Rolling Updates –
“Can you share a warning to the local walkers. The big beech tree next to the Red Hughs wee gate (Top Entrance from Clubhouse into the woods) is hanging onto other trees, send a message that it isn’t safe to walk around there.”
As a result of Storm Eowyn, NoWDOC will be opening at the later time of 8pm this evening, Friday January 24th 2025. The service can be contacted on 0818 400 911 from 8pm this evening until 8am Monday morning.
Cullion Rd to Wood Rd in Letterkenny blocked until tomorrow due to fallen tree. Traffic advised to take alternative route
The Drumaghoagh to Bunagee Road in Letterkenny will be blocked due to fallen trees until at least tomorrow
Lenamore Road Blocked by Fallen Trees over night, please use diversions
L-5781 Maherdrumman closed due to fallen trees and eircom poles. DCC Roads Area Team on site. Road will remain closed to 15:00 Saturday 25th January 2025.
Lenamore Road Blocked by Fallen Trees over night, please use diversions
Update from Northern Ireland’s Department of Infrastructure –
Department for Infrastructure update on Storm Éowyn
With weather warnings still in place for Storm Éowyn, a significant number of roads are blocked with fallen trees, branches and debris.
Since midnight last night more than 1,827 obstructions on the road network have been reported to the department and these include 873 on our motorways and class A, B and C roads.
Given the extent of disruption across the road network it will take time to clear and get all roads open as normal again. Staff are on standby to respond to incidents, but our response time is being affected by the adverse conditions and incidents will have to prioritised accordingly. The safety of members of the public and our own staff is paramount.
Road users should pay heed to ‘road closed’ signs as these warnings are intended to keep the travelling public safe.
A yellow weather warning is also in place for snow and ice between 7pm tonight and 10am tomorrow morning and the ongoing storm clear up may disrupt the Department’s delivery of the winter service. While efforts will be made to salt the main strategic road network our ability to do so may be impeded by blocked roads and difficult conditions so please continue to consider if your journey is necessary and if you must travel please exercise extreme caution, stay on the main strategic network where possible and be mindful of changing conditions as roads which are normally gritted might not be. Updates will be provided once the situation has been assessed further.
NIE Networks is reminding the public to stay clear of any damaged electricity equipment and report it immediately to the Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643. Members of the public should never approach a broken pole or electricity line.
Should customers experience a power cut they can report the fault and check for updates at Powercheck NI (powercheck.nienetworks.co.uk)
Road partially blocked Ard Colgan to Cherry Avenue, Carndonagh due to fallen trees. DCC Area Roads Team onsite and hope to have fully cleared by Saturday 25th January 2025 @13:00.
Aileach Road Blocked over night by Trees Crews will clear tomorrow
Brea Road Blocked over night by fallen Trees, Roads Crews will return to clear in the Morning, please divert
Trees down at Black Farm in Buncrana crew on Site. Please approach with care.
The R246 Milford Kilmacrennan Road is blocked at Ballyscanlon with a fallen tree traffic are advised to take alternative routes
Trees Down blocking the R238 between Gleneely to Moville Road. DCC Roads Area Team currently on site. Road to re-open at 18:30.
Tree Down Ard Colgan,Carndonagh. Road Blocked DCC Roads Area Team onsite. Road to be open 18:30.
Tree has been removed and the Kilmacrennan to Milford Road has been reopened to traffic.
The Ballyare Bridge to Milford Road through Tully Mount is Blocked by fallen trees. Traffic are advised to use alternative routes
The R249 Ramelton to Ballyare Bridge Road is blocked at Claragh with Fallen Trees. Traffic are advised to use alternative route
There are trees blocking the inbound land on the R246 Ramelton to Milford Road between the Fanad Access Junction and Milford Town. Traffic is advised to drive with caution.
If anyone in the Buncrana area is needing hot water or bottles filled etc, SPAR in Umrican Buncrana is open until 10pm tonight and will be more than happy to help out.
Trees felled due to high winds are blocking the road in The Mall, Ballyshannon. Efforts to clear the roads will begin after the storm and red weather warnings have passed and it is safe to proceed.
R238 at Fahan blocked by fallen trees Roads Services Mobilising. Please use diversions
Trees Down blocking the R238 between Gleneely to Moville Road. DCC Roads Area Team currently on site. Road to re-open at 18:30.
