Ireland is set to enjoy some good weather at last with a warm spell forecast for St Patrick's week.
People off for the double bank holiday will enjoy sunny spells on Thursday before the arrival of even better weather on Friday.
The tail-end of the four-day weekend will be mainly dry with more sun on the way, according to Met Eireann.
Meanwhile, one weather expert has said the country is set to benefit from "a nice settled spell" throughout March.
Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather said on Sunday: "Some showers tomorrow and again on Wednesday but apart from that very little rainfall showing on weather models for next 7-10 days. We could see a nice settled spell for rest of month."
He added: "Heads up to the shops out there, get those 99 ice cream machines fired up for Thursday."
Before then, the rest of Monday will see sunny spells in most areas and just a few well-scattered showers, with highest temperatures of 8 to 11C.
Monday night will be cold and clear with temperatures falling to between -2 and 2C with some light breezes, bringing frosty patches throughout the country.
A Met Eireann forecaster said: "Tuesday will start off dry and mostly cloudy with perhaps a few bright spells in the east.
"During the morning rain will develop in west Connacht and west Ulster and spread southeastwards through the afternoon. East and south Leinster will stay dry. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10C.
"A cloudy to overcast night [on Tuesday] with outbreaks of rain or drizzle in light variable winds. A clearance will develop in western areas later in the night. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5C generally, but dipping near freezing shortly before dawn in the west with a touch of frost possible there.
"Cloudy and damp conditions with rain and drizzle to start in most areas [on Wednesday]. Drier and sunnier weather in the west will extend eastwards through the morning, brightening up in eastern counties later in the afternoon.
"Well scattered showers will also follow. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10C.
"A dry and clear night with light winds to start [on Wednesday night]. However cloud will thicken from the west overnight with some showery rain moving in off the Atlantic overnight. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4C, coldest in the east with a touch of frost there."
They continued: "St Patrick's Day will bring a mix of well scattered showers with dry and sunny periods. The longest dry spells will be in the south and east.
Highest temperatures of 9 to 12C with moderate to fresh southwest winds. Becoming dry on Thursday night with long clear spells and light southerly winds. Lows of 2 to 5C.
"Friday currently looks to bring plenty of dry weather with sunny spells. Cloud will build a little during the day with some drizzle possible in the south. Highs of 9 to 12C. Breezy at times with moderate to fresh southerly winds.
"Current indications show that the weekend will be mainly dry with light winds and sunny spells. Mainly clear and cool at night with possible frost."
