Traffic delays are expected around Dublin this weekend due to the part closure of the M50 motorway and a number of high-profile events in the city, writes Steven Carroll.
The M50 will be closed in both directions between the Leopardstown and Shankill exits from 8pm tonight until 11am tomorrow to facilitate essential Luas Green Line works at Cherrywood.
The Leopardstown, Carrickmines, Cherrywood and Shankill exits will all be closed and AA Roadwatch has advised that traffic diversions will be in place via the Leopardstown Road, White's Cross and the N11 at Stillorgan. Further traffic problems are anticipated in and around Ballsbridge as the RDS is the centre of action in the capital.Some 27,000 people are expected to attend the Toys for Big Boys exhibition at the RDS today and tomorrow which gives adults the chance to turn back the clock and play with the latest toys, gadgets and technologies. Rugby fans will also be following events at the RDS as Leinster kick off their Heineken Cup campaign with a clash against Leicester at 1.30pm today.
AA Roadwatch have warned motorists to expect heavy traffic around Ballsbridge from noon to 3pm. Those attending the RDS are advised to avail of public transport as parking will be limited.
Meanwhile, in the west of the country, the Ennis Trad Festival takes place. Now in its 14th year, the festival brings together the cream of Irish traditional musicians for sessions in over 20 venues around the Clare town.
One of the highlights of the weekend comes tonight as Alan Kelly and Mosaic perform in the Auburn Lodge. The festival continues until Monday and the programme of events is available online at www.ennistradfestival.com.
Writers, poets, academics and literary enthusiasts will gather today and tomorrow in Galway to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the writer, poet and political figure Oliver St John Gogarty.
The Renvyle House Hotel, the former home of Gogarty, is the setting for the inaugural Gogarty Literary Weekend. Today's line-up includes discussions on Gogarty by guest speaker Prof Brian Arkins of UCG, as well as a reading of Gogarty's first collection of poetry.
Today also sees the opening of The Gogarty 50th Anniversary Art Exhibition by Irish Times literary editor Caroline Walsh. Artists featured include Dorothy Cross, Padraic Reaney, John Coll, Brian Bourke and Róisín Coyle.
Galway's annual multi-cultural celebration, the Spirit of Voice Festival, takes place this weekend with the aim of illustrating "the changing face of Ireland and the new communities which are making this country their home".
The festival line-up includes storytelling, live music and poetry from Asian, African, South American, and eastern European artists.