• Dublin Airport flights resume
• Cork, Shannon, Belfast and Knock airports open
• Some delays/diversions on Bus Éireann routes
• Some curtailments on Dublin Bus services
• Full services on Intercity, DART and commuter routes
• Full services on Luas Red and Green lines
2310 That's all for tonight at RTÉ.ie. Check back in tomorrow morning for what is sure to be another busy day on the roads and at the airports, as thousands try to get home for Christmas.
2245 Twitter update from AA Roadwatch: Freezing fog is causing problems around Limerick City tonight. Very poor visibility.
2240 AA Roadwatch says that delays have eased on the N3 Navan Road outbound.
2200 Want to see how the others live? Watch Marina Fitzgerald's Nine News report on how other European countries cope with severe weather.
2109 RTÉ’s Ray Kennedy says European airlines and airports are prepared to work through Christmas Day if needed.
2057 Dublin Bus has said that due to severe traffic congestion at the Blanchardstown Centre and on approach roads to the centre, services to the Blanchardstown area have been severely delayed and disrupted.
2052 Gardaí have appealed to motorists to avoid the N3 Navan Road outbound, extremely long delays on all approaches to Blanchardstown from the M50 through to Clonee. Clonsilla Road is also very heavy in both directions.
2050 Bord Gáis says it is working to fix a gas outage in Kingscourt, Co Cavan, which has affected around 80 customers. The company expects most customers to get their supplies back either tonight or tomorrow morning.
2020 AA Roadwatch on Twitter: 'Severe black ice on the M7 between J9 Naas North and J10 Naas South. Freezing fog in the area. Slow down!'
1955 Met Éireann says there will be further snow showers on the east coast during tomorrow with freezing fog persisting in places. Otherwise it will be dry and bright.
1945 British Midland International (BMI) said it is back operating a full schedule to and from London Heathrow.
1925 The National Severe Weather Committee has said it is confident it will have enough salt supplies to keep the national primary routes open in the lead up to Christmas. Further shipments are due to arrive over the next few days.
1855 Gardaí wish to advice motorists that traffic volumes in the Blanchardstown area are extremely heavy this evening due to road conditions and rush hour traffic.
1810 The last Bus Éireann service this evening from Dundalk/Drogheda to Dublin will operate at 1830. The last service from Dublin to Dundalk/Drogheda this evening will operate at 2100.
Routes currently disrupted include:
Route 3-Dublin - Rosslare via Tullow 1730 service cancelled
Route 12: Dublin-Limerick -1830 and 2000 departures from Dublin cancelled.
Route 33: Dublin-Derry - Operating with delays 2300 departure from Dublin cancelled.
Route 115: Dublin-Mullingar -1715 departure from Dublin cancelled.
1750 AA Roadwatch reports long delays on M50 between Junction 9 - Red Cow and Junction 7 - Lucan. Heavy traffic reported in Dundrum and Rathfarnham. Very long delays reported around suburban shopping centres in the capital.
1720 One of colleagues is travelling home to the midlands tomorrow. She is worried that the weather may be so bad she 'won't be able to get to the pub for Christmas Eve'.
1700 AA Roadwatch says secondary routes in Ulster and Connacht are dangerous this evening because of freezing temperatures.
1655 Knock Airport said that 'all flights today have operated without disruption with over 3,000 passengers passing through the airport thus far with only slight delays on some flights'.
'No disruption is expected to the remainder of flights for the rest of the day.'
1645 The offices of Leitrim County Council will close on 23 December and reopen on 31 December. From 24 December to 30 December between 9-6 members of the public may call: 1890 302 302 or 071 9620005.
1640 Bus Éireann Nightrider services from Dublin to and from Drogheda, Meath and Kildare are cancelled tonight.
Some Cork city services in hilly areas on the northside and southside are disrupted, as are some services in Co Cork.
Routes currently disrupted include:
Route 3-Dublin – Rosslare via Tullow 1730 service cancelled
Route 12: Dublin-Limerick –1630, 1830 and 2000 departures from Dublin cancelled
Route 21 Athlone-Westport – 1630 service from Athlone cancelled
Route 33: Dublin-Derry – Operating with delays 2300 departure from Dublin cancelled
Route 115: Dublin-Mullingar –1715 departure from Dublin cancelled
1635 Met Éireann says it will be extremely cold tonight with lowest temperatures of between -6C and -12C.
1627 Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has warned householders that water pressure will be reduced again in most areas tonight.
