Transport services shutting down earlier today

Thousands of people will be travelling by car, train, bus or plane today to get home in time for Christmas.

Transport services are closing down earlier then usual today and passengers are advised to check travel websites.

Most Irish Rail trains stop by 9pm today. There will be no services on Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day.

Bus Eireann is also curtailing its services tonight, with no buses on Christmas Day.

Dublin Bus will stop most of its services by 9pm, excepting some serving Heuston Station and Dublin Airport and Port, with no service on Christmas Day.

There will be no Luas from 8pm tonight until 9am on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people will go through the country's airports this festive season.

Passenger numbers are up by 10% compared to last year, mostly due to the milder weather.