Sun comes out for weekend festivals

Festival organisers around the country were thanking their lucky stars this morning as the rotten weather of the past number of days broke just in time.

In Co Louth, the Tain Summer Festival was kicking off this morning with the arrival of the traditional march into Dundalk marking the start of the festivities.

Jedward are due to play live on Market Square in the town along with free entertainment by local musicians with something on offer for all the family

Meanwhile Dublin's famous Viking past comes back to life this weekend with the first ever Clontarf Viking Festival.

The event will include the re-enactment of a Viking battle, a replica Viking village, historical walks and Viking games.

It's part of plans being made for 2014, to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf which claimed the life of then High King of Ireland, Brian Boru.

In the south-east, world renowned travel writers have descended on Lismore, Co Waterford this weekend for the annual Festival of Travel Writing.

Speaking at the event tonight is Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler.

Founded almost 40 years ago the popular travel companion has become a must read for millions of globetrotters.