The R255 Glenveagh Termon to Glenveagh Road is blocked with a fallen tree traffic are advised to take alternative route
The R246 Milford Kilmacrennan Road is blocked at Ballyscanlon with a fallen tree traffic are advised to take alternative routes
Trees down Culdaff to Carrowmena Road. This Road will be closed until 15:00 on Saturday 25th January 2025.
Trees down along N15 blocking carriageway, Road Crews on site, please drive with caution
Sheep on the road in Burt on Slab Road. Very narrow road so please take extra care.
Two trees down on Lifford Road just past Ballyholey turnoff heading from Letterkenny direction. Road completely blocked
R238 at Fahan blocked by fallen trees Roads Services Mobilising
eir Update Statement on Storm Éowyn
Storm Éowyn: Impact and Response by eir at 15:00 – 24.01.25
“Storm Éowyn has caused significant and widespread disruptions to telecommunications services across Ireland. The storm’s severity has resulted in approximately 26,000 fixed voice faults and 63,000 fixed broadband faults, primarily due to power outages at exchanges and on our core network. This has left approximately 160,000 homes and businesses without broadband connectivity. There are outages at approximately 30% of mobile network sites. ESB has confirmed that at least 725,000 homes and businesses are currently without power, further compounding the situation.
“To support our customers during this challenging time, eir has deployed backup power to 1,300 Fixed Network sites and 200 Mobile Network sites. eir has commenced mobile generator deployment where it is safe to do so and our teams remain on standby to restore services promptly once conditions permit.
“Service restoration for core and mobile networks will proceed as a priority. It is expected that there will be a significant number of individual faults in addition to this, but the full impact of this will only become clear after power is restored and after resolution teams have prioritised making fallen poles and lines safe. Each individual fault will require a separate repair visit, and it will take some time for the full picture to emerge.”
Drive slow on the Castletown road St .Johnston to Raphoe trees are down and are been moved by a big Tractor, Drive with care
Power pole broken and wires hanging down on R265 in Corncamble, Carrigans (F93NW2D)
Tree down at Rathdonnell School at top of the lane blocking road. Road not passable. Fallen on power lines
Two trees down on Lifford Road just past Ballyholey turnoff heading from Letterkenny direction. Road completely blocked
Sheep on the road in Burt on Slab Road. Very narrow road so please take extra care.
2:18pm:Uisce Éireann assures customers supplied by Lough Mourne Public Water Supply Scheme that every effort is being made to minimise disruption to the supply following Storm Éowyn.
Last night’s violent storm has affected operations at the water treatment plant and customers are expected to experience a loss in pressure or outages to their supply in the following areas including: elevated levels of Finn Valley and twin towns of Ballybofey Stranorlar including Meenglass, Goland, Carrickmagrath, Knock, Glencovitt, Sessiaghoneill, Cavan Upper, Cooladawson, Dunwiley, Blacklees, Lettermakenny, Creggan, Glenfin, Largnalore, Commeen, Reelin, Cloghroe, Lettermore, Kilross, Broadpath, and Meenavoy.
Uisce Éireann’s Paul Kilcoyne assured customers that Uisce Éireann is working to assess the issue and repair crews will commence restoration works once the status red weather warning has been lifted.
Customers are urged to conserve water where possible in order to protect supply while the outages are resolved. For simple ways to conserve water, check out the Uisce Éireann conservation calculator (www.water.ie/calculator) which can help people work out how much water they are currently using and how they can conserve even more.
Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.
Uisce Éireann’s customer care team is available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries. For further updates, visit the service and supply section of www.water.ie.
Uisce Éireann has also launched a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at www.water.ie.
2:13pm: The main Letterkenny to Lifford road remains closed this afternoon at Ballinalecky Cross following a serious road traffic incident.
No further details have been confirmed as of yet. Gardai say a formal update will be provided later this afternoon.
They continue to appeal to anyone out on the roads to exercise extreme caution, slow down, expect the unexpected and stay safe.
2:07pm: A water treatment plant interruption may cause supply disruptions to Cross Roads, Killygordon, Mullindrait, Ballybofey- Stranorlar and surrounding areas.Works are scheduled to take place from 4pm until 10pm today (Fri).
