Thousands to attend Bray Summerfest

Thousands are expected in north Wicklow over the next two days for the opening weekend of one of the country’s biggest beach festivals.

Bray Summerfest runs until early August with an eclectic line-up of outdoor concerts, fireworks, food markets and street theatre.

Highlights include a beach volleyball contest in a specially built sand arena involving the bikini-clad women’s Team USA and a Ferris wheel.

The festival also promises a wealth of street performances, outdoor markets and a rocking musical line up.

Organisers warned that traffic restrictions will be in place in the town today and tomorrow.

Wexford GAA fans travelling into Dublin for the Leinster GAA Football Championship Final are advised to use alternative Dart stations.

Legendary U2 tribute act Rattle & Hum headline tonight, supported by Baby Jenx, Nightbox, Colm Lynch, Manila Strings and emerging all-girl act Oh My God.

The line-up continues tomorrow with a programme that ranges from the best in pop from Franklin, Amy and Key West to the acclaimed Dublin Gospel Choir.

There will also be Ireland’s largest Jubilee Ferris Wheel and funfair all on Bray beach plus kiddies’ bouncy-heaven at Bounceworld on the Seafront.

Sports fans are in for a treat with the return of Women’s Team USA for the two-day Coca-Cola International Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Eight of the top US athletes will perform in regulation bikinis in a specially-constructed all-sand stadium arena.

Tomorrow night will draw to a close with a massive fireworks display over the town.

Last year more than 60,000 visitors attended the festival which has become one of the best known in the country.

Further details can be found by logging on to www.braysummerfest.com