49 people have drowned so far this year in Ireland

Bathers have been warned to be cautious ahead of the long weekend.

49 people have drowned in Irish waters so far this year, Irish Water Safety has said. It has been the busiest swimming season in Ireland in living memory with lifeguards carrying out 149 rescues since 1 June. With good weather forecast for the long weekend, Irish Water Safety is appealing for people to stay safe around water. It has reminded the public that 80 per cent of drownings happen in the victim's home county. Alcohol plays a role in a third of drownings, while men are more likely to drown than women - 84 males drowning last year compared to 25 females. August is typically one of the busiest months for open-water bathing in Ireland. Irish Water Safety is urging that people only swim in life-guarded waterways and swim within their depth. Anyone fishing or going out on a boat is encouraged to wear a lifejacket. The weather is looking very promising for the next few days, with Met Éireann forecasting sunshine and warm temperatures. While today will see scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle at first, the weather will become drier through the day and the cloud will become more broken with occasional sunshine later on. Saturday is predicted to be generally dry and bright with highs of 19 to 22 degrees. Sunday is set to be much the same with highs of 19 to 25 degrees forecast and the best of the sunshine and temperatures in Munster and Leinster.