Two status yellow rain warnings issued for seven counties, including Cork

The forecaster has warned there will be heavy and persistent rain, "with the possibility of thunderstorms" throughout this time. 

The possible impacts include localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.

The second rain warning impacts Clare, Limerick, Galway, Mayo and Sligo will also come into effect at 3pm on Thursday. It will remain in place until 3am on Friday.

Localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions are expected in those counties. 

Overall, Met Éireann is predicting “unsettled weather” throughout the week, with temperatures near or above normal for this time of year.

On Thursday, there will be morning rain in the west and northwest but elsewhere, it "will be largely dry apart from some patches of light rain or drizzle". 

The forecaster said: "The rain will spread further east through the afternoon and evening, with some heavy falls possibly causing localised flooding. Highest temperatures of 13C to 16C with moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds, becoming northerly over the western half of the country later."

While it will be "wet and breezy with widespread rain" on Thursday night, Friday will see the weather "becoming dry in the northwest, but remaining unsettled with rain across the rest of the country".

The warnings come on the back of Storm Ashley hitting the country last weekend.

Power outages were reported across the country on Sunday, with up to 53,000 people left without power at the peak of the storm, with Cork, Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Clare, Kerry and Dublin the worst hit counties.