1625 Dublin Bus said it intends to operate a full service this evening and tonight and to operate Nitelink services.
1620 The St Stephen's Day meeting at Limerick Racecourse has been abandoned after an inspection of the course. It will continue as a three-day festival (27, 28, 29 December).
1618 Luas is putting on extra trams on Thursday 23 December and on Christmas Eve in the final run-in to Christmas.
1616 The Irish Road Haulage Association has criticised the NRA for failing to facilitate the demand to move freight during the busiest time of the year.
1612 Reports of no water in much of Westmeath. The County Council has a list of locations where there are standpipes for people to get water.
1607: Gardaí are advising people to avoid St Mary's Square in Athlone as it is sealed-off after a fire at two businesses there and diversions are in place.
1600 Irish Rail update on Twitter: '16.30 Connolly to Wexford operates to Gorey only this evening. Customers for south of Gorey should travel on 17.30 Connolly to Wexford.'
1544 Cork City Council's Roads Maintenance division will carry out full salting/gritting runs on routes that 'prioritise main traffic routes and bus routes'.
1535 Severe Weather Alert Update:
Air temperatures will remain well below freezing in many areas for the rest of today, with ice and compacted snow persisting. Snow showers affecting northwestern and eastern counties will produce further accumulations of 2 to 5cm in places.
1520 The Department of Education and Skills is to meet unions and school management in January to discuss the impact of the weather.
The Department said that reopening schools before 10 January is unnecessary and there would not be enough time to notify parents, pupils and staff.
1414 The M7 motorway between Castletown in Co Laois and Nenagh in Co Tipperary has opened.
1350 Extra Ryanair flights Thursday 23 December
Brussels – Dublin
Dublin – Brussels
Dublin – Edinburgh
Dublin – Liverpool
Dublin – London Stansted
Dublin – Paris (x2)
Dublin – Poznan
Edinburgh – Dublin
Liverpool – Dublin
London Stansted – Dublin (x2)
Paris – Dublin
Poznan - Dublin
1340 The National Roads Authority has announced that a surprise shipment of 3,000 tonnes of salt arrived in Dublin Port last night!
The NRA said this has already been distributed to local authorities around the country.
1323 Update from the midlands: There was little improvement on roads around the midlands this morning.
The M6 is reduced to one lane at Kinnegad, drivers are asked to stay in the slow lane as there is compacted snow and ice on the fast lane.
Roads in Athlone town are passable, but roads on the outskirts of the town and housing estates remain treacherous.
Conditions are very icy throughout Co Longford especially on the Lanesboro to Roscommon, Granard to Castlepollard and the Drumlish to Roscommon roads.
Conditions are hazardous along the M7; with traffic down to one lane in parts, both directions between J18 Portlaoise and J9 Naas North.
Also down to one lane on the M9 from the M7 Interchange to J3 Athy.
Extremely icy conditions throughout Kilcullen. Main Street is passable, but extreme care needed.
1313 The snowy weather will never put a stop to one very important journey. Watch Santa set off from Finnish Lapland.
1306 Listen to the latest weather reports on the News At One. Live now
1259 Ireland West Airport Knock is currently open and fully operational.
1257 Ryanair has announced 18 extra flights tomorrow to clear the backlog.
1246 Leopardstown's St Stephen's Day fixture has been postponed and rescheduled for Thursday, 30 December.
1245 Heathrow boss Colin Matthews has decided to forego his 2010 bonus following the recent chaos at the airport.
1217 Northern Ireland's main transport company, Translink is reporting widespread disruption to services today
1155 RTÉ's Jennie O'Sullivan in Cork says the City Council has water service crews on standby in the event that a sudden thaw causes problems with the water supply over the Christmas period.
Road conditions in the city, especially on high ground, remain very dangerous.
1154 The Defence Forces are continuing to support local communities around the country during the current severe weather episode.
They are transporting doctors and nurses to various hospitals and medical facilities around the country.
1150 Over 70,000 passengers will pass through Shannon Airport over the festive period as people travel to spend the Christmas break with families and friends.
1148 P&O Ferries services on the Dublin - Liverpool route are currently operating on schedule.
Their final pre-Christmas departures from Terminal 3, Dublin Port, are 2130 Wednesday, and 0930 and 2130 Thursday.
Sailings will operate at the same times ex Liverpool.
Motorist spaces can be booked at 01-4073434, or www.poferries.com Call 0871- 6646464 if phoning from the UK.
1145 The IFA have said that greater co-ordination and co-operation between farmers, local communities and agencies is required to formulate a speedier and more effective response to the effects of snow and ice.
