Met Eireann has issued an orange status weather warning - as heavy rain and strong winds are expected to batter the country later today.

Up to 40 millimetres of rain is forecast to fall in all areas this evening and into Monday morning - which may cause spot flooding in places.

While gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to batter parts of Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Cork, Kerry and Waterford tonight.

 Met Eireann meterologist Harm Luijkx says flooding is possible in some parts of the country.