Lightning over Shantemon Mountain. Photo by Owen Martin

Many without power following overnight storms

Power outages

ESB Networks are working to restore home to thousands of homes this morning following thunder and lightning storms overnight with County Cavan one of the worst counties affected.

The south and east of the Breffni county are worst effected with the latest updates from ESB Networks estimating that power will not be restored until this afternoon - perhaps 2pm or 2:30pm.

Bailieborough, Virginia and Mullagh are all hit; while the Finea area which covers large parts of the Mullahoran, Ballinagh and Kilnaleck areas is also hit.

The wider Carrigallen area is also without power including rural parts of west Cavan.

The storm was one of the biggest in recent years with lightning lighting up the sky for almost a couple of hours and thunder rumbling almost continuously.

It broke the heatwave, with Ireland enjoying temperatures topping 30 degrees locally in some parts on Friday and Saturday - a record high for the month of August.

Temperatures are set to return to normal this week.