Serious flooding is causing traffic chaos in Galway city centre and has forced some shops to close early this evening.
AA Roadwatch has warned that all routes into the city are affected.
The docks, Fr Griffin Rd and Siobhan McKenna Rd were all completely impassable at around 7pm.
Traffic is already heavy in the city due to the Westlife and Shayne Ward concert in Salthill's Pearse Stadium which was scheduled to start at 5pm.
The AA has also advised motorists elsewhere in the country to reduce speed, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and use dipped headlights to improve visibility because of the very wet road conditions.
Heavy rain and gale force winds are predicted for Northern Ireland overnight.
Up to 40 millimetres of rain is expected to fall over some parts. Forecasters say the weather conditions are very unusual for the time of year.