The summer holidays are upon us with eight weeks of freedom as far as school kids are concerned but for parents two long months that need to be filled with activities and entertainment.

Around 20,000 benefits cheques will be delayed next week as a result of industrial action, welfare chiefs warned today.

The National Museum of Ireland will be closing its premises on Kildare Street and Collins Barracks in Dublin and its Country Life site in Turlough Park in Castlebar, Co Mayo tomorrow.