Traffic jams and rain to dampen holiday spirits

The first June bank holiday of the millennium with its pop and comedy festivals has all the hallmarks of a truly memorable weekend - for all the wrong reasons. The outlook is for overcast weather, train chaos and traffic jams, possibly larger, but as certain as always.

In Cork and Galway the Heineken Green Energy festivals are expected to add up to 100,000 to the numbers of people travelling in search of fun and craic this weekend.

However, the bad news is that those expecting sweltering sunshine are to be disappointed. While the south and south-east can expect the best of the weather - a little sunshine, but mostly cloudy - rain is expected everywhere at some stage over the weekend.

Those hoping to travel by train may also be disappointed. The impending drivers' strike meant the best advice yesterday was to take the car.

Which means that what AA Roadwatch calls "the usual" traffic snarl-ups may turn out to be much worse. Kildare town on the N7 was experiencing long delays by lunchtime yesterday, as was Enfield on the N6. Difficulty was also experienced at Ballinasloe on the route to Galway and Fermoy on the way to Cork.

As the AA pointed out, while the out-of-Dublin traffic takes place over two days, Friday and Saturday, the return is expected to be concentrated between lunchtime and 7 p.m. on Monday. The AA hasn't singled out any particular blackspots for the return journey, pointing out that all approach roads to Dublin are expected to suffer severe congestion.

Those with a sense of humour could plan a detour through Kilkenny where the Cat Laughs festival will be taking place.

Yet still they come. Ryanair and Aer Lingus have reported passenger numbers of 150,000 and 117,000 respectively. The figures represent increases on last year of 25 per cent in the case of Ryanair and 7 per cent in the case of Aer Lingus. Bus Eireann said it expected to carry up to 100,000 passengers on Expressway and provincial bus services between yesterday and Tuesday next with extra buses on all major routes. Today services will operate as on weekdays, while on Sunday and Monday service will be based on a Sunday timetable. On some routes on Monday, however, a normal weekday service will apply. Information from Bus Eireann is available on 018366111.

Irish Rail said that if the threatened driver's strike did not go ahead on Monday, it would expect to carry up to 200,000 passengers over the weekend, with 20 extra trains operating. Normal DART services will run, except on Monday when a service similar to a Sunday service will operate. No outer suburban trains will operate on Monday between Dublin and Arklow, Maynooth or Kildare.