Travel Update:The east and the south will have the best of the weather for today's St Patrick's Day parades, but it will be generally mild everywhere.
While most places will have a dull start, it will generally improve in the east and south by noon. However, the north and west will have rain or drizzle which could continue into the afternoon.
Sarah O'Reilly, Met Éireann said the mild temperatures will continue. "They will be at their lowest where cloud persists at 14 degrees, but be as much as 17 or 18 degrees in the sunny spells."
Meanwhile, over the holiday weekend, the Garda Síochána St Patrick's Bank Holiday Road Safety Campaign will continue until midnight on Monday, March 21st.
A Garda Press Office spokesman said the campaign would particularly focus on intoxicated driving offences, alcohol and drugs; speed; seatbelt wearing; motorcyclists; pedestrian visibility and safety.
He said over the St Patrick's bank holiday period last year five people lost their lives and 90 were injured on the roads. "Motorists are reminded to drive carefully at the appropriate speed and ensure that they, and all their passengers, wear seat belts. Never drink and drive," the spokesman said.
Numerous checkpoints will be conducted in all Garda divisions.
AA Roadwatch yesterday advised that for the festivities today traffic restrictions will be put in place in towns and cities.
In Dublin, most roads around the parade route will be closed from 6am or 7am until 2pm or 3 pm.
Luas services will operate to a Sunday timetable. The green Luas line will operate from Sandyford to Stephen's Green and vice versa. However, it will not stop at Harcourt due to the Céilí Mór. The red line will run only between Jervis Street and Tallaght between 10am and 3pm.
Northside Dart upgrade works will not take place and there will be full rail services today and Saturday, March 19th.
In Cork, park and ride facilities will be available at Blackash near Kinsale Road roundabout in Cork city.
City centre streets will be closed to facilitate the parade which starts at noon on the South Mall and will finish on MacCurtain Street.
Traffic on the route will be restricted from early morning to immediately following the passing of the parade. There will be some minor disruption to cross-city bus services.
City centre streets will be closed in Limerick for its parade from 9am to 1.30 pm.
In Waterford the parade takes place at 1pm, starting on Lombard Street, and finishing on Vulcan Street and Thomas Street at 2pm. Restrictions will be in place from 11am until 2pm.
There will be traffic restrictions in Galway from noon. The parade begins at 12.30pm from Fr Griffen Road and continues to Wood Quay.
Extra traffic should be expected on the N11 before and after the St Patrick's Day racing festival at the Wexford racecourse. The first race is at 2:30pm and the last at 5:45pm.