Rainy start to holiday weekend

AS THOUSANDS of holidaymakers prepare to take a break for the bank holiday weekend, Met Éireann has issued a warning of heavy, thundery rain showers of up to 50mm throughout today. It says the chances of dry and sunny conditions are highest in the east.

In Donegal the Ballyshannon folk festival is under way and traffic volumes through Ballyshannon and on the N15 Sligo/Donegal road are expected to be high.

The northwest will also see the Boyle Arts Festival continue in Co Roscommon, while the annual rowing regatta takes place in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

In Mitchelstown, Co Cork, the ‘Indie’pendence Music and Arts Festival runs until Sunday. The Coronas are headlining, with British Sea Power, Beardyman, The Minutes, Ham Sandwich, Delorentos and Fish Go Deep also on the bill.

In Kerry, the Cahirciveen Festival of Music and the Arts features free concerts, fireworks, a children’s play area, clowns, traditional music and more. In Waterford city, the Spraoí street theatre festival is under way. Derived from the Irish word for fun and celebration, Spraoí brings a carnival atmosphere to the city quays.

The All Ireland Scarecrow Festival runs in Durrow, Co Laois, until Monday. The title of the scariest scarecrow will be up for grabs.

In Oldcastle, Co Meath, the Le Chéile Arts and Music Festival celebrates its 15th year. There will be history talks, art workshops, street traders and stalls.

Camping facilities are available in nearby Loughcrew Gardens.

Castlepalooza is a boutique music and arts festival held in Charleville Castle, Tullamore, starting today and continuing until Sunday.

The Cork Pride festival for LGBT people and their friends continues until Monday. The festival is about bringing awareness of issues faced by LGBT people to the fore.

The Americana and Roots festival in Greystones, Co Wicklow, features 30 bands covering the spectrum from bluegrass to folk to rockabilly, while the Joe Dolan Festival takes place in Mullingar, with a mix of community events, theatre shows and concerts.

Meanwhile safety authorities have appealed for people to take extra care over the weekend. The campaign group drinkaware.ieand Irish Water Safety have particularly asked people to be aware of the dangers of mixing alcohol and water-based activities, while gardaí will be checking for compliance with new penalty-point requirements for seatbelts.