Elsewhere, Uisce Eireann says a water treatment plant interrupption may cause supply disruptions to Drumkeen, Corradoey, Cavan Upper, Blackrepentance, Findrum, Finn Valley, Ballybofey, Stranorlar including Meenglass, Goland, Carrickmagrath, Knock, Glencovitt, Sessiaghoneill, Cavan Upper, Cooladawson, Dunwiley, Backlees, Lettermakenny, Creggan, Glenfin, Largnalore, Commeen, Reelin, Cloghroe, Lettermore, Kilross, Broadpath, Meenavoy, and surrounding areas. Works are scheduled to take place until 8pm tonight (Fri).
The alert was in place from 7am this morning as strong winds battered the county.
An orange wind warning is now in place for Donegal until 4pm this afternoon. Strong winds are to persist over the coming hours.
A substantial amount of damage has been caused right across Donegal with over 90,000 properties without power as of 11am.
Crews will now be mobilised to assess the damage.
1:58pm: Vodafone Network Teams have been mobilised to effected areas to restore connectivity.
Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director for Vodafone Ireland has confirmed says “While the Vodafone network and services remain stable, the impact of the storm on ESB services will have a knock-on effect on the network and customer services across the country. There is currently a 14% impact of our total mobile network sites which are currently off-air. As expected, the most effected areas are Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Mayo, Sligo and the Midlands.”
“We have preplanned with supplementary power for our most critical sites. Back-up power systems have already been activated to ensure network stability. The positive news is that our Network Teams have now been mobilised to effected areas of the country and we are committed to a speedy recovery with the support of ESB,” she added.
1:55pm: Trees down on Castletown Road between St Johnston to Raphoe.
Broken pole and power lines hanging down on R265 in Corncamble, Carrigans.
Tree down at Rathdonnell School – road not passable.
1:34pm: Poles and power lines down on the road outside Donegal Harvest, Castleforward, Newtowncunningham.
1:33pm: Local Link Update: All services have been cancelled for the remainder of the day.
Service is expected to resume tomorrow (Sat).
1:24pm: Derry to Buncranna road blocked – tree and wires down at Fahan Church
1:09pm: Park View Drive, Letterkenny – tree down – blocking the road.
1:04pm: Slavery Road, Buncranna – 3 trees down and a pole.
Tree blocking Main Street, Sion Mills
12:56pm: Tree down in Portnablagh
12:54pm: Power lines down in Cnoc Fola area.
12:49pm: R-247 Tamny to Rosnakill Road blocked due to fallen trees.
R-246 Portsalon to Kerrykeel Road blocked near Portsalon due to fallen trees.
Fallen trees and ESB wires – near St Josephs NS, Rathmullan.
12:43pm: Anyone travelling on the Calhame Road in Letterkenny is advised to be careful as sheets of tin have become loose in the area.
12:40pm: Tree down blocking Glenshane Pass at Dungiven.
12:32pm: Tree and power lines down – Cullion Road, Letterkenny – not passable
12:26pm: Portsalon to Ballymagahey Road blocked due to fallen trees
12:24pm: ESB and Eir lines damaged in Anagaire.
12:22pm: Tree down in Five Points on Ardara to Killybegs Road
12:19pm: Tree down partially blocking the White Cross road linking Annagry and Ranafast.
Ramelton Road, Letterkenny – Trees down near Tara Court – road presently passable. Works will commence here later today if it is safe to do so.
R251 Dunlewey – road blocked – tree down.
12:17pm: The R251 Road near Churchill Health Centre is blocked with fallen trees.
ESB Pole Fallen across the road at Moorefield, Ramelton.
Clarcam – road blocked by fallen tree.
A number of trees have fallen along The Mall in Ramelton.
Road Blocked – Tree Down – R251 Dunlewey.
Tree down on the main road in Dunfanaghy, after the Lakehouse – passable with care.
12:06pm: Thorn Road, Letterkenny – trees down – road blocked
11:58am: Donegal is now the only county under a Status Red wind warning as Storm Eoywn begins to abate.
12 counties, Connacht, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Donegal and Cavan, are under a Status Orange alert until 4pm, while the rest of the country will be under a yellow warning until the same time.
ESB crews are set to begin work on restoring power to over 715,000 homes and business around the country, but it could be over a week before everyone is back on the grid.
11:51am: Winds appear to be easing ever so slightly in Donegal.
As of 11am, winds speeds at Finner Camp weather station were 139km/h.
