SUMMER BEGINS in earnest this weekend as temperatures start to climb and tens of thousands take to the roads for the bank holiday weekend.
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) said it expected more than 270,000 to travel through the airport over the weekend.
Although April's showers may linger for part of the weekend, Met Éireann is predicting a rise in temperatures into the mid to late teens, with warm and settled weather expected in the early part of next week.
Meanwhile, AA Roadwatch is predicting particularly busy roads as people travel to a wide range of events throughout the country.
These include: the Ballydehob International Jazz Festival Food Fair, in Co Cork; the Limerick River Fest; the Rally of the Lakes in Killarney, Co Kerry; and the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival.
AA Roadwatch spokesman Ronan Gilligan said the bulk of bank holiday weekend traffic typically travels from the east coast to the south and west of the country.
Among the main potential blackspots are the N8 Dublin/Cork Road, the N7 Dublin/Limerick Road and N6 Dublin/Galway Road, with delays also expected at Abbeyleix, Durrow and Urlingford, he said.
The N2 via Monaghan and the N3 through Dunshaughlin, Kells and on to Cavan is also likely to see significant traffic volumes. Similarly, he said Monday afternoon will lead east-bound routes to become very congested as people return for work on Tuesday morning.
Mr Gilligan advised motorists to plan their routes in advance and to drive with extra care this weekend.
"We would urge all motorists to take extra care, never ever drink and drive, always keep your speed down," he said.
The DAA said it would have customer care teams in place to cater for the expected increased demand.
"Passengers should plan to arrive at their check-in desk at least 90 minutes before their flight departure time," it advised.
According to Met Éireann, today will continue to be mild, humid and rather windy.
There will be "a good deal" of cloudy, misty weather, with rain at times everywhere, but some brighter spells developing in places, mainly in the midlands, west and northwest.
While there will be a "dull, damp" start to Sunday, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, it will gradually brighten up leading to a a mild day with temperatures in the high teens.
This trend is forecast to continue into early next week, with temperatures likely to reach into the low twenties in places.
Bank holiday: events around the country
BELFAST
More than 14,000 people are expected to take part in
the Belfast City Marathon on Monday
DUBLIN
Heineken Green Energy, Dublin Castle, with Nick Cave
and the Bad Seeds tonight; Soulwax, Sunday and The Kooks,
Monday
CORK
Kinsale Sevens (today and tomorrow);
Ballydehob International Jazz Festival Food Fair, Ballydehob,
Co Cork (until tomorrow)
LIMERICK
The Dolans Music Festival On The Docks
The Limerick River Fest, Limerick City
KERRY
The Cuckoo Walking Festival, Tarbert, Co Kerry
(until Monday)
Rally of the Lakes, Killarney, Co. Kerry (today and
tomorrow)
CO WICKLOW
Bray Jazz Festival (today and tomorrow)
GALWAY
Connemara Mussel Festival, Renvyle peninsula (until
Monday)
ROSCOMMON
Strokestown International Poetry Festival (until
Monday)
DONEGAL
Loreto Flower Show, Buncrana, Co Donegal (until
Monday)
KILKENNY
Kilkenny Rhythm and roots Festival, Kilkenny City
(until Monday)
MAYO
Heinrich Böll Achill Arts Weekend, Achill
Island, Co Mayo (until Sunday)
SLIGO
The Vogler Spring Festival, (chamber music event)
Drumcliffe, Co Sligo (until Monday)