Temperatures of up to 21 degrees can be expected in some parts of the country today in what's likely to be the warmest weekend of the year so far.
Met Éireann says the midlands will see the best of the weather, while it will be slightly cooler along coasts.
The national forecaster is also predicting that the dry and warm conditions will continue into the early part of next week.
Monday will be mainly dry with hazy sunshine over much of the country with highest temperatures of 18 to 20 degrees.
The first day of the summer on Tuesday could see the mercury climb to 22 degrees in inland areas.
However, the weather is set to become uncertain from Wednesday onwards, with current indications suggesting that outbreaks of rain could push across Ireland.
The outlook for Thursday and beyond is for unsettled conditions with showers at times.
Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather told Newstalk Breakfast with Susan Keogh that the country is deserving of some sun after a pretty miserable May.
People enjoy the hot weather on Portmarnock beach in Dublin. Photo: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland"In the meteorological season, summer starts on Tuesday so we are heading towards the weather of summer," he said.
"The only thing is, today and tomorrow are probably going to be the best days that we're going to see guaranteed for the week, so make the most of the sunshine.
"It does look like Monday and Tuesday will be pretty good, maybe the west might see some rain on Tuesday for the start of summer but the eastern part of the country will see some fine weather.
"June, July and August are our three warmest months on average and much warmer than we have seen on average as well so we are heading into our summer season at least."
Mr O'Reilly added that the weather in recent weeks compared to the same period last year has been "dramatically different".
A good bit of uncertainty on weather models beyond Tuesday but wet for part of Wednesday and possibly a big drop back in temperatures with some showers for rest of week. Possibly settling down for the Bank Holiday weekend though 🤞 pic.twitter.com/ciYe3dj7GB
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) May 30, 2021
Last May, the weather station in Carlow measured 12.9mm of rain while this month, there were 123mm of rain.
"It was one degree [Celsius] over average last year and this year it was two degrees below average so it's been such a cold and wet May," he said.
"It has been a really poor May and hopefully now with this good weather, we're seeing some signals that high pressure is trying to build from the south.
"It's very uncertain from mid-week but there is some chance that we could see high pressure build towards the Bank Holiday weekend.
"So I think keep the fingers and toes crossed that when we get the outdoor dining back, the weather will start to play ball as well.
He said the weather from Wednesday onwards looks "hit or miss" and it can be "pot luck" depending on which part of the country you're in.
"We'll hope that the high pressure can build and we'll all see some sun next weekend," Mr O'Reilly added.
