Traffic restrictions are in place around Merrion Square in Dublin today as the Street Performance World Championships gets underway.
The event, which is expected to attract over 150,000 people, includes contortionists, piano jugglers, magicians, breakdancers and a whole host of other entertainers.
The Dublin Pride Festival 2010 also kicks off today and walking tours of Gay Dublin, film screenings, quizzes and more will be on over the weekend.
The inaugural Dalkey Book Festival , featuring contributions from Maeve Binchy, Joseph OConnor, Declan Hughes, John Connolly and Conor McPherson, starts today.
More than 70 boats and 400 sailors, their families and friends from Ireland and the UK have converged on Dun Laoghaire for the start of the biggest event in the sailing calendar in Dublin Bay this year, the Squibs National Sailing Championship, which takes place at the Royal Saint George Yacht Club over the course of the next week.
Music is also on the agenda with a number of legends performing around the country over the next few days including country star Kenny Rogers, who will be celebrating over 50 years in the music business with concerts in Dublin and Cork.
Soul star Al Green and former Doobie Brothers main man Michael McDonald will be at the Marquee in Cork today.
Elsewhere, chart topper Pink is live at the RDS this evening and at Thomond Park tomorrow.
Theres plenty on offer at the inaugural Body & Soul Festival at Ballinlough Castle in Athboy, Co Westmeath, which promises laid-back grooves and more. Among the acts performing are Four Tet, Jape, R.S.A.G. and Tunng. Motorists are advised to expect delays approaching Ballinlough.
The 2010 Éigse Carlow Arts Festival also continues over the weekend.
Met Éireann forecasts that with high pressure remaining close to Ireland, the weather will continue to stay settled and largely dry over the weekend and on into next week.
