If you hate sport, now is a good time to leave the country. It's semi-final weekend at Croke Park in hurling, and Ireland is facing Wales in a Lansdowne Road rugby friendly today.
Throw in the Phoenix Park motor races and Leopardstown tomorrow, and up to 200,000 sports fans will be on the move this weekend.
As for the numbers staying put, that's anyone's guess. With rain forecast for Sunday, a fair proportion of Sky's 286,000 subscribers in the Republic can be expected to tune into the start of the Premiership soccer season, particularly Liverpool v Chelsea tomorrow when Damien Duff makes his league debut for the Blues.
Blues of another hue will be found at Croke Park tomorrow. "The Blue and Gold Ultras" to be precise - a cohort of dedicated Tipperary fans who commissioned a giant jersey-shaped banner for the clash against Kilkenny.
Measuring 50ft by 25ft, it's a jersey fit for Cú Chulainn, and certainly the Ultras hope it proves as intimidating to their opponents as the legendary chieftain might have.
"The atmosphere at recent matches was not great," admitted Enda O'Sullivan, a member of the Tipperary fan club. "Now we are aiming to make as much noise as we can. We want to improve the atmosphere behind the team."
Tomorrow's semi-final and today's 3.30 p.m. replay between Cork and Wexford are each due to attract up to 60,000 spectators to Croke Park. While Cork and Wexford's supporters can expect good weather, forecasters say rain may hit Sunday's game, bringing an end to the recent dry spell.
Tickets were yesterday still available for both hurling games, as well as for today's rugby friendly, which is expected to draw around 40,000 spectators to Lansdowne Road.