They reached a huge 150km/h in the county at 9am.
While the red weather warning expires at 2pm, strong winds will persist for the remainder of the day.
11:47am: Umricam Spar & Circle K petrol station in Buncrana will be open for anyone who needs hot water and medical devices charged after the red level alert is lifted
11:45am: N15 Donegal Town to Ballyshannon – debris, branches and trees down on hard shoulder. Extreme caution advised if travelling during and after this severe weather event.
11:33am: The Foyle Bridge in Derry remains closed
11:32am: The R236 Convoy to Raphoe is blocked near Braehead Waterfall.
11:29am: Murvagh and Mullanasole – roads blocked by fallen trees – extreme caution advised.
Fallen Tree – Moylehill Road, Milford.
11:28am:
11:27am: Pettigo Road / R-232 Road blocked by fallen trees in multiple locations – Extreme caution advised.
Lurgybrack Road N13 at National School Trees down blocking the road. Works will commence here approximately 2pm if it is safe to do so.
11:26am: A number of hotels in Donegal are offering support to anyone in need during Storm Eowyn.
The Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana has a generator and is offering use of electricty to anyone who needs to charge medical devices.
Likewise, a generator is providing electricty to Caisleain Oir Hotel, Annagry. They are offering anyone without power access to their facilities.
People are reminded to not travel until the status red weather warning is lifted at 2pm.
11:17am: Tree and wires down at Finn Valley College and at Joe Kelly’s bottling store
10:59am: Winds continue to increase in Donegal.
Within the past hour, gusts of 144km/h were recorded in Finner along with mean speeds of 102km/h.
The peak of Storm Eowyn is expected to be felt in the county until 11:30am.
However, strong winds will persist throughout the day.
10:54am: Approximately 90,000 homes and businesses are currently without power in Donegal.
The impact of Storm Eowyn is being felt right across the county.
Power outages are affecting, Milford, Donegal Town, Bundoran, Dungloe, Stranolar, Ballyshannon, Convoy, Kilcar, Newtowncunningham, Creeslough, Derrybeg and Gweedore.
Siobhán Wynne, ESB Networks Regional Manager says estimated restoration times will be given tomorrow once damage has been assessed.
She anticipates it could be a week before power is restored to all parts of Donegal.
10:47am: ESB pole down near St Joseph’s National School, Rathmullen
10:36am: Tree down at main junction in Muff. Power lines also damaged.
Tree down on main Moville to Quigley’s Point road.

10:31am: Road from Kilross to Ballybofey completely blocked with trees down on both sides.
10:24am: Flights have recommenced at Dublin Airport.
The first departure of the day was a Ryanair flight to Birmingham at 9:27am.
The first arrival is due in the next few minutes.
First takeoff from Dublin Airport at 9.27am this morning 🛫 #StormEowyn pic.twitter.com/jtlTDO1mYf
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) January 24, 2025
10:22am: Trees felled due to high winds are blocking the road in the Clarcam area.
Tree blocking road at Park View Drive, Gortlee, Letterkenny.
Tree down on the Kincasslagh road leaving Dungloe.
Efforts to clear the roads will begin after the storm and red weather warnings have passed and it is safe to proceed.
10:15am: The Kilmacrenan to Milford road is blocked due to a fallen tree and wires
10:14am: Over 800,000 homes remain without power as a result of Storm Eowyn.
A status red warning remains in place for most of the country, with seven counties now under an orange level.
Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry and Limerick are now under a status Orange warning, as strong winds resulting from Strom Eowyn begin to abate.
However, a red warning remains in place everywhere else, and there is significant destruction and disruption across the country.
715,000 homes and businesses are without power in the Republic, with ESB networks saying it’s ‘unprecedented’ and that it could be ‘well into next week’ before everyone is back on the grid.
In Kerry, two families had to be brought to safely after significant damage to their homes in Ballybunion and Dingle.
In Dublin, a lamppost fell onto a house in Ringsend, while a falling tree has caused underground cables to become uprooted.
Over 300 flights in and out of Dublin Airport have been cancelled, while gusts reached 137km/h at Shannon.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin says a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group is taking place, and has described the weather event as ‘a historic storm’.
10:10am: Anyone driving on the Navenny Road, Ballybofey is advised to exercise caution as tin from the side of the GAA grounds has blown out into the middle of the main road.
