Most people with an interest in birds are aware of the exciting news that about a decade ago great spotted woodpeckers arrived in Ireland and that since then they have been breeding and spreading. 

There are fresh flood fears emerging, with heavy rain sweeping the country last night and most likely today.

A status yellow snow-ice warning was in place across the country this morning until 10am

National weather forecaster Met Éireann has issued a new weather warning today.

The summer sunshine is set to continue in to the weekend with high temperatures forecast in most parts of the country.

The rhyme goes that if it rains on St Swithin’s Day it will rain continuously for 40 days.

Gardaí are advising motorists to drive with caution this evening as icy conditions continue to persist on many roads throughout the country.

The west of the country is in for some stormy weather in the coming days.

LEGEND suggests that yesterday’s rain will lead to downpours for the next 40 days, potentially ruining the rest of July and August.

IN spite of overnight lows of -12C and daytime temperatures of just -5C expected in some parts today, the country now looks likely not to have a white Christmas Day.

Overnight temperatures are to plummet to minus 15C in parts of Ireland this week, but the ice and snow will be replaced by wind and rain from Christmas Day.

The cold snap is expected to return to many parts of the country today.

Road chiefs tonight refused to give a green light to people driving home for Christmas as the big freeze was poised to strike again.

LAST year’s cold snap led to the biggest ever insurance bill for a single weather event in Ireland, with a massive €297 million being paid out by insurers during the period.

There is a high risk of flooding in parts of the country after yesterday's heavy rain.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen was last night accused of ignoring the Government’s emergency response plans, instead, trying to pass the blame for poor handling of the severe weather crisis onto local authorities.

WITH temperatures plummeting to -5C last night motorists were today being advised to exercise extreme care while driving and not to make any non-essential trips.

MORE wintry showers are predicted for large parts of Ireland today after heavy frost caused major disruption on roads across the country yesterday.

MORE wintry showers are predicted for large parts of Ireland today after heavy frost caused major disruption on roads across the country yesterday.

Widespread ground frost has caused very dangerous driving conditions on most routes this morning.

FREEZING weather conditions will continue well into next week, with widespread frost making roads extremely hazardous but the prospect of a white Christmas is slipping away.

AIRLINE flights at Dublin airport were thrown into chaos yesterday after heavy snowfall resulted in the closure of the runway.

Motorists are being warned to take extra care on the country's roads today after Met Éireann issued a severe weather alert.

ROAD users should be extra vigilant this weekend with gale force winds and heavy rain forecast to sweep across the country, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has warned.

Motorists have been advised to exercise extreme caution tomorrow after a severe weather warning was issued by Met Éireann, predicting high winds and extensive rainfall.

Motorists are being urged to take care on the roads this morning following snow, sleet and freezing rain in many areas.

Commuters were tonight urged to take extreme care after Met Éireann issued a severe weather warning with high winds, snow and wintry storms.

AFTER some of the most disruptive conditions of the past year, more heavy rain and strong winds are forecast over the weekend with the current stormy weather likely to dominate until Monday or Tuesday.

THE highest temperature in 30 years was recorded in the sun-soaked summer of 2006 according to weather records released for the past year.

It looks like there will be no thaw in the cold weather afflicting the country over the weekend.

The passion for collecting creates as many appetites as it satisfies. Not least among these is the thrill of the chase. The same human emotions come into play whether you are at an annual pre-Christmas jewellery sale in Geneva, a record breaking Irish art sale in London, a gallery in Dingle, a house sale in Dalkey or a community hall in the wilds of west Munster.

Met Éireann has said we could be in for a white Christmas this year.

THE Golfing Union of Ireland’s plans to move its headquarters from Glencar House in Dublin to a state of the art centre at Carton House, in Maynooth, were outlined by president elect Albert Lee at last night’s meeting of Munster Branch delegates in Mallow.

The passion for collecting creates as many appetites as it satisfies. Not least among these is the thrill of the chase. The same human emotions come into play whether you are at an annual pre-Christmas jewellery sale in Geneva, a record breaking Irish art sale in London, a gallery in Dingle, a house sale in Dalkey or a community hall in the wilds of west Munster.