Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far, and the high temperatures are set to continue over the next few days.
So for the rest of the week the message is to keep wearing the cool summer clothes, but this is Ireland, so bring an umbrella, too. The forecast is for the weather to be generally hazy, but there could be the odd thunderstorm and the occasional heavy shower. Mostly, however, there will be sunny spells, and it will certainly continue to be very warm.
The temperatures were highest yesterday in the midlands where the hottest value of 28 degrees was recorded in Mullingar in Co Westmeath. The rest of the country basked in the warmth of highs of 22 degrees upwards. The same sort of high temperatures in the late 20s are expected for the rest of the week during the day, while the nights will be muggy and humid.
A Met Éireann spokeswoman, Ms Deirdre Lowe, said: "The temperatures are exceptional for this time of the year. It looks like it will continue to the end of the week and it will reach the same high values."
She said that the weekend could be slightly more variable but will still be good. "Apart from the occasional thunderstorm and some ground fog, it will be absolutely lovely."
We have the Continent to thank for our spell of warm weather. The easterly air flow from Europe which has sent temperatures all over the Continent and Britain soaring has finally reached Ireland.
Although Ireland's weather will not quite compare to the sizzling heat experienced in such places as Paris, Rome, Madrid and London, where temperatures are reaching the high 30s, there will be no need for the autumn jackets here just yet. Today will be very warm, close and hazy again, with sunny spells, but there will be a few showers also and a risk of isolated thunderstorms.
Tomorrow, Friday and Saturday will have varying small amounts of cloud and lots of hazy sunshine with afternoon temperatures again reaching the high 20s inland. Winds will be light and variable generally. Nights will be humid with the risk of patchy fog.
Meanwhile, hundreds of homes were without electricity last night after lightening strikes cut power from Donegal across to the east coast. The ESB confirmed crews were still working to restore power last night but expected between 800-1,500 homes to remain without power overnight.
Heatwave saps the holiday spirit in France: page 10