Birr, Co Offaly, is continuing to live up to its name, with night-time grass temperatures as low as minus 16 degrees forecast for this weekend, writes Kitty Holland
Recent nights have been "among the coldest of the past 10 years on the basis of having had very, very low temperatures across the country", Gerry Murphy of Met Éireann said.
Thursday night's air temperature in Birr dropped to minus 7.8 degrees, and the grass temperature was minus 16.
"The bitterly cold spell will continue over the weekend with further snow showers in Ulster, north Connacht and west Munster," Mr Murphy said.
Snow was lying in these areas, he said, but it was not expected to settle on the ground in Leinster.
In parts of Donegal and Sligo some schools closed again yesterday due to heavy snowfalls, but they are expected to reopen on Monday.
The AA said there was no discernible increase in road traffic accidents. "It would seem people really are heeding the warnings people like the gardaí and ourselves have been giving and have been taking it easy on the roads," said a spokeswoman.
Age Action Ireland has urged people with elderly neighbours, relatives and friends to make particular contact with them during this cold spell.
Mr Murphy said the cold weather would continue until Monday.