Met Éireann has confirmed that today was the hottest day of the year so far, with a maximum temperature of 27.7C recorded in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

Temperatures surpassed 20C at all bar one of the forecaster’s weather stations around the country, with mercury also hitting 25C and above in counties Clare, Carlow and Meath.

Temperatures are expected to dip slightly in the coming days, although highs of up to 23C are expected to continue throughout this week according to Met Éireann.

Tuesday is set to start off mostly cloudy with some patchy rain, although brighter conditions with sunny spells will extend from the west across the country through the afternoon.

Wednesday and Thursday will see highs of 17C to 23C, with largely dry spells.

The forecaster also says that current indications suggest the weekend too will also bring pent of warm and dry weather, however, there is the chance of some showers in parts of the west.