Secondary school students from County Clare emerged unharmed after the bus they were travelling in caught fire along the M7 motorway.
The students who attend St Josephs' Community College in Kilkee, were travelling to Emerald Park in Co Meath when the bus caught fire, just after 8am.
Emergency services were called to the scene along the Dublin bound carriageway of the M7, between the Roscrea and Borris-in-Ossory junctions. Both sides of the M7 were subsequently closed to traffic as firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control, and diversions were put in place.
The bus driver has been credited for bringing the students off the coach to safety after the fire hit the back of the bus.
It was reported that another bus collected the students and brought them to Emerald Park for their tour.
Speaking about the incident, Principal Rita Heir said the school was "delighted to report that all students, the bus driver and staff are safe and nobody was injured."
"We would like to thank all services involved for dealing with the incident promptly and organising alternative transport to continue the trip," she added. "Students arrived to Emerald Park and are enjoying their day out as planned".
News of this comes a week after a man in his 60s was killed after being struck by a bus at Dublin Airport, which happened along the Corballis Road shortly after midnight, with emergency services responding immediately.
A spokesperson for DAA, the operator of Dublin Airport confirmed the unfortunate news in a statement, where they extended their sympathies to those affected.
