Parts of Ireland are set to bask in the sunshine later this week as temperatures are set to reach those similar to popular holiday destinations.

The country has been enjoying balmy weather and blue skies in the last few days, and Met Eireann says conditions will improve even more this week.

While the mornings are still leaving a lot to be desired, summer holidays feel closer than ever as temperatures will reach 18C to even 21C towards the end of the week.

Met Eireann says the hottest day this week will fall on Friday, with highs of 14C to 21C, hottest in the western counties.

This means that parts of Ireland will be as hot as the Canaries, with Spanish weather experts promising 21C in Gran Canaria.

Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly also says that some islands in the Canaries may actually see more rain than Ireland over the next five days.

Whether you’re jetting off on holiday this week or not, it seems you won’t be missing out on the sun either way!

Meanwhile, Tuesday will be breezy, with easterly winds increasing moderate to fresh.

Met Eireann said: ‘Staying dry for most with spells of sunshine, though somewhat cloudier in places early on with a few passing showers, mainly across northwest counties.

‘Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees, mildest away from east and southeast counties.’

Meanwhile, Wednesday will be dry with spells of sunshine, but cloudier in the Munster region with highs of 11C to 14C.

Temperatures will begin to pick up significantly on Thursday, with highs of 13C to 18C.

Looking to the weekend, Met Eireann says it will remain mostly dry with light winds and good spells of sunshine, as well as above-average temperatures for late April.

Unfortunately, though, some scattered thundery showers may also feed up in the flow, so maybe don’t put away those umbrellas just yet!