Sweltering summer weather set to stay

By Mícheál Lehane THESE hot days can't last forever but thankfully the rising temperatures show no sign of dropping for one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Everyone from king goats to international pop stars will be sunsoaked during the next few days.

Some 135,000 Robbie Williams fans are set to see the star perform live at a sun-kissed Phoenix Park in Dublin today.

And while there might be the odd shower over the weekend it won't dampen the heatwave that has lifted the spirits of the nation this week.

A high of 28°C was again recorded in Clare and Offaly yesterday and the dry spell will continue into next week.

It's the kind of weather that perfectly suits the puck goat who will be crowned King of Killorglin, Co Kerry, on Sunday to mark the beginning of the three-day Puck Fair festival.

This weekend also sees the opening of the 30th Kilkenny Arts Festival. Artists from more than a dozen countries are exhibiting at the 10-day gathering. Exhibitors of a different kind will bask in the sunshine at the Dublin Horse Show that runs until Sunday.

But one place where the temperature promises to soar is at Croke Park where Cork take on Wexford in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final. Throw in here is at 3.30pm on Sunday.

Expect plenty of heat too in Castlebar, Co Mayo, where Galway and Donegal battle it out on Sunday afternoon in the All-Ireland football qualifiers.

The National Livestock Show takes place on the grounds of Charleville Castle in Tullamore, Co Offaly on Sunday, and the event will attract more than 40,000 visitors.

Meanwhile, two young boys, aged 8 and 13, had a lucky escape yesterday afternoon when they were carried out to sea on an inflatable dinghy.

The two drifted over a mile from Stradbally beach near Castlegregory, Co Kerry, just after 1pm.

The boys were rescued by a passing boat, the Isaac One, and the Fenit Lifeboat was also called to the scene.