Status Red Weather alert for Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd of March.

The Department of Education have released the following statement;

Given the disruption to transport and the safety risks arising, most particularly in relation to the ability to get home safely before blizzard like conditions hit Munster and Leinster, all schools, third level institutions, colleges and centres of further education in red areas (Munster & Leinster) will be closed tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday.

RTE news have added "The National Emergency Coordination Committee has asked everybody in Munster and Leinster to be indoors by 4 pm tomorrow and to stay there until midday on Friday."

It comes as Met Éireann issued a fresh red weather alert for Munster and Leinster for tomorrow afternoon through to Friday afternoon, warning of significant snow drifts in many areas.

It said: "Blizzard-like conditions will develop in heavy snow and strong easterly winds on Thursday evening and will continue Thursday night and Friday morning."