Irish Examiner view: Blow winds and crack your cheeks

The Arklow Rogue makes its way past the oil chemical tankers Thun Gemini, Thun Granite and Thun London that were taking shelter yesterday from the incoming Atlantic Storm Barra just beyond Roches Point lighthouse in the mouth of Cork Harbour. Picture Dan Linehan

It’s that time of year for battening down the hatches, or clambering on the high stool as the wind and rain rage outside. Storm Barra, a name associated indelibly with the mythology of Cork, is coming to town.

Today’s weather warning covers Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Galway, with winds expected to reach mean speeds of 65 to 80km per hour and severe or damaging gusts of up to 130km per hour. The highest marine alert, red, has been applied to Ireland’s south-west coast from Mizen Head to Loop Head to Slyne Head.