THE JUNE bank holiday weekend features many festivals and sporting events include Bloom garden festival at the Phoenix Park, the 27th Flora Womens Mini Marathon and the Maritime Festival which takes place in Dublin’s Docklands.
And, of course the continuing Volvo Ocean race festival in Galway.
Among the many attractions at Bloom, which has already attracted thousands of people since it opened on Thursday, is a replica of Michelle Obama’s White House vegetable garden.
Motorists are advised that the Ashtown Gate entrance to the Phoenix Park will be closed each day from 10am until 6pm. However, a courtesy shuttle bus will be running from Heuston Station to Bloom and back throughout the day.
Visitors to the maritime festival in Dublin will be able to climb aboard a number of tall ships including the Atlantis, Lord Nelson and The Eendracht.
For land lubbers there will be free entertainment along the quaysides and an outdoor summer market.
Beyoncé appears at the O2 this evening. Other music-related events happening this weekend include the Life Festival at Ballinlough Castle, Athboy, Co Meath, which is headlined by Future Sound of London, and a Vicar Street appearance on Sunday by Antony and the Johnsons.
Motorists are advised to expect man traffic delays around Ballsbridge with RDS playing host to both the Womans World exhibition and the FCI European Winners Dog Show.
On the sporting front, theres plenty happening with action from the League of Ireland and the GAA Championship.
Meitheal Mara’s annual rowing race ‘Ocean to City – An Rás Mór’ from Crosshaven to Cork City takes place today with Currach Crews from around the world taking part.
Up to 10,000 athletes are expected to take to the streets of Cork for the Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon on bank holiday Monday.
In Dublin the 27th Flora Women’s Mini Marathon is expected to attract over 40,000 entrants. A number of roads will be closed from 6am onwards to facilitate the race including St Stephen’s Green, Earlsfort Terrace. Lower Leeson Street, Hatch St, Fitzwilliam Place, Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Street, Kildare Street and on Nutley Lane.
Traffic diversions will also be in place on Mount St, Northumberland Rd, Lansdowne Rd, Pembroke Rd, Merrion Rd and on the N11/Stillorgan Road from Belfield to Donnybrook, Donnybrook Village, Morehampton Rd and Leeson St.