LAST UPDATE | 30 Jul

UNSETTLED WEATHER IS forecast over the bank holiday weekend, with sunny spells, isolated showers, and general uncertainty.

There are a plethora of events on over the weekend, most notably All Together Now at Curraghmore estate in Co Waterford, which kicks off today.

The Bray Air Display takes place on Saturday, and the Rush Harbour Festival and Airshow runs from today until Monday. In Galway, the races are to continue until Sunday.

Today will be a “brighter and fresher day” with spells of sunshine and scattered showers, mainly affecting Connacht and Ulster. Highest temperatures will range from 15 degrees in the northwest to 22 degrees in the southeast.

Friday will see similar conditions. Scattered showers will spread across the country from the west. Highest temperatures are forecast between 15 and 21 degrees. It will be warmest in the south and southwest.

Heading into Saturday, it will be mostly dry. Met Éireann has forecast highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees. As the day progresses, it will become cloudier, with light rain and drizzle developing in the southwest by the morning.

“There is some uncertainty in the forecast for the rest of the August bank holiday weekend,” the forecaster said. 

It said currently, it appears Sunday will be cloudier with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, although the northern half of the country may be drier, with sunny spells possible.

Monday will most likely be mainly cloudy with the potential for more widespread rain.

Water safety

Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, organisations including Water Safety Ireland, the Irish Coast Guard, and RNLI have urged the public to take extra care around the coast and familiarise themselves with local conditions before entering the water.

The organisations are also encouraging beachgoers to read local safety signage, check for potential hazards such as rip currents, and to swim at a lifeguarded waterway if possible.

The groups also noted that lifeguards are “busy dealing with incidents involving inflatable toys and air mattresses, which are lightweight, unstable, and can quickly drift out to sea, or capsize unexpectedly, leaving users at risk”.

The public has been reminded to check the tide times before venturing out, and to remain alert to rising tides to avoid stranding if walking along the shore.

People can also avoid cold-water shock by entering the water slowly, and swimmers have also been urged to be aware of rip currents, which can rapidly carry you away from shore.

Meanwhile, swimmers are urged to stay within their depth, leave inflatable toys at home, and let someone ashore know where you are going and when you are due back.

People should also carry a means of calling for help, such as a fully charged mobile phone or a marine VHF radio.

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or think that they are in trouble, use marine VHF radio Channel 16 or dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.