Irish weather forecast: Temperatures soar to 23C as scorching weekend begins

Temperatures will soar to 23C today as a weekend of sunshine begins.

Despite the cloudy start, the sun is set to come out this afternoon bringing some scorching heat.

A Met Eireann spokesman said: "Dry today, with cloudy skies in most parts at first, but brightening up gradually, with sunny spells developing.

"Maximum temperatures 17 to 23 Celsius, coolest on the Ulster coast, in light to moderate northwesterly breezes.

Cassidy Kenny, 4, from Ashbourne, Co Meath enjoying the good weather on Portmarnock Beach, Co Dublin (Collins)

Paulina Murphy and Cosmo, a Jack Russell, both from Malahide enjoying the good weather on Portmarnock Beach, Co Dublin (Collins)

"Tonight will remain dry, with mostly clear skies. A little cooler than recent nights, with minimum temperatures of 7 to 11 Celsius. A few mist patches may form towards dawn, in light north to northeast or variable breezes.

"Sunday will be a dry and mostly sunny day, with just a little patchy fair weather cloud. Very warm in most areas, with maximum temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees, but a little cooler on eastern and northern coasts, with light east to northeast or variable breezes."

Monday will be very similar to Sunday, with temperatures slipping slightly back down to 23C.

A few showers will emerge in the evening, while Tuesday will see a mix of rain and sunshine.