Heavy winds, rainfall set to continue

Wet and windy weather is expected to continue today with a risk of localised flooding, Met Éireann has said.

Gusts of up to 120 km/h may be experienced in the north and northwest of the country.

Following a brief lull between weather systems this morning, Met Éireann has forecast a return to the wind and rain throughout the country.

Many parts of the country were affected by the poor weather conditions yesterday. Gusty winds of 130 km/h were experienced at Belmullet, Co Mayo, while high-speed ferry crossings between Dublin and Holyhead were cancelled by both Irish Ferries and Stena Line.

Sporting events including three National Hurling League matches also fell foul of the weather.

A division 1A clash between Waterford and Cork at Walsh Park was cancelled, as was the Antrim and Dublin division 1B match at Casement Park and the division 2A match between Carlow and Meath at Dr Cullen Park.

Horse racing at Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and at Leopardstown, Co Dublin, did not go ahead because of water-logging on the tracks.

Roads around the country were also affected by the winds. Fallen trees blocked roads in Cork near Whitechurch village and at Trutemper in White's Cross, as well on the Borris road in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, and at Ballykeeran, Co Westmeath.

There was flooding on some roads including at Mooncoin, between Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, and Waterford, on the Bennetsbridge-Kilkenny Park road in Co Kilkenny and on on the Stillorgan Road in Dublin.

Met Éireann forecaster Vincent O'Shea said the country could expect widespread gales and heavy rain today, which would develop in southwest and southern areas later in the morning and extend to all areas in the afternoon.

He said there was a possibility of pockets of localised flooding, in part due to the presence of water from the weekend.

"The weather will remain very unsettled for the remainder of the week, it will be windy and changeable, though the severity of winds will not be as great as on Sunday," he said.