Guttering blown off Navenny Grill also.
10:07am: Tree down on N13 at Lurgybrack. Road still passable
10:00am: Road Blocked – Tree Down – L-1613 Loughanure to Meenamarragh Road
09:59am: Road blocked at Cois Claidi, An Bun Beag
09:56am: Tree down on Bomany Road heading towards Letterleague National School, Letterkenny. Electiricty wires also damaged.
Road block due to large fallen tree on Kilross to Ballybofey road.
Tree down on footpath at Ballyraine roundabout, Letterkenny.
Tree blocking main N13 Burt to Fahan road.
09:51am: Roshine Brae, Maghery impassible due to fallen tree
09:46am: The impact of Storm Éowyn will be felt for many days in Donegal.
That’s according to Donegal County Council’s Director of Economic Development, Emergency Services and Information Systems, Garry Martin.
He says fallen trees and damaged electricity lines are affecting the entire county.
People travelling after the current weather warnings are lifted are being urged to exercise extreme caution due to the fallout of the storm.
However, Mr Martin has reiterated the need for people to stay safe as Storm Éowyn batters Donegal.
09:35am: Tree blocking road – R258 Closclady Road – near old Post Office
09:34am: Tree blocking road on R251 Dún Lúiche on the Gaoth Dobhair side of the village
09:29am: Tree down near Colm Dillon Cars, Manorcunningham – blocking left hand side of road towards Derry.
Power out in Drumnacrosh, Glenties.
09:27am: Gardai in Donegal are appealing to people to not leave their homes unless they absolutely have to today.
The main Lifford to Letterkenny Road remains closed this morning at Ballinalecky following a serious road incident.
The scene has been preserved for a technical examination.
Diversions are in place.
Inspector Seamus McGonigle says road conditions in Lifford and Milford are particularly treacherous as Storm Eowyn tracks across the county.
He is appealing to people to heed all warnings.
Gardai in Donegal continue to appeal to people to stay at home
09:10am: Tree down near Applegreen, St Johnston
09:09am: Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather says Donegal is in the peak of the storm around now.
He says very strong gusts of over 110km/h will be experienced for a few hours in the county yet.
At 8am this morning, gusts of 142km/h were recorded in Finner.
Members of the public are reminded to stay indoors until the red warning is lifted at 2pm.
08:34am: Wind speeds increasing in Donegal.
Gusts of 142km/h were recorded in Finner at 8am this morning with mean speeds of 102km/h.
08:31am: Reports of a very low hanging cable as you enter Newtowncunningham from Letterkenny. May pose a danger to a high vehicle.
08:23am: A status orange wind warning is also in force in Donegal today.
Met Eireann is warning of gale force southwest to west winds from Storm Éowyn.
Severe, damaging and destructive gusts of up to 130km/h are expected.
The alert is in place from 12pm to 4pm today (Fri).
08:15am: 715,000 homes, farms and businesses across Ireland are now without power.
ESB say there has been unprecedented, widespread and extensive damage to electricity infrastructure.
The utility says it is anticipating significant further outages as Storm Éowyn continues to track across the country.
An Important Public Safety Message from ESB: If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.
ESB Networks crews and partner contractors will be deployed when safe to do so, to assess the network and work to safely restore power as quickly as possible in challenging conditions.
08:13am: Tree down at Tully Tyres, Lifford Road
08:11am: All Loganair flights from City of Derry Airport are cancelled today due to Storm Éowyn. The airport is warning of other possible flight disruptions. Passengers are advised to monitor the status of their flight with the airline.
As a result of all morning flights being cancelled, City of Derry Airport and its car park will be closed until 11.45am and the airfield closed until 12.30pm.
08:10am: Ballyraine Park Health Centre, Letterkenny is closed today. They say they will monitor the weather situation closely to determine if they are in a position to reopen later.
Anyone with an urgent medical issue is advised to call 0833330282 between 8am and 6pm tomorrow.
08:08am: Emergency services had to come to the aid of two separate Kerry families overnight as extreme winds caused structural damage to homes.
Several people were brought to safety from a house in the Dingle area when the gable wall on the house was blown in.
Separately a number of people were helped to safety when the roof of a house was badly damaged in Ballybunion.
No injuries were reported in either incident.
8:06am: Derry City and Strabane District Council urging people to take all necessary precautions during the duration of the red weather warning.
