Widespread snowfall and extremely treacherous road conditions were reported by Met Éireann yesterday. However, milder conditions are forecast for the new year weekend.
Snow fell heavily in the northwest, particularly in Sligo and Mayo, and sporadically across the rest of the country yesterday, leading to reduced visibility and dangerous road conditions.
Ireland West Airport at Knock, which is situated on high ground, was one of the worst affected areas in the west of the country with a number of incoming flights diverted to Shannon because of fog. Flights to the UK were also cancelled.
The problems caused by a heavy early morning snowfall at the airport were compounded later by a blanket of fog and access to the airport proved difficult because of slippery roads.
The windy gap route through the Ox Mountains between Ballina and Tubbercurry was blocked for a time by cars which were unable to negotiate the narrow pass in the snow.
There were also a number of minor accidents on the Sligo Road out of Ballina but no serious injuries were reported.
Traffic delays were reported in Fermanagh after an oil tanker became stuck on a hill due to snowy conditions and in Cork where an oil tanker and car collided, leading to an oil spill, according to AA Roadwatch.
By late afternoon, however, temperatures across the country were rising and snowfall was replaced with rainfall.
Michael McAuliffe, weather forecaster with Met Éireann, said weather conditions would be much milder in the climax to New Year's Eve, making further snowfall in the coming days unlikely.
Instead, New Year's Eve will be a blustery, showery day and the first day of the new year will be dry with many sunny spells.
Alan Richardson, acting chairman for the National Safety Council, said there had been only one fatality on the roads over the Christmas period.
"The indication is that the safety message, through Met Éireann, the AA and ourselves is out there and people are being cautious on the roads. It doesn't always follow that poor weather conditions result in increased accidents. At this time of year, a lot of people are off work and simply don't have to travel."
However, despite the forecasts for milder weather conditions, the National Safety Council has advised motorists to exercise extreme caution in areas where snow is thawing, particularly in remote and high-ground areas where frosty conditions may linger.