Drivers are being warned to slow down, drive safely and avoid alcohol when behind the wheel as travellers head away into the sunshine for the bank holiday.
Unfortunately though, it looks as though we should make the most of the sun this evening as Met Éireann has predicted unsettled weather over the three-day period.
It is expected to remain bright, warm and dry into this evening giving way to some patchy fog or even slight ground frost overnight but returning to sunshine early in the morning. Later tomorrow the weather is expected to turn cloudier, bringing some patchy rain towards nightfall. Warmest temperatures will be felt in the eastern half of the country.
Sunday will be a bright day again but cooler and with a mixture of sunshine and scattered showers into the evening and night. There will still be showers around on Monday, but it will generally be a dry and bright day with temperatures cooler than this week at about 13-15 degrees centigrade.
The Garda will be out in force to ensure speed limits are being adhered to and to monitor drivers for alcohol consumption as road driver numbers soar on the first major holiday of the summer.
Three people died on Irish roads over the May bank holiday last year and the Garda is asking drivers to be "vigilant" to avoid a similar tally this year.
Long-distance drivers are advised to stop and take a break if they feel tired at the wheel and the public are asked to treat speed limits as a guideline rather than a target.
More than 4,500 drink-driving incidents were recorded for the first quarter of this year, an increase of over 27 per cent on the same period last year. The Gardai reminds drivers who want to have a drink to organise a taxi to take them home or nominate a sober driver. Drink-drivers face an automatic ban of one year.
Revellers heading south and west can also expect delays this evening as they venture towards events happening in Kilkenny, Cork and Kerry.
- the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival is taking place from Fri to Mon,
- the International Rally of the Lakes is in Kerry from Fri to Sun,
- the Heineken Kinsale Sevens rugby event is happening in Cork from Fri to Sun
Dubliners can also expect a packed city centre over the weekend as the Heineken Green Energy festival kicks off at Dublin Castle.
And for those who are travelling abroad from the Capital, Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is advising that all customers arrive at the airport check-in at least 90 minutes before their departure time.
The DAA is also advising a predicted 350,000 passengers to be aware that security restrictions are still in place concerning liquids. For more information on the EU Aviation Security regulations, visit www.dublinairport.com.