Cars and other vehicles have been banned from parts of Dublin and Cork cities today, to be replaced by street entertainment and family events in celebration of European Car Free Day.
Some campaigners have criticised the event claiming it will have little impact on weekend traffic and called for it to be held on a working day.
In Dublin, Parnell Square East, Merrion Square West and the main road through Herbert Park in Donnybrook are closed to all vehicles from 7am until 6pm.
In Cork, a concession has been made for buses and taxis, but all other vehicles are banned from Patrick's Street between the junction at Merchants Quay and Daunt's Square/Half Moon Street from 11am to 5pm.
Dublin City Council is organising the celebrations in Dublin. Parnell Square will be the venue for opera and gypsy music outside the Hugh Lane Gallery from noon to 4pm, two art workshops at noon and 1.15pm, and three public tours at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
Merrion Square will host a mixture of urban and traditional events to suit children of all ages, starting at midday with an extreme sports display of skateboarding, BMX skills, rollerblades and long boards, as well as a break-dance workshops.
For younger children there will be a bouncy castle, magic show and circus skills lessons. A picnic area will also be provided.
The Cork Environmental Forum in conjunction with Cork City Council will hold the Rebel Pedal Parade and street festival. The Rebel Pedal will take in a leisurely 40-minute circuit of the city and will feature some unique bikes from penny-farthings to unicycles and sculpture bikes.
The bike ride departs from Cork Opera House on Emmet Place at 11.30am, and will be followed by an on-street festival at Emmet Place with live music, bicycle-powered refreshments, circus performances, "pimp my bike", food stands, a bike doctor clinic and free massage.