All roads out of Derry were particularly busy with a number of traffic jams on the Buncrana Road, the main thoroughfare out of the city to Inishowen, as thousands decided to leave the city.

Buncrana hosted its usual throng of sun-seekers, with pubs, the military museum at Fort Dunree and Loreto House all reporting big visitor numbers.

Publican and restaurateur Jean O'Flaitheartaigh, of Main Street, called it a "brilliant Bank Holiday weekend". Business was booming from Thursday to Monday, and "the restaurant was really packed."

"We've had a steady flow from when we opened this morning," a worker at Fort Dunree said yesterday. "It's been a very, very busy day."

Sister Evelen Hallahan, director of Loreto House, told the 'Journal' that the International Flower Festival at Linsfort was packed out all weekend.

"We had between 500-600 visitors on Sunday, and its been nearly as busy again today," she commented yesterday.

In Moville, Foyle Ferry operator, Jim McClenaghan confirmed that they 'were very busy today'. He added that the town of Moville was also thronged with people.

But it wasn't all good news. Mr. McClenaghan again: "On Sunday, we had a major breakdown on the ferry. It's sod's law. The one time you have something that's normally very reliable breakdown is the very day you expect to be busiest. We were out of service from 11a.m. to after six. But we are very busy today."

Michael John McGonagle of 'Michael John's' pub in Shroove, Greencastle told the 'Journal' that trade was 'really good' over the weekend.

He added: "I was over in West Donegal this morning and the place was coming down with Northerners. It does seem that it is a bumper weekend."