Sunshine likely for holiday weekend of marathons, music and festivals

TEMPERATURES reached 26 degrees yesterday and are expected to soar again today, as the country basks in sunshine for the bank holiday.

In Dublin more than 40,000 women are expected to take part in the Women’s mini-marathon with thousands of people likely to line the streets on the route.

Maureen Armstrong (84) from Thurles, Co Tipperary, will be taking part in her 15th marathon and will be running with friends and family.

Gardaí have advised that road closures will be in place across much of the south city and drivers should avoid the area if at all possible.

The Cork City marathon also takes place today, starting at 9am.

Again traffic diversions will be in place and contra-flows will operate in the Jack Lynch tunnel, the Mahon interchange and the south city link road outbound. Motorists are still advised to use the ring and link roads. The Blackpool bypass will be closed from Thomas Davis Street into the city from 8am to about 10.30pm.

In Meath, the Blue Jean Country Queen festival continues in Athboy while in Co Cavan, the Jamboree festival takes place in Killinkere.

The festival will feature the Red Bull Fighters International Freestyle Motocross Show. This will bring extra traffic to the area and again motorists are advised to allow extra time and to drive with caution.

In Co Monaghan, the Carrickmacross festival which features street-trading concludes this evening while the Leixlip festival in Co Kildare continues until Tuesday.

Also in Co Kildare, racing takes place at Naas today with the first race scheduled to start at 2.40pm The last race is at 5.40pm. Traffic congestion is expected in the area between the town and the M7 .

In Kerry, the World Bodhrán Championship is under way in Milltown until today while in Kilkenny, the Cat Laughs festival also draws to a close this evening.

The Volvo Ocean Race festival continues in Galway city until next Sunday. A race village has been set up at the harbour area and a number of events will take place there each day.

Up to 200,000 people are expected to visit Galway during the two-week festival but the busiest time is likely to be the bank holiday weekend.

In Dublin, the Bloom flower show continues at the Phoenix Park. It is expected to have attracted more than 50,000 visitors by the time it closes at 6pm today.

Bloom is situated in the grounds of the visitor centre in the Phoenix Park, off Chesterfield Avenue, the main road running from Parkgate Street to the Castleknock Gate. From Parkgate Street, Bloom is located off Chesterfield Avenue to the right of the Phoenix Monument, after Áras an Uachtaráin.

Also in Dublin, the European Winners Dog Show takes place at the RDS Main Hall in Ballsbridge until tomorrow.