Entertainment

Temperatures soar during bank holiday weekend

Thousands make the most of the sizzling weather on the causeway coast at Portstewart Strand in County Derry on Sunday as the bank holiday weekend temperatures soar. Picture Margaret McLaughlin.
Thousands make the most of the sizzling weather on the causeway coast at Portstewart Strand in County Derry on Sunday as the bank holiday weekend temperatures soar. Picture Margaret McLaughlin. Thousands make the most of the sizzling weather on the causeway coast at Portstewart Strand in County Derry on Sunday as the bank holiday weekend temperatures soar. Picture Margaret McLaughlin.

More than 60,000 music fans of all ages gathered in the sunshine over the weekend for the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival.

Headline performances by Van Morrison last night, with lots of added street performances and events made the Maiden city music festive a roaring success.

The line up for the five day festival included performances by Buck Taylor, The Revolutionaries and Jumpin' Up.

Mayor of Derry Maolíosa McHugh said the festival included something for everyone with the May sunshine and bank holiday weekend attracting record numbers to the city.

The Mayor added that the festival had become "a huge showcase for the city."

Up to 17,000 people are expected to take part in Belfast City Marathon and Half Marathon this morning in challenging conditions with temperatures set to soar into the early 20c.

Disruption to traffic and travel is expected across the city and motorists can expect delays throughout the morning and into early afternoon.

The area surrounding Belfast City Hall will be closed to traffic from 6.30am until 10am, with disruption expected to carry on until around midday as the 26.2 mile route will pass through all parts of the city before finishing at Ormeau Park.

There will be a free park and ride shuttle bus service will run between Ormeau Park and the Belfast City Council car parks on Ormeau Avenue and Cromac Street between 10am and 5pm for spectators.

This service will operate approximately every ten minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Delays are expected along the Albertbridge Road, Holywood Road and Sydenham Bypass until shortly after 11am.

Frontrunners will pass back through the city centre on their way to the Falls Road at around 9.40am.

The area around Victoria Street will be disrupted between 9am and 11am.

The four changeover points on the marathon relay route will be impacted, with road closures at Bridge End between 6am and 2pm; Hillview Road between 9am and 2pm; Gideon's Green and Corporation Street between 6am and 3pm.