From sunshine to snow in a week as winter bites back

WE hoped it wouldn't happen - but it has.

Snow hit the Dublin mountains this morning just in time for Easter.

Last week, we were slapping on sunscreen and basking in temperatures of more than 20C.

Today, temperatures in Dublin hit a lowly 4C and snow hit the capital just ahead of the long weekend.

These wintry scenes were captured in Glencullen this morning.

Sheep with their newborn lambs were desperately trying to keep warm in the snowy fields in unprecedented weather for this time of year.

Rain, sleet and snow hit parts of the Leinster region this morning - but it was expected to clear by mid-morning.

However, there is brighter weather on the horizon for the Easter weekend.

Cloudy and mild weather is expected on Good Friday with bright and sunny spells expected on Holy Saturday.

Easter Sunday will see mild highs of between 11 to 14C. Meanwhile, galeforce winds, snow, sleet and rain have battered parts of Britain and left around 10,000 homes across the north-east of England without power.