Irish beaches full as temperatures soar

Tourists were flocking to Ireland’s beaches today as temperatures soared over the bank holiday break.

Thousands of holidaymakers headed for the coast and leisure festivals to enjoy the warm August sunshine and temperatures of up to 25C (78.8F).

More than 140 folk dancers from six countries were performing in the South East as part of the International Folkdance Festival.

Groups from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Slovakia and Bosnia Herzegovnia were displaying traditional European folkdance in their national costume at venues across the region.

A craft and dance exhibition was being held in Bree, Co Wexford, as part of the celebrations.

In Waterford an estimated 50,000 people crowded on to the quays for last night’s Spraoi Street Festival while an open-air event was staged on Wexford Town’s Quay Front.

Meanwhile gardaí were carrying out a bank holiday road safety campaign in a bid to save lives on the roads.

Operation Taisteal came into force on Thursday and runs until midnight tonight.

It is focusing on speeding, drink driving, the non-wearing of seatbelts and the behaviour of young drivers.

The crackdown was launched as Transport Minister Seamus Brennan announced that nearly 40,000 drivers had incurred penalty points during the system’s first nine months in operation.