Sports fans are in for a treat this Bank Holiday weekend with the Grand National, the Rás Mumhan international cycle race and the Circuit of Ireland rally all taking place over the Easter period.
Starting this afternoon, Stage One of the Rás Mumhan Four Day international race begins in Killorglin and will continue through Killarney, Farranfore, Tralee and Slieve Mish. Over the coming days the race will also see cyclists passing through Valentia, Cahirsiveen and Waterville before finishing in Killorglin on Monday.
AA Roadwatch warns that motorists should expect delays around South Kerry over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Circuit of Ireland rally started in Wicklow this morning and will be passing through Dublin, Antrim, Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Tralee, Waterford and Wexford before finishing up on Sunday.
For those who fancy a flutter, there's major meets on this weekend at Fairyhouse and Cork. The biggest draw will be for the Grand National which is on at 12pm on Monday. Up to 18,000 people are expected to attend the track at Fairyhouse in the hope of walking away that bit richer.
Traffic delays can be expected through Ratoath, Co Meath and in particular on the N3/Navan Rd, before and after the Grand National.
In terms of music, it's a relatively quite weekend ahead compared to most Bank Holidays.
Tonight sees the 2008 TG4 Gradam Ceiol Awards ceremony, known as the Oscars of the trad industry - taking place at Killarney's INEC with renowned Clare fiddler Martin Hayes among those attending. Kris Kristofferson is the other big draw this weekend with the US roots singer-songwriter playing in the Olympia Theatre in Dublin tonight and tomorrow before continuing his tour in Killarney on Sunday night.
Following appeals made by the Gardai and the Road Safety Authority earlier today, AA Roadwatch is also urging motorists to take care this weekend when travelling on Irish roads this weekend, particuarly as there will be adverse weather conditions.
Met Éireann has warned that there will be sunny spells and scattered blustery showers this afternoon, with some of the showers heavy and possibly falling as hail or sleet in northern areas towards evening.
Looking ahead, Met Éireann said that Saturday night will be very cold with a spell of rain or sleet later in the night in a strong northwest wind. Easter Sunday is expected to be cold and blustery with bright spells and scattered wintry showers of hail and sleet while Easter Monday will be somewhat milder, but mostly cloudy with further outbreaks of rain.