The association said many of its members across its network of almost 1,000 branches have equipment available that can assist in keeping minor and secondary routes open.
The IFA President John Bryan has sought a meeting with the National Emergency Response Committee to discuss his association's strategy to alleviate the worst effects of the severe weather conditions on farm families and rural dwellers.
1142 Cork City Council is continuing to make grit available free of charge to members of the public.
Collections daily from 10am-4pm
Locations: North: Knocknaheeny Avenue off Harbour View Road at ex-Housing Area Office depot. South: Roads South Depot at Ravenscourt, Skehard Road.
1137 Fuel supplier Topaz says it is using smaller trucks to ensure that deliveries are made to more remote and rural areas. A spokesman said that if the need arises, local arrangements will be made to ensure that supplies continue to as many customers as possible.
1125 An Post says deliveries are slower than normal and staff will be working long and late to get Christmas cards and parcels delivered in time.
A spokesperson said there have been problems getting to collections in west Cork and Wexford because of heavy snow falls yesterday.
Up to 6m items are posted every day - twice the volume compared to other times of the year.
Spokesperson Anna McHugh says there is 'a monumental effort' underway and staff will be working up to Christmas to ensure items are delivered.
1106 40,000 passengers at Dublin Airport from yesterday along with 10,000 people whose flights were affected early this morning are joining 60,000 people who were already scheduled to fly today.
1104 Ryanair's fleet of over 200 aircraft are almost all in operation and they are experiencing only minor restrictions at some UK airports.
1103 Dublin Airport Authority says the weather remains clear and much of the backlog should be cleared in the next 24 hours!
1101 Aer Lingus and Ryanair say they're operating at close to normal capacity on short and long haul routes today out of Dublin airport.
Both airlines say their priority remains getting people home for Christmas, as many thousands of passengers whose flights were cancelled are still being rebooked onto services today.
1055 When you get home, what Christmas films are you going to watch in the luxury of your living room? Get inspired here
1044 Morning Ireland asks how this cold spell compares with past winters? Listen to the interview
1030 Don't forget that details on flights (arrivals/departures) at Dublin, Cork and Shannon are available from Aertel page 570.
1028 Some good news... The ship carrying salt supplies to Ireland is on time! It is expected to dock late tonight or early tomorrow morning, the National Roads Authority has said.
1026 The Luas red line is now fully operational again.
1004 AFP is reporting that 15% of flights at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will be cancelled this evening, with a further 25% set to be cancelled tomorrow as more heavy snow is forecast.
1000 Gardaí are at the scene of a collision between a car and a Luas tram at Blackhall Place in Dublin. As a result the Luas red line is only operating between Tallaght and Blackhorse, and Smithfield and the Point.
0945 AA Roadwatch on Twitter: Darts are moving again, after a problem at Dun Laoghaire.
0925 Irish Rail on Twitter: Southbound DART services delayed: medical personnel attending for person at Dun Laoghaire.
0900 We've managed to get a few of your photos up - check out today's gallery here. We will add more throughout the day but if you don't see yours then apologies in advance. We are getting literally hundreds of photos each day!
0847 Dublin Airport update: A number of flights have departed and arrived since restrictions were lifted.
Aer Lingus says its first flight to arrive into Dublin was flight EI 104 from New York which landed just after 8am. Aer Lingus has hired additional aircraft and will operate ten extra flights today to the United States and several destinations around Europe.
Ryanair says many of its flights due to arrive into Dublin will be ahead of schedule.
0845 Ireland West Airport (Knock) is open and operational - subject to weather conditions. A spokesperson for the airport advises passengers both in the UK and Ireland that there maybe disruption to today's flight schedule. Passengers are advised to consult with their airline or airline's website before going to the airport.
0840 Latest weather forecast:
Isolated hail or snow showers in coastal districts of the east, the north and the northwest; elsewhere dry with sunny spells but patches of freezing fog will linger in some inland locations. Ice and compacted snow will persist in most areas also. Highest temperatures -7 to +1 degrees Celsius.
0832 The lowest recorded overnight temperature in the North was -15C in Castlederg, Co Tyrone.
That doesn't even seem astonishing anymore. That says it all, I guess.
0829 This has absolutely nothing to do with the weather but I can't get that Horse Outside song out of my head. Make it stop.
0820 Full list of Bus Éireann disruptions here.
Full list of Dublin Bus disruptions here.
