Weekend of welcomes begins in Ireland

The weekend of ''Irish welcomes'' to mark the enlarged European Union gets underway tonight with a package of events around the country.

Ten new member states will formally join the EU at 11pm Irish time, which will be midnight in Central Europe.

In Dublin a massive fireworks display will take place on Sandymount Strand to launch the weekend of welcomes.

In Galway the Estonian philharmonic chamber choir are performing the last concert of the old Europe.

Meanwhile in Bray a Jazz festival is welcoming performers from 5 of the 10 new EU states. Street parties are also taking place in the 10 capital cites of the new member states.