Motorists travelling around the State this weekend have been warned to expect traffic delays due to a number of events expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.
A major traffic and policing plan has been put in place by the Garda for tomorrow's concert by the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Slane Castle in Co Meath.
Gates open at 11 a.m. and the first support act is due on stage at 12.
Slane village will be closed to through traffic from 8 p.m. tonight until 3 a.m. on Sunday morning. Non-concert goers travelling south on the N2 will be diverted at Ardee to the M1 where they may then continue all the way to Dublin, or join the N2 via Duleek/Kilmoon Cross.
Non-concert traffic heading north on the N2 will be diverted at Kilmoon Cross towards Drogheda.
Gardaí have recommended a number of approach routes for those attending the concert at Slane Castle. From Dublin north and east, people should use the N2 direct to Slane or the M1 to Drogheda, turning off for Slane at the roundabout after crossing the new bridge. From Dublin west and south and the south and south-eastern counties, use the M50/N3 to Navan and the N51 from Navan to Slane.
From the Belfast direction, motorists should use the M1, turn off at signs for Collon, and continue along the N2 to Slane. Motorists coming from Derry, Tyrone and Monaghan may use the N2 directly to Slane. Other traffic from the midlands and west should approach via Navan and follow the signs to Slane on the N51.
Both Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus will run special services to Slane from Dublin city centre. Return tickets cost €17 from the Dublin Bus office on Upper O'Connell Street or from the booking office in Busaras.
The Garda has warned that anyone without a ticket for the sell-out event will not be allowed near the venue.Everyone entering the concert site will be searched and that alcohol or anything that could be used as an offensive weapon will be confiscated. Illegally parked cars will be towed away, the Garda said.
Concert-goers have also been warned that swimming is prohibited in the River Boyne around Slane and that the river is "extremely dangerous". There have been a number of deaths during Slane concerts over the years after people tried to swim across the river.
Elsewhere, traffic heading for Clonmel, Co Tipperary, will suffer delays as a result of the 2003 All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, described as the biggest outdoor street music festival of its kind in Europe. The Fleadh is worth an estimated €18 million to the economy in Clonmel and surrounding areas.
Performers from 12 countries will take part in the event, with the highlight prize-giving ceremony taking place on Sunday night. Most streets in Clonmel town centre will be closed to traffic until Sunday.
In Dublin, the Festival of World Cultures takes place from today until Sunday in Dun Laoghaire. The event is also expected to attract thousands of visitors, but Dun Laoghaire is accessible by bus and DART services.
AA Roadwatch said southbound motorists using Eazypass can now use a new dedicated lane at the Westlink tollbridge on the M50. However, the traffic organisation said motorists should expect some delays as drivers get used to the new layout.