Thousands get on the move for Christmas

Hundreds of thousands of Irish people will get on the move today and tomorrow as they make their way home and abroad for Christmas…

Hundreds of thousands of Irish people will get on the move today and tomorrow as they make their way home and abroad for Christmas.

Almost 920,000 people will pass through Dublin Airport over the Christmas period, making this festive season the busiest on record.

Tomorrow looks set to be the busiest day before Christmas at the airport, with 75,000 people expected to travel, while Friday, December 30th should see more than 71,000 passengers, making it the busiest day after the break.

More than 300 charter flights have been added to the schedule for people heading to winter sun and ski destinations, including Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Innsbruck and Salzburg.

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Traveller numbers using Cork airport are up 20% on last year, with 95,639 passengers expected through its doors over Christmas. Tomorrow will be the airport's busiest day with 8,412 people on the move.

Shannon airport is gearing up to handle 100,000 passengers in the holiday period.

Travel services throughout the country will also be busy. Iarnród Éireann expects 400,000 passengers to use its Intercity services, while Bus Éireann predicts its passenger numbers will reach up to 250,000 between tomorrow and January 3rd.

The Irish Ferries Cherbourg to Rosslare Cruise Ferry Sailing at 6pm this evening has been cancelled. Stena Line sailings are running to schedule.

AA Roadwatch is predicting heavy traffic on all key commuter routes from lunchtime today and is advising motorists to keep speed down, ensure all passengers wear their seatbelts and never drink and drive.

Those heading west can expect a faster trip, thanks to the new N4/N6 Kilcock-Kinnegad toll motorway and the Loughrea by-pass, which is expected to reduce journey times between Dublin and Galway by 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, bookmakers Boylesports have cut the odds on a white Christmas from 6/1 to 7/2 and Paddy Power is offering 4/1 bets for snow on Christmas Day.

Met Éireann, however, is predicting a dry, bright Christmas with the weather turning cooler on Christmas night. Frost and fog are likely at night.