The summer season of sport, music and marches is beginning to kick off with just a little rain on the parade(s) expected. The weather people are predicting occasional and light rain this weekend with daytime temperatures ranging from 16 - 19 Celsius.
Numerous operations to minimise traffic disruption will be in place around the country with the Orange Order parade to Drumcree church in Co Armagh on Sunday likely to see the heaviest police presence. Those wishing to attend should be careful not to confuse it with the lesbian, gay and transsexual pride parade in Dublin tomorrow.
But thousands of orangemen will be in Dublin for the parade of their brethren - around Croke Park ahead of Armagh's clash with Dublin which forms part of a football double header. Donegal and Tipperary kick off proceedings at 2.15 with the big grudge match following at 4.15.
Traffic around the north inner city will be disrupted all afternoon by the GAA and the GAY.
While the north inner city will see diversions in place for the matches, the lesbian, gay and transsexual pride parade will see diversions on Parnell Square North, O'Connell Street, D'Olier Street along College Green onto Dame Street and up to Christchurch before finishing on Cook Street.
Diversions around Croke Park will return on Sunday for the Leinster final featuring those most venerable of rivals, Wexford and Kilkenny.
Gardaí are also advising motorists to avoid the area around Dardistown Cemetery from 1.15 p.m. where a large crowd is expected for the Blessing of the Graves ceremony. The Mass will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude at 5 p.m..
Elsewhere in Dublin, the annual O2 in the Park concert featuring Samantha Mumba, Girls Aloud and Mickey Harte among others takes place at the Phoenix Park with gates opening at 11 a.m. The first act is on stage around an hour later with the finishing time set for 7 p.m. The event is free but tickets are no longer available.
In Kilkenny, Shania Twain heads a bill which includes the Pretenders and Girls Aloud at Nowlan Park on Saturday afternoon; while in Galway on Sunday an airshow takes place in the skies (where else?) above Salthill Promenade. Traffic disruption around the seaside resort is expected with a protest against the presence of warplanes and the Connaught football final at Pearse Stadium beginning at 2 p.m.