In its most recent update, Met Eireann has issued a 'Danger to Life' Status Red warning for parts of the country on Friday morning. The extremely rare weather alert applies to counties Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick and is valid between 3am and 10am on Friday.

Met Eireann said "gale force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h"

One of Ireland's foremost weather experts has said Storm Eowyn could be 'the worst storm we have seen in years'

Met Eireann is warning that Storm Eowyn will hit Ireland and will bring damaging and destructive gusts of up to 130km/h

Met Éireann said: “Storm Éowyn will bring powerful and disruptive winds over Ireland on Thursday night and during Friday along with some transient snowfall in the north west. It will start to become “very stormy” on Thursday night, before the centre of Storm Éowyn tracks just off the north-west coast on Friday morning.

WEATHER bosses plan to issue orange and red warnings over the coming days as Met Eireann begin preparation for storm to hit. Ireland is set to be hit by “severe” and

Met Eireann has issued first warnings for Storm Eowyn as damaging very strong to gale forces winds and snow are forecast Ireland from Thursday night and through Friday.

The Met Office has named a new storm as winds of up to 80mph are expected to hit the UK this weekend. Storm Éowyn is forecast to make landfall in Ireland late on Thursday before moving on to the rest of the UK on Friday according to Met Office models.

Brits have been warned to strap down their furniture and buckle in as killer winds will sweep over the UK – with the Met Office sharing warnings for travel disruption