Demonstrations will be held all over the State today against any war in Iraq and calling for the US military to leave Shannon.
Protests are being held in conjunction with International Women's Day, and many will take the form of peace vigils as well as marches and rallies.
Chairman of the Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM), Mr Richard Boyd Barrett, said: "The protests across Ireland will be part of widespread international protests this weekend against the looming war on Iraq organised to coincide with International Women's Day."
He said women and children would suffer disproportionately if war went ahead in Iraq, with tens of thousands likely to die and millions faced with homelessness and disease.
"We call on all the public - but especially women and children who are opposed to this war - to come out on the streets this Saturday and join the protest in their town or city," he said.
The IAWM also condemned the Irish Government for failing to join the growing international opposition to the planned war on Iraq, he said.
A protest outside the US embassy in Dublin at 2 p.m. will have the theme "Say No to War - US Military Out of Shannon". Speakers will include Ms Ivana Bacik, TCD Reid professor of law, Mr Proinsias De Rossa MEP, Cllr Clare Daly, of the Socialist Party, and Ms Kristina McElroy, of the Green Party.
In Cork, an anti-war demonstration will include a march and rally. Music and will start at 1 p.m. in Daunt Square. Speakers will include Mr Dan Boyle TD, of the Green Party, and Mr Joe Higgins TD, of the Socialist Party.
A similar protest will take place in Waterford, where demonstrators will assemble at 2.30 p.m. in The Glen in Waterford City and then march to Red Square for a rally. Speakers will be from the Waterford Council of Trade Unions, SIPTU, ATGWU, Green Party, Socialist Workers' Party, and Sinn Féin.
A peace vigil will be held in Galway, were 5,000 candles will be lit. It will start at 7 p.m. in the pedestrian area of Galway city centre.
An anti-war protest in Dundalk, Co Louth, will start at the Louth Hospital, Dublin Road, at 2 p.m. and will continue to The Square for a rally.
A peace rally in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, will take place between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Market Square. In Tullamore, Co Offaly, a march and rally will be held, starting at 2 p.m. at the GAA centre.
A gathering for peace will also be held in the Octogon in Westport, Co Mayo, at 2.30 p.m.
A peace vigil and petition-gathering will begin at the Market Square, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, at 2 p.m. and also in Maynooth, Co Kildare, at noon at the 1916 Monument, The Square. At 1 p.m., a contingent will leave Maynooth for the Dublin protest.
In Derry, there will be a march from Waterside to Cityside, assembling at the health centre at 2 p.m. Speakers will include Ms Bernadette Devlin McAlliskey.
A rally will be held in Dingle, Co Kerry, at noon at St Mary's Church, and tomorrow organisers are asking people to join the "Stream of Light for Peace" by putting a light outside their homes to be pictured by satellite.