Cork Airport is gearing up for one of its busiest weekends of the year as over 53,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend.

While tens of thousands will take the opportunity to travel overseas for the long weekend, thousands more will jet off to the Cheltenham Racing Festival in the UK.

This Friday, March 13th will be the busiest day of the weekend for arrivals, as visitors touch down from the UK, Europe and further afield for St Patrick’s Day festivities in Cork and across the south of Ireland.

The highlight of the weekend’s celebrations will be the St Patrick’s Day parade in Cork city, which starts at 13:00 and will feature over 3,000 participants.

To celebrate the national holiday, Cork Airport will host a showcase of traditional Irish music and dance this weekend, with a programme of entertainment taking place in the terminal building.

From Thursday afternoon through to Tuesday afternoon, there will be daily performances by local musicians taking to the stage area in arrivals, offering a true Irish 'céad míle fáilte' for those landing at Ireland’s gateway to the south ahead of St Patrick’s Day.

Ahead of the busy St. Patrick’s bank holiday weekend, Niall MacCarthy, managing director at Cork Airport said: 'We in Ireland are blessed to have a national day which is known the world over and a branding which resonates in every country without prompt. St Patrick’s week starts the tourist season and we in Cork Airport have a feast of traditional music and song to celebrate our national culture and to welcome visitors and locals together to Cork.'

Last week, Air France resumed its daily service to Paris Charles de Gaulle.

The French flag carrier, having completed a very successful winter season at Cork Airport, will now offer even better year-round connectivity to the French capital, throughout Europe and across the world through its hub airport at Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Air France will increase the number of Cork to Paris flights further in July and August, with 10 flights per week during peak summer season.

With both Friday and Saturday expected to be the busiest days of the weekend for departures, Cork Airport advises those travelling to arrive at the airport in good time to ensure a smooth and hassle-free airport experience.

Passengers are advised to arrive at least 90 minutes before their flight is due to depart.