0818 Sligo's national primary and secondary Roads and Sligo town centre streets have been treated. Temperatures as low as -10 degrees have left some roads in very dangerous condition, and pockets of freezing fog are causing an additional hazard on parts of the N4 in particular.
0805 Aer Lingus and Ryanair are providing live details of their flights. (Note: Flight number required for Aer Lingus).
0738 Dublin Airport on Twitter: Flight operations resumed at 7.15. We are concentrating on departing flights initially. Inbound transatlantic services will be accepted.
0730 Apparently Bono and The Edge were on the 2.30pm Cork to Dublin train yesterday after their flight to Dublin was diverted to Cork. Many thoughts spring to mind, most of which I’ll keep to myself. I wonder what they made of the sandwiches on the train?
0725 Luas Red and Green lines both operating a full line service.
0708 In Northern Ireland the freezing weather continues to make driving conditions treacherous. The Ambulance Service has suspended transport for non-emergency patients until Christmas Eve.
0704 News flash: Dublin Airport Authority has said that flights into and out of Dublin Airport are to resume immediately.
0700 Morning Ireland has just started on RTÉ Radio 1. You can listen to it here
0650 Right, an update is in from Bus Éireann. Here goes..
Most Bus Éireann services around the country are operating as per normal this morning with some delays and diversions in affected areas. The main commuter and inter-city routes in the east and north east are operating this morning with some delays. Some town-to-town services in the north east are currently disrupted.
Road passenger services currently affected by weather and road conditions include some services in the east:
Route 2: Dublin/Rosslare - 0800 departure from Dublin cancelled
Route 33: Dublin/Derry - 1000 departure from Dublin cancelled
Route 100 Newry/Drogheda - Operating with major delays, not serving Ravensdale or Monasterboice.
Route 100X Dundalk/ Dublin - Operating with major delays
Route 101 Drogheda/Dublin - Operating with major delays.
Route 101X Drogheda/Dublin - Operating with major delays.
Route 111 Cavan/Athboy - Cavan-Granard only.
Route 111: Dublin/Athboy - Operating with delays - no connection to Cavan leg of journey.
Route 121: Edenderry/Tullamore - Operating, but not serving Croghan or Rhode
Route 126: Dublin/Kildare - Operating; not serving Kill or Johnstown will be reviewed later
Route 132: Dublin/Tullow - 0630 departure from Tullow cancelled
Route 133: Dublin/Wicklow - Operating, 0800 and 1300 departures from Arklow to Wicklow, and 1030 departure from Wicklow to Arklow cancelled. Services not serving Leg of Mutton, will operate via Main Street
Route 161 Dundalk/Carlingford/Newry - Operating, not serving Whitestown.
Route 163 Drogheda/Donore - Cancelled.
Route 166 Dundalk Carrickmacross - Not serving Inniskeen. Cavan service cancelled.
Route 167 Dundalk/Ardee - Operating via M1, not serving Tallanstown/Louth/Knockbridge..
Route 182 Drogheda/Ardee - Operating via M1 only.
Route 187 Oldcastle/Kells - Not serving Moynalty.
Route 189 Drogheda/Clogher - Cancelled.
Route 190 Drogheda/Laytown - Cancelled.
Balbriggan Town Service - Cancelled
Drogheda Northside & Southside Town Services - Cancelled.
Dundalk Town Services - Not serving Marian Park or Coxes.
0644 AA Roadwatch on Twitter is well worth a look for the latest on the roads.
0633 Dublin Airport update from RTÉ's Fran McNulty:
Around 14,000 passengers affected this morning (up to 8am).
Concentration will be on departures to clear space and there will be knock-on affect to flight schedules. By the time the airport reopens 90 flights will have been disrupted.
0630 AA Roadwatch's latest national summary report:
Severe weather conditions around the country and freezing fog in western areas. Slow down, increase your braking distance and use fog lights in affected areas.
LEINSTER
WICKLOW Compacted snow & ice affecting roads in Rathdrum, Roundwood & Wicklow town, Co Wicklow. * Avoid Kilgarron Hill in Enniskerry, Wicklow Gap and the Sally Gap.
WEXFORD Extremely slippery around Wexford Town.
LOUTH/MEATH Severe snowfall has reduce visibility around Ashbourne and on the N2 & M2. Black ice on the N2 Ardee/Slane Rd. Peter St in Drogheda is closed at present due to severe ice. Georges St is also impassable.
WESTMEATH Icy roads particularly on less travelled routes around Mullingar and Athlone.
