A long-awaited spell of settled weather has reached the country this week, with Friday set to see temperatures of up 21°C.

Met Éireann has said that temperatures will rise from Thursday on into the weekend.

On Thursday, highs of 13°C to 18°C are forecast and Friday will be mild again, with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 21°C.

The highest temperatures will be seen along the west coast of the country, according to Met Éireann.

Relief

The good weather will come as a huge relief to farmers across the country, as much of the spring fieldwork has been put off due to the wet and cold conditions in recent weeks.

Many farmers have also had to keep stock housed for longer than usual or have been forced to rehouse stock as a result of the bad weather, with fodder supplies running low in some areas.

Additionally, grass growth rates have been below anticipated levels for this time of the year, therefore the rise in temperatures will bring it a well-needed boost.