Travel outlook quiet before Christmas rush

No major delays on travel routes are anticipated over the weekend.

No major delays on travel routes are anticipated over the weekend.

There are no major hold-ups reported on the roads to date, although traffic is expected to be heavy on the main arteries from late afternoon onwards.

In Dublin, Operation Freeflow continues, with extra gardaí deployed at all major junctions in the city centre from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The full opening of the Kildare bypass this morning has lessened traffic volumes in the town, gardaí have reported.

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In Kerry, some minor disruption should be anticipated as a result of the launching of the "Operation Rudolph" charity cycle, which has left Killarney and is en route to Listowel. Over the weekend the race will pass through Tarbert, Glin, Foynes, Askeaton, Limerick. Portumna, Castleconnell, Nenagh and Borrisokane.

Events in the capital over the weekend include the continued staging of 'Dublin City On Ice' in Smithfield, as well as 'Christmas On Ice' at the RDS, both of which are expected to attract high numbers of visitors.

Continuing the festive theme, 'Santa's Kingdom' at Punchestown Racecourse in county Kildare will be open over the course of the weekend, while the man of the moment will also be appearing at 'Santa's Enchanted Forest' in Ardkeen, county Waterford. In Skibbereen, Cork's 'Winter Wonderland' is also set to entertain families.

A quiet weekend is in store on the domestic sports' front, although a large attendance is expected at the last race-meet of the season at Navan on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, turf attention will focus on Thurles, which will hold its last meet of the year.

Full DART and commuter train services are operating over the weekend, including southbound DART services from Connolly Station to Greystones.

Delays of up to 40 minutes are expected on Saturday and Sunday on the Inter-City rail service between Dublin and Arklow and Rosslare Europort, as bus transfers are in place between Greystones and Connolly Station.

In terms of the weather, rain will move into the west tonight, with some heavy downpours expected in the northwest, although all parts of the country will be affected.

Saturday will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, clearing to some bright spells later. Temperatures will drop on Saturday evening, and Sunday is forecast to be extremely cold, with bright spells and scattered showers. There is a risk of black ice on roads on Sunday night.