Parts of the country are likely to grind to a near halt this weekend as traffic restrictions are put in place to accommodate the visit of the US president, Mr George W Bush, to Ireland for an EU-US summit.
A number of concerts, particularly in Galway and Killarney, and hurling matches in Limerick will also slow journeys down.
Weary weekend travellers have, in some cases, been warned to add at least two extra hours to their journey times, particularly if planning to travel through the Shannon region or through Shannon airport.
Mr Bush arrives at Shannon airport at 8.15 p.m. tonight and will leave at 3 p.m. tomorrow. More than 4,000 gardaí and around 2,000 other personnel, including the Defence Forces, are involved in the security operation, and a number of road closures will be in place.
In Limerick, gardaí have advised motorists that two All-Ireland senior hurling qualifying matches will take place at the GAA grounds on the Ennis Road tomorrow. Clare will play Laois at 5.30 p.m and Tipperary will play Limerick at 7.30 p.m.
Nearby streets, including the North Circular Road and local estates will be closed except for local access with a permit. The Northern Ring Road and the Condell Road will be open for access only.
A towing system will be in place for illegally parked cars and these will be subject to a €130 fine. Motorists are advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys, especially those travelling from Clare as there may still be some delays in this area due to the President Bush visit.
To facilitate the visit, the following traffic arrangements will be in place from 3 p.m. today until 3 p.m. tomorrow:
The N18 will be closed between Clonmoney, Shannon and Skehanagh, Clarecastle. Galway-bound traffic will be diverted at the Clonmoney fly-over on the Limerick side of Shannon via Sixmilebridge and Tulla. Traffic will rejoin the N18 at Lough Cutra near Gort.
Ennis-bound traffic will also be diverted at Clonmoney via Sixmilebridge on the R352 into Ennis.
Traffic travelling from Galway and Ennis will be diverted at Skehanagh, Clarecastle via Quinn and Sixmilebridge. Traffic will rejoin the N18 at Clonmoney.
The R458 from the Clare Inn roundabout to Minister's Cross, Newmarket-on-Fergus will be closed until 3 p.m tomorrow. Gardaí will be on duty and diversion signs will be in place.
Shannon airport will operate as normal today and tomorrow. Intending passengers are advised to add at least an extra hour to their travelling time to allow for any delays. This is in addition to any extra time advised by airlines or tour operators.
Apart from the US president's visit, traffic will also be affected by a number of concert events around the country at the weekend.
Major traffic restrictions will be in place around the Salthill area of Galway from midday tomorrow on Sunday as 25,000 fans descend on Pearse Stadium to see Bob Dylan in concert. The gates open at 2 p.m., and the event finishes at around 11 p.m. Dylan will be supported by Mundy, Paddy Casey, Damien Dempsey, The Walls, Gary Jules and Polly Paulusma.
Additonal gardaí will also be on duty for the day to manage traffic and parking arrangements and to deal with public order.
Killarney will also be in celebratory mood with Summerfest 2004, which begins tonight and runs until Sunday.
Tonight, revellers will see performances from Simple Minds and Bryan Adams, while Sheryl Crow and The Corrs take to the stage tomorrow night. Legends John Prine and Kris Kristofferson will play on Sunday night.