IT was a May Day bank holiday weekend where it was best to take in the potted plants overnight so they wouldn't get bitten by the frost. And in the north of the country the weather was decidedly "soft".
The sunlight which flooded Dublin on Friday failed to raise the temperature higher than nine degrees Celsius. By yesterday, temperatures all over had risen to a high of about 14 degrees, but that was still three degrees below normal for this time of year.
A mere 500 people assembled in O'Connell Street, Dublin, for the May Day march, organised by the Dublin Congress of Trade Unions. Sport and music did most to raise temperatures over the weekend.
In Galway, the Budweiser Rhythm Roots and Country Festival included acts such as The Corrs and k.d. lang. The substantial crowds who turned up had an enjoyable and peaceful time, according to the Galway gardai.
In Temple Bar, Dublin, 150 bands took part in the Heineken Green Energy International Music Festival, which attracted music industry people from around the world. The festival organisers announced their intention of repeating the exercise next year.
In Lansdowne Road yesterday afternoon temperatures soared when Shelbourne goalkeeper Alan Gough was sent off just 15 minutes into the FAI cup final. Over 17,000 people turned out to watch Shelbourne and St Patrick's Athletic draw 1-1.
Iarnrod Eireann carried over 120,000 people on its Intercity train service, running an extra 20 trains in addition to the regular scheduled services.
Irish Ferries carried some 2,700 people on its Rosslare to France routes and 19,000 on its Dublin Holyhead and Rosslare Pembroke routes. Aer Rianta reported an increase on airport passenger numbers compared with last year.
