Poor weather conditions and crashes are causing major traffic disruption in a number of areas around the country today.
Traffic on Dublin's M50 was severely disrupted this morning after a truck hit a toll barrier.
One southbound lane was closed at the Westlink toll booth after the truck hit the gate. The road has now been re-opened. However, traffic is still reported to be heavy from the Ballymun exit to the toll plaza. An earlier crash at the Ballymun exit has been cleared.
In Co Kildare, the road between Clane to Kilcock is closed after a serious crash at Painstown Cross this morning. Diversions are in place.
This weekend, motorists intending to use the N11 are warned to expect major delays. It will be closed from tomorrow at 8.00pm until Sunday afternoon from the Bray North exit to the Kilcronney exit for Enniskerry to allow for bridgeworks to be carried out. All traffic will be diverted through Bray.
In Kilkenny, major traffic diversions are in place tonight due to the Feile na nGael Grand Parade.
Construction began this week on the Luas Docklands Line. Georges Dock Bridge has been closed for work until September. The line is expected to be open by 2009.
Today's weather is not expected to improve until tonight, with persistent and heavy rain across most of Ulster, Leinster and parts of east Munster Some thundery downpours are forecast across south Leinster and east Munster.
Drier weather is expected to spread from the northwest today, although temperatures will remain cool. The rain will clear throughout most of the country tomorrow, with sunny periods expected. Saturday night will be largely dry and cloudy in most places, although scattered showers are likely in southern areas. will develop most likely in southern areas with isolated heavy ones possible. Temperatures may struggle into the low 20s.
Next week looks set to remain unsettled, with rain expected. Typical Irish summer, so.
There main sporting event this week will, with respect to the good men and women of Munster, the Dublin - Meath Leinster football championship quarter-final
replay in Croke Park on Sunday. Expect thundery outbursts. And that's just on the pitch.
The Munster senior hurling semi-final replay between Limerick and Tipperary is on tomorrow in Semple Stadium tomorrow, with the same venue hosting the semi-final between Cork and Waterford the following day.
Racing fans can head to Clonmel, where the meeting ends tonight.