Don't panic plea as the cold snap bites back

However forecasters are insisting we won't see a return to the Big Freeze.

Met Eireann said that the country will enjoy dry, sunny weather well into next week despite the below zero temperatures.

And while night-time temperatures will be freezing for the next few days, it will become less cold by the weekend, Met Eireann forecaster Jean Byrne told the Herald today.

The current dry spell will last until next Tuesday and while next week will bring the possibility of patchy rain or drizzle, there will still be "a fair amount" of dry weather next week, she said.

Last night temperatures in parts of the State dipped well below freezing, with -5.8C in Cavan and -6.8C in Collooney, Co Sligo, Ms Byrne added.

mlavery@herald.ie