500 homes without power due to high winds

Around 500 households in parts of the west and north west are without electricity this morning, as the ESB battles to repair power-lines following high winds.

Stormy weather will feature through the next two days, with high seas and a risk of coastal flooding.

Met Éireann has an orange alert in place for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Clare until tomorrow morning, while there is a yellow warning for Munster, Leinster, Cavan and Roscommon.

Forecaster Eoin Sherlock said that when this poor weather system moves on, there's more to follow.

"It will be quite a blustery day (today) with heavy showers and a risk of hail and thunder," he said.

"A secondary system is developing for later on Thursday, affecting the south of the country first with heavy rain and strong winds.

"Colder air will move into the north of the country so we can expect snow and sleet showers in the northern part of the country later on Thursday night and into Friday morning."