8:05am: Storm Éowyn is battering Northern Ireland as well today. The region is also under a red weather warning until 2pm this afternoon.
93,000 properties are without power.
7:57am: Tree down on Ballyare Road, just after Reids.
7:54am: Post Offices will remain closed for the duration of the red weather alert. They aim to reopen when it is safe to do so.
Subject to local road conditions and power supplies, An Post is planning to run Letter and Parcel deliveries nationwide on Saturday and Post Offices will open as normal from 9am – 1pm.
All social welfare benefit payments usually payable at the Post Office on Friday will be available on Saturday and next week.
7:42am: Wind speeds of 141km/h have already been recorded in Donegal.
As the red weather alert came into force at 7am this morning the high speed gusts were recorded at Finner weather station.
Currently, the highest mean wind speeds recorded at Finner are 94km/h and 89 km/h at Malin Head.
7:29am: Gardai reminding people of dangerous and destructive winds battering Donegal
07:17am: Over 9,200 homes, farms and businesses are without power across Donegal this morning.
Convoy, Derrybeg, Dungloe, Killysbegs are Donegal Town are impacted so far.
You can check out the latest updates here – https://powercheck.esbnetworks.ie/.
7:15am: Heavy tree subsiding about 1km off N56 heading towards Glenveagh near Termon.
7:07am: Tree down on road before Glebe Road on Ramelton Road.
Front panels from building site close to Mountain Top, Letterkenny down.
Tree down near An Grianan Hotel, Burt.
Road from Breenagh to Letterkenny University Hospital reported to be relatively clear apart from debris and branches in Ballymacool area.
7:03am: Donegal County Council is warning that road conditions throughout the county are treacherous this morning.
Fallen trees are affecting numerous routes across the county as a result of Storm Éowyn.
A red weather warning is in place today from 7am to 2pm.
The Council is asking people to not travel until the storm has passed and it is safe to do so.
6:50am: Tree down at Killverry, Newtowncunningham
6:46am: N14 Lifford to Letterkenny Road closed near Tullyrap between Whitecross junction and Feddyglass/ Broadlea junction. Motorists to take alternative routes for essential travel.
6:36am: Diversions are in place at Ballinalecky Crossroads on the main Letterkenny to Lifford Road following a crash.
Diversions are in place.
6:35am: The record for the maximum ever gust of wind in Ireland has been broken overnight.
Met Eireann says a gust of 183 km/h was recorded at Mace Head, breaking the previous record of 182 km/h which has stood since 1945.
Gusts of 139 and 137 km/h were also recorded in Knock and Shannon respectively.
The latest observations excluding the offline stations (6am):
Max gusts (km/h):
– Knock 155 (Red)
– Newport Mayo 135 (Red)
– Shannon Airport 128 (Red)Highest mean speeds in km/h (Red)
– Sherkin 83 #StormÉowyn pic.twitter.com/AbdwlOmceu— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 24, 2025
6:32am: Donegal Town Pier carpark closed until 7pm (Fri)
Harry Blaney Bridge closed until 5pm this evening
6:29am: Trees down – Millbridge shop, Kilmacrennan and at Portsalon Crossroads.
6:28am: N14 Lifford to Letterkenny Road is impassable at Feddyglass (Ballinalecky to Whitecross) due to fallen trees. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes for essential travel.
6:23am: Over 8,000 properties are without power in Donegal this morning.
Homes and businesses in Convoy, Dungloe, Derrybeg and Donegal are impacted.
ESB says crews will be on the ground to restore power when the red weather warning is lifted.
6:18am:There’s a danger to life as the whole country comes under a Red wind warning this morning.
Storm Eowyn is bringing damaging and destructive gusts of over 130 kilometres an hour and is already making an impact.
The Red alert is already in place across most counties this morning – leading to extremely dangerous travelling conditions.
Schools and creches will stay closed for the day, while public transport won’t operate during Storm Eowyn.
There’s a risk of fallen trees along with wave overtopping and power outages are expected.
Already tens of thousands of ESB customers are without power and the company expects the storm will cause extensive damage to electricity infrastructure.
It’s asking people to stay clear of fallen electricity wires – and says its crews will be out to restore supply once the red warning is lifted.
Over 200 incoming and outgoing flights have been cancelled at Dublin airport.
Employees are urged to work from home where possible.