It's the Easter Bank Holiday weekend which for race goers can only mean one thing - the Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Regardless of whether you're a fan of the gee gees or not it's always good fun to have a flutter on the Grand National on Easter Monday. I
The race starts at 3:50 p.m., although there will be races at Fairyhouse from Sunday until Tuesday with the races starting from 2:30 p.m. so expect a lot of traffic in the North Co Dublin and Co Meath area over the whole weekend.
In fact, traffic on all roads across the country will be very busy from today with a lot of people finishing up work early. If you are travelling this weekend make sure to leave yourself with plenty of time to get to your destination. Slow down, not only could it save your life but you might actually enjoy the journey.
DART travellers should also note that upgrades will be carried out on the line this weekend. As a result, from Good Friday until Easter Monday, DARTs will operate between Malahide and Connolly Station only, with no services south of Connolly or between Howth & Howth Junction stations.
In rugby, Munster take on Stade Francais in the Heineken European Cup, Quarter-Finals. The match kicks off at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Thomand Park. Expect the usual partisan support for the Munster side and if you need to go somewhere in a hurry avoid the Limerick area.
There is a full complement of national hurling league matches this weekend. Clare v Tipperary, Galway v Cork, Kilkenny v Offaly and Waterford v Limerick are the big four in the clash of the ash, with all game bar one being played on Sunday. A full fixture lists can be found in ireland.com's Sports Extra section.
Some other events happening around the country include the Tradition French Market and Irish Craft Village in Tralee, where 30 traders will bring a taste of France to your door. Spoil yourself with tartiflette, pommes-de-terre provencales, crepes, choucos and waffles as well as breads, charcuterie, sausages, herbs and cheeses. The village will be open from Saturday until Monday.
The North Leitrim glens walking festival, includes two days of walking with stunning viewss of Lough Gill, Glencar and the Dartry mountains. Walkers will be accompanied by experienced guides. The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday. For details contact 071-9856217
On Saturday, the Roscommon Arts Centre will have a jazz-based cabaret show celebrating love in all its incarnations and starring Maria Tecce.
On Good Friday the "Way of the Cross" procession will take place in Phoenix Park, Dublin. The procession starts at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday the Cathedral Choir will sing a selection of favourites including Handel's Halleluiachorus
On the weather front it will be a dry and mild weekend with light breezes. On Sunday there will be fog in some places but it will remain mainly dry. Winds light to moderate from the north making it feel fresh. Easter Monday could see a little rain or drizzle yet it will still feel pleasantly mild. Temperatures will range between 10°C and the low teens.
