Summer time officially begins this weekend and with it comes the promise of temperatures that will reach into the high teens.
Met Éireann is predicting settled weather that will continue long into next week. The national forecaster says that temperatures will average between 14 to 17 degrees tomorrow and are likely to climb even higher on Sunday.
The weather looks like staying dry and settled through up to late Thursday or Friday with light winds. The days are forecast to be very mild or warm in places with temperatures in the mid to high teens in some parts though several degrees cooler near coasts. Met Éireann says the nights will be cool under clear skies with some grass frost, and also some patchy mist or fog.
With summer time officially starting at 1am Greenwich Mean Time on Sunday, all clocks should be put forward by an hour. Summer time is due to officially end on Sunday 28th October.
For those ready to get out and embrace the mild temperatures there are plenty of events on across the country.
The Irish Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Day is running today with the charity hoping to raise €3.5 million this year.
More than 3,000 volunteers are out on the streets raising funds which will be used to provide cancer information and support services. Today marks the 25th anniversary of the event.
Now in its 65th year, the annual theatre festival of the Irish Student Drama Association (ISDA), which began on Wednesday, continues at UCD until March 31st with talks, workshops and of course, theatre all on the bill. Former members of ISDA include well-known names such as Conor McPherson, Fiona Shaw, Alan Standford, Barry McCovern, Garry Hynes and Pauline McLynn. Full details on this year's festival can be found at www.isda.ie
On the music front, the main draws this weekend are the Grammy-nominated artist Drake, who brings his Club Paradise Tour to the O2 in Dublin tomorrow evening and the highly-regarded British band Spiritualized, who are appearing at Vicar Street on the same night.
Other acts appearing over the weekend include the Canadian art-rock band Memoryhouse at Whelans tomorrow and up-and-coming Irish group The Ambience Affair in Cork tonight and Kilkenny the following evening.
The Russian State Ballet is in town and will be performing both Cinderella and Swan Lake over the weekend at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin. Feis Ceoil continues at the RDS Concert Hall over the coming days. The RDS is also hosting both the Spring Antiques Show and the Furniture and Homes Accessories Fair.
It is a busy weekend sports-wise with rugby, racing and more.
Brian O'Driscoll and Leo Cullen are back in action for Leinster this evening as they take on the Pro12 leaders the Ospreys at the RDS. World Cup winning second row Brad Thorn is also named in the starting line-up for the clash which is due to kick off at 7.05pm.
Delays can be expected through Ballsbridge and Sandymount; on Anglesea road, Simmonscourt road, Shelbourne road and Pembroke road. However, the heaviest traffic is likely on Merrion road.
There is more Pro12 action tomorrow evening when Connacht take on Munster at the Galway Sportsground. Kick off is at 7.45pm and delays are likely in the vicinity of the stadium before and after the game.
The Leinster Schools Junior Cup Final will take place on Sunday at 3pm when St Michael’s College take on Newbridge College at Donnybrook Stadium.
Croke Park is hosting two games tomorrow afternoon with Dublin taking on Tipperary in the National Hurling League at 5pm and then Dublin playing Donegal in the National Football League at 7.15pm. Stiles open at 4pm and traffic delays are likely in Drumcondra and in the surrounding area.
Racing is on at Gowran Park tomorrow with the first race on at 2pm.Racing is also on at the Curragh on Sunday with the first race scheduled to start at 2.30pm and the last at 5.30pm.
