Transport links across Ireland have been severely affected by the adverse weather conditions, with forecasters predicting worse to come.
Snow and ice are making driving conditions hazardous across the country and public transport has been badly hit.
Services in and out of Dublin airport have been halted until 12.30am at earliest following heavy snowfalls over the airport from 7pm. Dublin Airport Authority was forced to stop flights this afternoon to allow snow and ice clearing teams to clear the main runway, taxiways and associated areas. The airport briefly reopened at 7pm but was forced to close soon afterwards.
A number of ferry services have been cancelled and Bus Éireann is reporting delays and cancellations.
Dublin Bus advised customers there is a limited bus service operating due to extreme weather and icy road conditions. The company said it is being further worsened by traffic congestion and slow speeds across the city.
Dublin Bus said the number 2, 3, 4, 7(a), 11/a/b, 13/a, 14/a, 15/a/b, 17, 17a, 18, 19/a, 27, 29/a, 31, 32, 38, 40/a, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46a, 47, 66, 67, 77, 83, 102, 104, 114, 120, 121, 122, 128, 130, 140, 142, 145, 150 151 are operating "with a very limited service" and that service on all other routes had been cancelled.
At a severe weather briefing in Dublin today, experts warned the snowy conditions will last until at least next Wednesday, with further record temperatures expected overnight and tomorrow night.
Met Éireann said today freezing temperatures broke records in parts of Ireland last month. It said most weather stations around the country recorded the coldest November since 1985.
Irish Rail is operating a full service at the moment although some delays can be expected, particularly on routes through and from Connolly station in Dublin. The Luas is operating as normal.
Hundreds of schools have been closed across the country. A list of those schools can be found at www.schooldays.ie
Dublin Swift sailings between Holyhead and Dublin Port were cancelled today. All passengers were being accommodated on the Irish Ferries Ulysses cruise ferry. For further information contact Irish Ferries central reservations on 0818 300 400.
AA Roadwatch warned fresh and compacted snow was a major problem in the Leinster and south-east regions, with icy stretches in the southwest, west and northwest.
The areas around Tullow and Bagenalstown in Co Carlow and Thomastown in Co Kilkenny are dangerous and gardaí are advising against any unnecessary journeys.
Motorists travelling on the N2 Dublin/Monaghan Road through Co Meath are advised the road is impasssable through Slane and also through Collon in Co Louth.
The N2 is passable with care at Kilmoon Cross. There are extremely slippery conditions along the M3 between Kells and Clonee, particularly in the right lane and on the N1 between Julianstown and Drogheda.
Conditions are very bad around Athlone and on the M6 Dublin/Galway Road. The Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap are impassable and there are extremely icy conditions along the N11 through Wicklow.
In Dublin, it is very icy on the M50 in both directions between Firhouse and the M50/M11 merge, though the route has been gritted.
It is very slippery on the N4 in both directions between the M50 and Leixlip. The Enniskerry Road and Kilgobbin Road are impassable and it is extremely dangerous on Knockmaroon Hill into Chapelizod.
Irish Rail said a man received treatment after falling into the gap between the train and platform when stepping off a Dart carriage at Tara Street Station in Dublin. His injuries are not believed to be serious.
The Defence Forces are continuing to help transport palliative care nurses and medicines to isolated patients, bringing nurses to hospitals who live in remote areas and assisting with 'meals on wheels' services around the country.
University College Dublin's campuses at Belfield and Blackrock closed at 2.00pm today followed by Trinity College this evening due to the deteriorating weather conditions. Both universities may remain closed tomorrow. Students and staff are asked to consult the colleges' website for updates.
There will be further hail, sleet or snow showers in east Leinster, as well as parts of east Munster today. Some wintry showers may also affect the north and the northwest coasts. Overnight frost, ice and any fog will be slow to clear as day time temperatures will generally stay below freezing.
In Cork, soldiers in 4x4 vehicles and some using snow chains, were transporting patients from Cork University hospital to Cobh. Nurses were being taken to work from isolated areas in parts of Galway and Cork.
Home help staff, community nurses and medicines were being transported to patients in remote hilly areas of Wexford and around Galway, while troops were on standby to assist doctors on call in Wicklow.
Support was being given to palliative care nurses and medicines to isolated patients attending Harolds Cross, St Francis, Mulingar and Drogheda hospices. Soldiers are also assisting in the delivery of hot meals to the elderly in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, and Athlone.
Fine Gael today accused the Government of learning nothing from the adverse weather which affected the country in January. The party's transport spokesman Simon Coveney said the Government had failed to put basic structures in place.
“The Minister for Transport and the National Roads Authority (NRA) have been reassuring us in recent weeks that they are ready for any cold snap that may occur. But that is clearly not the case," he said.