Dublin Airport is expecting more than 850,000 people to travel to and from the airport for its busiest period of the year so far.
Passenger numbers are forecast to build steadily over the St Patrick's Festival period for St Patrick's Day celebrations, the Six Nations rugby and the Cheltenham Festival.
Between today and next Wednesdayaround 433,000 passengers are set to arrive at Dublin Airport, with around 418,000 departing.
Departures are busy this week as as thousands of horse racing fans head over to the south of England for the Cheltenham Festival which runs until Friday.
Up to 10,000 rugby fans are then expected to arrive at Dublin Airport for the Six Nations rugby clash at Aviva Stadium on Saturday between Ireland and Scotland,
While tens of thousands of visitors will arrive through Dublin Airport from all over the world to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
The busiest days of the period are set to be Friday March 13th and Sunday March 15th when around 116,000 passengers are forecast to travel through the airport.
The days in the run up to St Patrick’s Day are set to be very busy in the airport’s arrivals halls with between 50,000 and 60,000 passengers forecast to arrive in each day between Friday and the big day on Tuesday.
daa, the operator of Dublin Airport is advising passengers travelling over the coming days to arrive two hours before a short‑haul flight and three hours before a long‑haul flight to give themselves enough time for their journey.
Head of Media Relations, at daa, the operator of Dublin Airport, Graeme McQueen said this is always one of the best weeks of the year at Dublin Airport with the Cheltenham Festival quickly followed by the St Patrick’s Festival.
"The fact we have the Scottish rugby fans travelling over in the middle of it all, with both countries still in with a chance of winning the Six Nations championship, means this year is going to be extra special," said Mr McQueen.
"If that wasn’t enough, Mother’s Day is this Sunday, so we’re also going to be seeing lots of heart-warming family reunions over the coming days, while many Ireland residents will also take advantage of the bank holiday to jet off for a city break or for some spring sunshine overseas," he added.
Among the programme of entertainment in the airport's Arrivals Halls are face painting, music acts, Irish dancing groups and stilt walkers.
Meanwhile Shannon Airport is expecting 40,000 passengers to travel through its doors.
Niall Kearns, Airport Director, Shannon Airport said St. Patrick’s Day is always a special time at Shannon Airport.
"It traditionally marks the start of the tourism season for many," he said. " This year’s passenger numbers show the continued confidence of our customers, and follow a strong start to the year, with average passenger growth of 7% across January and February."
Shannon Airport’s terminal building is going green again as it takes part in the Global Greening along with other buildings across the country and around the world.
