Forecasters are predicting a prolonged period of good weather expected to last for a marathon ten days.

After a winter of torrential rain, the clear skies will come as a welcome relief.

However, forecasters warned temperatures will remain relatively cool as the mercury struggles to rise past the low teens.

Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather said: ‘We finally look to have a long settled spell of weather ahead as lows give way to high pressure building near Ireland.

‘After some showers today and Saturday, we will see very little rain for 7-10 days. Good sunny spells but temperatures a little cooler.’

And Met Éireann agrees: ‘Saturday will be a bright day with sunny spells and scattered showers.

‘Showers will die out in the west during the afternoon, but will continue in the east until late evening. Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees with moderate west to north-west breezes, later decreasing light variable.’

‘Sunday will be a largely dry day with bright or sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees with light easterly or variable breezes. Sunday night will be dry and clear. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees with mainly light easterly breezes.’

The really good news is that forecasters are confident most of next week will remain dry.

‘Monday will be dry with sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees, warmest in the west and coolest in the east with moderate easterly breezes. Monday night will be dry with lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees,’ said the national forecaster.

‘Tuesday will be mainly dry. It will be cloudier with a few showers possible in places through the day. It will be cool and breezy with highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees and fresh easterly winds.’

It continued: ‘Wednesday will continue mainly dry with bright or sunny spells. However, some showery rain is possible in the southwest. Highest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees with moderate to fresh easterly winds.’

The really good news is that temperatures are expected to increase towards the end of next week.

‘Current indications suggest that Thursday and Friday next will continue largely dry with sunny spells and temperatures increasing to the mid or high teens,’ says Met Éireann.