Gardai are advising motorists of increased volumes of traffic on most of the main roads around Mayo this afternoon, with a busy weekend of culture, entertainment and sport underway.

Festivals in Ballina and Westport are bringing a tourism and traffic boost to the county, with a number of sporting events also attracting large numbers.

The Battle of Ballina began this afternoon inside that the last hour (2pm).

That’s the culmination of the 5-day ‘In Humbert’s Footsteps’ festival, and re-enacts the clash of General Humberts’ French Troops with the English Redcoasts on Pearse Street and O’Rahilly Street.

The festival, which has been underway since Wednesday, draws to a close tonight and is expected to bring tens of thousands of extra visitors to Ballina.

Meanwhile, the main Castlebar to Westport Road is said to be busier than usual this afternoon with large numbers travelling to the second day of the Westport Festival of Music and Food.

Headliners this evening include Bryan Adams, Sinead O’Connor and Bell X1 at the two-day event which is underway at Westport House.

Motorists are advised to park legally at the designated car parks around the town. Details of these are available at www.westportfestival.com.