The ESB says it expects to have power restored this afternoon to all households affected by blackouts.

Up to 1,400 households were left without electricity at lunchtime, but many have now had their power restored.

It follows gale force winds caused countrywide outages.

Around 1,900 households were without power this morning due to stormy conditions in parts of the country overnight.

The majority of customers affected were in Cavan and Monaghan, with around 700 outages recorded.

Nearly 600 households had power cuts around Swinford in Co Mayo, while a further 300 homes were blacked out near Rathdrum in Co Wicklow.

Faults were also reported in Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford and Donegal.

Meanwhile, Irish Ferries is warning that all Swift sailing between Dublin and Holyhead have been cancelled.

All passengers with valid tickets will be accommodated on the cruise ferry sailings.

Originally posted at 10.02am