Ireland is at a standstill after a severe snow storm pummelled the island.

Thousands of people were stranded up and down the country after significant snowfall Wednesday made the roads impassable.

The snow and ice have hammered air and road transport, particularly in Dublin and the eastern half of the country.

A severe weather warning is in effect overnight with temperatures expected to drop to -8C (17.6F) following heavy snowfalls today.

Dublin Airport was closed down in the mid-afternoon because snow and ice were making the runways dangerous.

Tourists and commuters have been left to find alternative means of transport as bus services in the east of the country were canceled including all services in Dublin.

The national bus service Bus Eireann said they would review service in the morning.

Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath and Louth were all hit by the snow storm after another very cold night of ice, sleet, snow and freezing fog.

There was also heavy snowfall in parts of Co Carlow and Co Kilkenny.

Secondary roads are said to be very icy across counties Kerry, Cork, Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Wicklow, Offaly, Kilkenny and right through Connacht.

The extremely cold weather is the coldest for about 30 years and could last at least another week.