Heavy downpours with thunder and lightning is bringing huge weather-related disruption to the eastern half of the country this evening.
There has been traffic chaos for commuters, with roads and public transport badly affected, and motorists have been asked to take extra care.
Met Eireann forecaster Matthew Martin said the heavy deluge of rain, which is falling this afternoon, would ordinarily only happen “once or twice a year”.
A significant 22mm of rainfall fell in the Phoenix Park in Dublin during a five hour period and 12.2mm was recorded at Dublin Airport by 2pm.
Meanwhile, all Iarnrod Eireann services are suspended for a number of hours between the capital and Maynooth this evening after lightning hit the track and damaged signalling.
Dublin Bus are ferrying customers to Maynooth and Dunboyne by shuttle bus, while Longford and Sligo customers have been asked to use alternative transport.
Meanwhile, Dublin Fire Brigade were called out to deal with spot flooding at Churchtown, Terenure, Grafton ST, Rathmines, IFSC and College Green.
The heavy showers are due to ease up at about 9pm as drier weather moves in from the west.
Flooding forced the closure of the National Gallery of Ireland on Dublin’s Merrion Square this afternoon as urban areas were hit hard.
In a statement it said: “Today’s sudden rainfall resulted in flooding in two of the gallery’s back of house staff areas. As a precautionary measure the gallery has closed this afternoon. It will reopen [on Wednesday].”
“None of the public areas of the gallery were affected.”
Met Eireann forecaster Matthew Martin said: “The worst of the showers today were in Leinster and moved into Dublin.
“Obviously the fact that heavy downpours struck an urbanised area such as Dublin at its peak I suppose would be somewhat unfortunate.”
Mr Martin continued: “The whole Dublin area would have seen something similar say 10mm to 15mm in Leinster and up through south Ulster as well.
“There was some heavy showers in Armagh, into Louth and Meath as well.”
The forecaster said we can expect much drier and brighter conditions tomorrow.
He explained: “It looks like Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are going to be mostly dry, just the odd shower, nothing like [Tuesday].
“Temperatures will be getting into the low-20s during the day [on Wednesday].
