National events may be affected by football

It is expected that Bloom's day in Ireland will be overshadowed by the second round game in the World Cup. Bloom's day is usually a celebration of the Dublin writer James Joyce.

In addition, it was expected that thousands would head to Holycross in Tipperary to watch Padre Pio be canonised in Rome on a large screen.

However, with Mick McCarthy's team attempting to enter the quarter-finals of the World Cup, both events could have a low turnout.

The Republic of Ireland football team have not reached the quarter finals since the tournament in Italy in 1990. Kick-off is at 12.30pm and the country is expected to come to a standstill.