotic about your Galway Races get-up getting mangled - bring a dinghy. Last week the Oramore road was flooded for hours.

The other major sporting event this weekend is the Irish Open Golf Tournament at Portmarnock, Co Dublin, an event that will feature fewer politicians than the Galway Races.

Parking is available at Belcamp College and at Portmarnock GAA Club with bus shuttles to the golf club. Tomorrow afternoon is expected to be particularly busy with delays to be expected.

Another massive march of tribal GAA fans will take place this weekend, although quite frankly, due to the shameful hidings handed out to this correspondent's home county of Limerick, this column's interest in the whole affair is beyond minimal. All I can say is; "Offaly - there is always next year, ye tribe of bog dancers".

Down and Donegal will be knocking lumps out of each other tomorrow at 4.15 p.m. with the usual traffic lunacy associated with the Clones cul de sac, where the game is being played.

Also tomorrow, Kildare meet Roscommon at Portlaoise at 6.15 p.m.

On Sunday at Croke Park (it's a wonderful stadium, or so we are told) Wexford face Antrim at 2.15 p.m. followed by Tipperary against Offaly and this column is wholeheartedly unashamedly hoping Offaly get hurled off the páirc.

Met Éireann is promising scattered showers and sunny breaks, with the highest temperatures expected to be between 17 and 20 degrees.

If you are using the DART this weekend, remember that Tara Street Station will be closed on Saturday and Sunday and passengers for the city centre should use either Pearse or Connolly stations.