Nationwide travel disruptions are expected today as tens of thousands of people take to the streets as part of an Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) "campaign of opposition to the Government's handling of the current crisis".
Protest marches are taking take place in eight locations across the country. Protesters gathered at 2.30pm in Parnell Square in Dublin, The Glen in Waterford, County Hall in Tullamore, Connolly Hall in Cork, Mechanics Institute in Limerick, The Cathedral in Galway, the blue Lagoon in Sligo and The Fairgreen in Dundalk.
A series of road closures will be implemented to accommodate each march, resulting in long delays for motorists.
In Dublin, protestersare marching from Parnell Square via O’Connell Street to Merrion square.
The south quays will be closed from Beresford Place through to Eden Quay. Stephens Green East will also close. Traffic from Leeson Street must divert via Stephens Green South, Georges St and Christchurch to access the northside of the city.
Traffic wishing to leave the city via Merrion Street must instead use Pearse Street and Grand Canal Street.
Passengers on Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann and privately operated busses may also experience some disruption to services as a result of the march.
People using Cork city and suburban services operated by Bus Éireann are advised to travel before 2pm and after 4pm. Some long-distance departures from Cork may also be affected.
Irish Rail is "not expecting the protests today to affect any trains". However, engineering works will result in closures over the weekend Grand Canal Dock and Connolly Stations.
All Northern Commuter rail services will operate to/from Balbriggan only with bus transfers in operation between Balbriggan and city centre and services between Heuston, Newbridge and Limerick Junction will also be affected.
According to the Met Office, the weather "is not going to be great" this weekend.
Further travel delays may be caused today by showers and gale winds in western parts of the country.