Temperatures to reach 26C in parts of Munster before weekend

Today will start out cloudy in most areas, with bright sunshine forecast for the southeast of the country and temperatures of 18C

Shopkeeper Mary O'Sullivan puts out the ice cream sign in anticipation of a sunny day at the small seaside shop on Redbarn beach, Co. Cork.

Parts of Munster are set for a significantly warmer end to the week, according to Met Éireann.

Showers which have dominated most of the south for the past week or so are expected to gradually clear in the coming days, giving way to sunny weather and top temperatures of 26C in spots.