The heatwave looks set to peak today when it will be another very warm day with temperatures in the high 20s.
A southerly breeze blowing in from the Atlantic will provide some welcome relief to many places which sweltered on one of the hottest days of the year yesterday.
A high of 29 degrees was recorded in Kilkenny city, coming in a close second to the hottest day of the year when 29.1 degrees was reached in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, last Tuesday.
The midlands experienced the highest temperatures in the State yesterday with 28.4 degrees recorded at Birr, Co Offaly and 27.7 degrees reached at Claremorris, Co Mayo.
Met Éireann is forecasting that the high temperatures will return today and, while they are "unlikely" to rise to 30 degrees, averages of 25-28 degrees are expected again.
"If we're going to reach 30 degrees it'd be today but I don't see that happening," said Met Éireann meteorologist Mr Aidan Nulty.
"Any early morning fog and mist will clear to leave another very warm day," said Mr Nulty.
The sunburn index, which measures the extent of ultraviolet radiation will be categorised as "high" again today with a burn time of 40 minutes for those with normal skin, according to Mr Nulty.
"Those with fairer skin should be warned the burn time will be a lot less than that," he said.
A cooling down of temperatures is expected for the weekend, which many concert-goers will welcome.
There will be a change from the hot sunshine to cloud and the possibility of occasional showers. Sunday is expected to be sunny with temperatures remaining in the low 20s.
"It will be warm and sunny but won't be as hot as this week, which a lot of people will welcome, I imagine," said Mr Nulty.
The general forecast for today is mist and fog clearing in the morning, to leave another dry very warm day with good sunny spells.
There will be highest temperatures of 22 to 27 degrees in a freshening southerly breeze.
The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had several emergency calls to treat animals locked in cars yesterday. An officer with the society told The Irish Times that he had several calls to rescue pets locked in supermarket car parks yesterday.