Thousands of French rugby supporters are expected to converge on Dublin this weekend for the crucial Six Nations rugby clash.
Over 6,000 French fans are expected to pass through Dublin en route to Lansdowne Road for the vital match against the Irish side.
The Dublin Airport Authority has confirmed that 37 extra charter flights are due in today and tomorrow to airlift the French supporters in for the match. The majority of the supporters will arrive between 8am and 1pm.
A spokeswoman for the authority warned: "Passengers are advised to give themselves plenty of time to reach the airport to comply with check-in and security regulations." The airport is expected to be very busy again on Sunday as our French visitors return home.
Traffic will be heavy in and around Lansdowne Road before and after the match.
Ballsbridge is also hosting two shows at the RDS this weekend. The Homes Overseas Magazine Exhibition runs for two days from March 12th to 13th, and the Spring House & Garden Show kicks off at the Simmonscourt venue on Saturday 12th March and continues until Thursday 17th.
Other sporting fixtures this weekend that may cause some traffic congestion include the National Football League fixture Dublin v Westmeath at Parnell Park, kicking off at 7.30pm, and Sunday hurling matches between Clare and Galway at Cusack Park, Ennis, and Tipperary v Wexford at Semple Stadium, Thurles. Both matches start at 2.30pm.
After earlier disruption today all Irish Ferry and Stena Line sailings are back to normal. The Irish Ferries Swift sailing from Dublin to Holyhead at 6.50 am had been cancelled due to technical difficulties. All other Irish Ferries and Stena Line services are now running to schedule.
The cold weather is set to return at the weekend. Today there will be some light rain or drizzle, and it will turn very cold overnight, with some frost and a risk of ice.
Saturday will be a cold but bright day. Many places will be dry with sunny spells, although scattered showers are likely, mainly over parts of Ulster and north Leinster, with some hail and the risk of sleet on high ground.