A relatively dry weekend has been promised country-wide by Met Éireann with a slight cooling of temperatures this evening, rising to slightly above normal tomorrow and Sunday.
No-one could have missed the sight of Armagh's orange and white sheep which featured on RTÉ during the week. However, Armagh's footballers will hope they will escape the soaking promised the same said sheep by Met Éireann's prediction of rain in the North-East.
Indeed, save the North-East, the weather is set to improve throughout the weekend with sunny spells promised just in time for Sunday's All-Ireland Football Final.
The usual traffic restrictions will apply for the big game with patrons reminded that parking in the vicinity of the ground is banned and cars parked illegally are liable to be clamped or impounded. Motorists are being warned to expect delays on all routes in and around the city.
Delays may be compounded by Dublin's participation in National Car Free Day with restrictions imposed on Parliament Street, St. Andrew Street, Midddle and Upper Abbey St (except exit from Arnott's car park 9am ' 6pm). Dublin Bus is participating by providing free travel from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The families of Green Party TDs will be erecting an ad hoc beech to mark the day. They will be relaxing on deck-chairs under the shade of temporary palm trees at the junction of Grafton Street and St Stephens Green at 2.00 p.m.
In the same vicinity, delays may also occur when the Reclaim the Streets group event near St Stephen's Green begins at 2.30 p.m.
Expect delays and changes to usual routes in other locations taking part in this year's Car Free Day. They are: Cork, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, Greystones, Kilkenny, Limerick, Portlaoise, Waterford and Newcastle West. Some streets will be reserved for pedestrians and non-car travel.
Bus Éireann is offering free travel on its fleet during specified periods on its city services in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Travellers are advised to contact their Local Authority for specific regional details.
There are no problems to ferry services into and out of Cork, Rosslare, Dublin and Dun Laoighre. Delays are not expected at Dublin Airport, Cork or at Shannon. As usual, passengers are advised to check with their carriers before traveling.