EVERY IMAGINABLE type of entertainment is on offer around the country this weekend, from comedy festivals to tall ships, from literature to beauty pageants and from powerboat racing to speed sheep-shearing.
The Dublin Maritime Festival takes place on the quays north and south of the Liffey. The Jeanie Johnstonwill be among the tall ships on view. There will also be street theatre, music and the city's biggest open-air market, with crafts, clothing, jewellery, paintings, flowers, plants and gourmet food.
At Croke Park this evening, 75,000 fans are expected at a sell-out gig by Westlife. Turnstiles open at 5pm and motorists should expect heavy traffic in the area before and afterwards.
In Kilkenny, the annual Carlsberg Cat Laughs comedy festival continues until Monday, with favourites Ardal O’Hanlon, Barry Murphy, Andrew Maxwell and Dom Irrera among the acts performing.
About 50,000 people are expected to visit the Galway Powerboat Racing festival, which continues until June 12th.
In Kerry, the Listowel Writers Week, a highlight of the literary year for many, continues until tomorrow.
Up to 20,000 people are expected to attend the All-Ireland Sheep-Shearing Championships in Portlaoise, where 2,300 sheep will lose their wool over the weekend.
Shearers from Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will be action in national and international competitions, including the Clik Irish International Open.
Twins from all over Ireland, and many from overseas, are in the Co Monaghan Border town of Carrickmacross for today’s unique attempt by the town Lions Club club to create a world record in getting the most twins together in the same place at the same time.
The event will see a parade through the town of hundreds of twins from several countries.
On the sporting front, there are a number of major GAA fixtures, including the Leinster senior football championship quarter final between Louth and Kildare at Páirc Tailteann, Navan, at 7pm this evening.
Motorists heading towards Cavan this weekend should note the opening of the new M3 motorway, which bypasses Clonee, Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells. The road is tolled at Clonee and Kells.
On Monday, up to 10,000 people are expected to take part in the Cork City Marathon, which aims to raise more than €3 million for charities including the Irish Cancer Society.
More than 40,000 participants will run the Women’s Flora mini- marathon in Dublin on Monday.
An estimated €14 million was raised for charities last year, bringing the total raised since the event began in 1983 to more than €100 million.
There will be road closures in both cities and disruptions to Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus services. Dublin Bus, Luas, Iarnród Éireann, Dart and commuter rail services will operate to a Sunday timetable.
Motoring body AA Roadwatch said road safety was a major concern as most people drove longer distances than usual over a bank holiday.
More than 230,000 passengers are expected to travel through Dublin airport between yesterday and Monday.