KILDARE Gardai advise that Leixlip Village is impassable and should be avoided. * HGVs should avoid Kilcullen and Sallins, as trucks are getting stuck on hills. * Traffic is down to one lane both ways on the M7 and the M9 between J3 Athy on the M9 and J10 Naas South on the M7.
LAOIS Heavy snow & ice on the M7 both ways between J18 Portlaoise & J9 Naas North. Poor visibility.
MUNSTER
CORK Treacherous in Bantry and Glengarrif Rd just off the N71.
KERRY Icy around Kenmare, Listowel, Tralee and Killarney. Conor Pass and Molls Gap are closed.
LIMERICK Icy conditions on secondary routes in Limerick City.
CONNAUGHT
ROSCOMMON Rural roads out of Roscommon Town are in poor condition. * The N60 Roscommon/Castlerea Rd is so icy & there has already been a minor collision here this morning. * Slippery on the N63 Roscommon/Longford Rd.
LEITRIM Very icy on the N4 at Carrick On Shannon, with slippery conditions in the town and in Ballinamore as well.
GALWAY Ice & snow all around Clifden.
MAYO Freezing fog around Castlebar, Westport, and Ballina.
SLIGO Ice and snow in many parts of Co. Sligo. Freezing fog on the N4, N17 and in Collooney, use fog lights in affected areas. The Mall Carpark and Connaughton Carpark remain closed.
ULSTER
MONAGHAN Very icy on secondary roads in Monaghan town and care is needed on main routes there as well. * Packed snow & ice on all routes in Carrickmacross and very bad on Carrickmacross/Kingscourt Rd (R179).
DONEGAL Treacherous around Glenties. Avoid Barnesmore Gap and Meenaroy on the Letterkenny/Fintown Rd (R250). * Compacted snow and ice throughout Co. Donegal. * Very icy around Ballybofey on the N13 Letterkenny Rd, the N15 Donegal Rd and the Lifford Rd.
CAVAN Watch out for patches of ice on N3 Cavan/Dublin Rd at Virginia.
0615 You know the drill well enough by now, but just in case you don't, you can get involved by clicking on the Comments tab above. Is there anybody out there or am I typing all of this for nothing? Anyone, anyone, Bueller...?
0610 Latest from some travel companies:
Luas - Red and Green lines operating normally this morning.
Iarnród Éireann - Full services are continuing to operate throughout the network across Intercity, DART and Commuter routes. Some delays may occur where snow is being cleared from points, or there are other weather-related problems, however we will get customers to their destinations. Customers are also advised to allow extra travel time to get to stations due to poor road and footpath conditions.
Dublin Bus - due to adverse weather conditions, diversions and curtailments are currently in place. There may be delays in the service due to slow traffic. Road conditions are very icy across the city and Dublin Bus will continue to monitor all routes and corridors throughout the day and will update the information on their website frequently.They will make every effort to operate as many services today as possible weather-permitting.
0605 Roads update:
Dundalk: No snow - Roads are very icy, all routes are described as hazardous.
Ardee: No snow - Hard frost overnight - minus 7 - motorists urged to drive with care.
Bray: Minor snow showers overnight - Roads are hazardous.
New Ross: No snow - sub-zero temperatures - main roads are ok, side roads dangerous.
Monaghan: No snow - minus 10 - Hard frost and icy conditions.
Cavan Town: No snow fall - Main roads ok , side roads dangerous.
Sligo Town: No snow - Freezing fog outside the town. Driving conditions described as dangerous.
Donegal Town: No snow fall - Freezing fog driving conditions still treacherous - minus 10.
Castlebar: No snow - Freezing fog, roads ok however, urging drivers to proceed with caution. Minus 10 degrees.
Tralee: No snow - roads are very icy, primary roads are ok, side roads are extremely dangerous.
Ennis: No falls of snow - Roads described as not too bad.
Clifden: Very light dusting of snow -- Primary and Secondary roads are very icy.
Bandon: No snow - conditions are described as ok.
0600 Good morning and a happy Christmas to all. Well, is anybody still dreaming of a white Christmas? I'm not. All I'm thinking (dreaming) about is how I'm going to get home to the west on Christmas Eve. And white is officially now my least favourite colour.
But enough of my ramblings. Here's the latest weather forecast:
Freezing fog, frost and ice persisting throughout today. Dry and bright in much of the country, however some heavy sleet and snow showers will continue to affect parts of the east coast.
Some snow showers are likely to spread further inland and along northern coasts. Highest temperatures of -7 to 1 degrees.
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