With restrictions easing, here's what you can and cannot do this bank holiday weekend
Friends are now able to meet up in parks or in other outdoor settings, but unfortunately not in their own back gardens. Picture Larry Cummins
The May bank holiday weekend is upon us, and even though the weather might be against us for the most part, people will still want to make the most of their time off.
The Taoiseach's announcement on Thursday of the lifting of further restrictions over the coming weeks and months has given much hope that we will finally see the end of this pandemic.
But, while we have much to look forward to, we're not quite there yet and a number of strict restrictions remain in place.
Here is what you can and cannot get up to at the bank holiday weekend.
The majority of the country was thrilled when the hated 5km limit was lifted on April 12, meaning people can now travel anywhere within their county, or up to 20km from home, whichever is the greater distance.
These restrictions will be fully lifted on May 10, but for now, people can take the opportunity to explore areas of their own counties.
Under current regulations, a total of six people from two households are allowed to meet up outdoors. From May 10 this is expected to increase to three households with a larger number.
Friends are now able to meet up in parks or in other outdoor settings, but unfortunately not in their own back gardens.
The current restrictions do not allow any gatherings from other households in private gardens as health officials fear this will lead to people moving indoors.
From May 10, people from up to three different households will be able to meet up in private outdoor spaces, so you'll have to hold off on the group BBQ until then.
Good news for sports fans as you're now able to meet up with friends to play a game of football or a round of golf. These restrictions were lifted on April 26.
Outdoor attractions have also been open since April 26.
People are able to visit heritage sites, pet farms and zoos as long as they are within the country boundary or 20km limit.
Weather warnings for wind and rain could be issued for Bank Holiday Monday.
Met Éireann is forecasting unseasonably wet and windy weather towards the end of the bank holiday weekend.
For the rest of the weekend, it is expected to be cooler than usual for this time of the year.
Met Éireann's Siobhan Ryan says it will be a mix of dry and wet weather for Saturday and Sunday.
Ms Ryan said: "Temperatures will be a little disappointing given the time of year, values of around nine to 12 degrees for the next couple of days, that's Saturday and Sunday but at least the winds will be light.
"Now even though there should be a fair deal of dry weather, generally speaking, both those days, again probably a few well scattered slow-moving showers with risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms."
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Bank Holiday Weekend Forecast |
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Sunny spells early on Saturday will give way to patchy cloud and scattered showers once again as the day progresses. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees in light variable breezes. At night, temperatures will drop to -1 to +4 degrees in light northerly or variable breezes with a patchy frost and mist in places. |
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Hazy sunshine in the morning, however cloud will increase throughout the day. Highest temperatures again of 9 to 13 degrees coolest in the northwest in light westerly or variable breezes falling calm at times. |
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A wet and blustery start with widespread rain and fresh to strong southwesterly winds reaching near gale force along southern coasts. The rain will clear to showers from the west during the afternoon and evening as strong and gusty winds veer to the northwest with gales for a time along western coasts. Highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees. |
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