Sunny weekend ahead with street festivals and sport on offer

The weather is set to be sunny this weekend with street festivals and a host of sport to keep everyone entertained.

Saturday will likely see temperatures of around 16 to 19 degrees across the country, according to Met Éireann. In Dublin there will be moderate breeze but mostly a mix of sunny spells and some light cloud.

Sunday is set to get warmer and national temperatures will be between 17 and 20 degrees. In Dublin the skies are set to be clear for the most part, with some patches of cloud. The weather forecast anticipates the weekend to be dry across most of the country through the weekend.

The annual Laya Healthcare “City Spectacular” street festival will take place in Dublin and Cork this weekend.

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In Dublin, the festival will take over Merrion Square in the city centre. The festival will see a street of food stalls and stands set up, as well as performers and comedy acts, breakdancing troupes, and an "imagination playground" for young children.

There will also be a “scruffs” dog show and a Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) adoption parade in the Merrion Square park on Saturday and Sunday.

Security precautions will be in place for those attending the event. An Garda Síochána have advised anyone attending the event to leave unnecessary bags at home, and people’s backpacks and large bags may be searched as they enter the festival area. Gardaí have also said all unattended bags will be removed from the area for safety reasons.

A statement from the event organisers said “we are working with An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council to ensure the safety and enjoyment for all City Spectacular patrons”. There will be some traffic delays around Merrion Square through the weekend.

The Laya street festival in Cork will take place in Fitzgerald Park, and will also have a host of food stalls, performers and a playground for children.

GAA All-Ireland hurling and football championship qualifier games are taking place on Saturday featuring Dublin, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Mayo.

On Saturday Dublin will play Tipperary in the latest round of hurling championship qualifiers in Semple Stadium at 5pm. The Semple Stadium billing is a double header, with Waterford and Kilkenny to follow with a 7pm throw in.

In the football qualifiers Mayo and Clare are to play in Cusack Park on Saturday from 5pm, and Meath and Donegal will face off at 6pm in the Páirc Tailteann stadium.