It won't exactly be splitting the stones, but a warm front currently hovering over the Republic - hot air from Spain, to be precise - looks set to provide a sunny, albeit somewhat showery, Easter weekend.
However, motorists who journeyed yesterday on the N7 Dublin-Cork road might need a little cooling down after virtual gridlock in Co Kildare due to the rebuilding of a bridge between Kildare and Monasterevin. It took diverted cars up to three hours to get through the trouble spot.
According to AA Roadwatch, the backlog led to further delays along the route, extending the journey time to more than eight hours. It said motorists coming back to Dublin from Cork or Limerick on Monday should leave early, and take alternative routes.
Only one northbound lane remains open over the Monasterevin bridge, while all southbound traffic is being diverted through Kildangan. It will be six to eight weeks before the bridge is fully repaired.
Some Dublin motorists might also need their temperatures cooled after clamping took place yesterday despite announcements in certain media that the traffic control operation would be suspended.
However, a spokesman for Control Plus said "we never had any intention of having no enforcement". While parking meter spaces were not in operation, clamping continued at loading bays and double yellow lines.
Clamping operations return to normal today but will be suspended completely tomorrow and on Monday.
A range of sporting, cultural and family events, including the Circuit of Ireland Rally, is taking place over the holiday. The threat to Monday's Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse has receded after scaffolders deferred expected industrial action.
Top temperatures of 12 Celsius to 16 Celsius are expected today and tomorrow. Patchy rain, however, will spread from the south coast from dawn today, moving north during the afternoon. Sunday is expected to be warm and humid but quite cloudy, while Monday should be much brighter and clearer.
