Large crowds will gather in north Roscommon this afternoon for the official opening of the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships.
It's taking place at 4 o'clock in Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle - where two flights a day will take place until next Friday.
Hot-air balloon experts from the US, UK and elsewhere are taking part.
They include Englishman Richard Phillips, who explains how a balloon takes off:
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