'Potato blight' weather on way for weekend

"Weather conducive to the spread of potato blight" is how Met Éireann describes it, and for those of you unconcerned with the well being of the State's favourite vegetable it will simply mean sunshine and showers this weekend.

Heavy rain is forecast for the east and southeast tomorrow morning but this will clear away as the day goes on with highest temperatures across the country of 17 to 20 degrees.

The three-day forecast says the changeable spell of weather is set to continue with Sunday and Monday expected to be bright, fresh days with good sunny spells and heavy showers.

In terms of what's on across the country, the 27th Galway Arts Festival continues this weekend with a performance by the Beijing Dance Academy and a Bob Geldof concert.

In Dublin, the famous guitar-strumming duo Simon & Garfunkel return to the stage for a gig in RDS on Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. and traffic is expected to heavy in and around Ballsbridge area.

In Kilkenny, US singer-songwriter James Taylor is the headline act in the Smithwick's Source festival on Sunday. The event kicks off at Nowlan Park at 2 p.m. Motorists are being warned of delays in and out of the city.

The sporting front is dominated by GAA with six senior footballing championship matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday at 2 p.m, Croke Park plays host to Cork and Fermanagh in the Senior Football qualifier. followed by Galway and Tyrone at 4 p.m.

Later that evening Parnell Park will host the senior football qualifier between Derry and Wexford at 7 p.m. Motorists can expect congestion in and around the grounds.

In Limerick on Saturday at 6.30 p.m., Páirc na nGael will house the senior hurling qualifier between Clare and Offaly.

On Sunday the GAA-fest continues with the Connaught senior football final between Mayo and Roscommon in Castlebar at 2.30 p.m.

In Killarney, Kerry take on Limerick in the Munster senior football final at 3.30 p.m. while Croke Park will host the Leinster senior football final between Laois and Westmeath at 4.15 p.m.

Elsewhere the racing calendar takes in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Sunday.

There are no major bus and rail delays, but the Stena Express fast ferry sailing between Rosslare and Fishguard has been withdrawn from service for essential maintenance until Friday, July 30th.