A nationwide fog warning has been issued with drivers heading home for Christmas being warned of dangerous conditions.
Met Eireann issued the Status Yellow alert as temperatures are set to plunge to as low as 0C on Friday night.
There will be "dense fog in many areas" and the bitterly cold conditions are posing a threat of ice on many roads.
The weather warning will be in place until Saturday at 10am.
A forecaster said: "Mainly dry tonight for much of the country. Mist and fog will be widespread, especially in the north of the country and the fog will be dense in places, leading to hazardous driving conditions.
"Showers in the south and southeast will continue for a time tonight, possibly merging into longer spells of rain.
"The rain will clear later in the night and temperatures will drop back to freezing, giving some frost and a risk of ice on roads. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 3 degrees, in near calm conditions."
AA Roadwatch said: "Very foggy conditions in much of Leinster, parts of Connacht and Cork City, with warning in place until tomorrow.
"Take extreme caution - slow down & remember fog can make tail-lights seem further away than they are."
