Continuing flooding and thunder cause damage across the country

Reminiscent of the lost city of Atlantis, much of Ireland is underwater as the country has been battered by heavy flooding and torrential rainfall since Wednesday. And there is more on the way too warns Mét Eireann, the Irish National Meteorological Service.

The severity of this deluge of water has only intensified since the beginning of the week. A Status Orange Alert, the second most serious weather warning, was issued on Wednesday after many towns and villages found themselves already submerged in water.

While strong winds and rains have swept across the country, flooding has been localized in a few areas, mainly along the east coast of the country and the north.

The areas affected by flooding include the south-easterly towns of Wexford and Enniscorthy, as well as parts of Dublin, Waterford and Wicklow.

Enniscorthy, which James Joyce once called "the finest place in the world" was one of the most unfortunate victims of the elements. Schools were advised to remain shut and the town came to a standstill as the River Slaney burst its banks.

Dramatic scenes unfolded on the outskirts of the town when a group of seventeen horses had to be saved from equine peril. The horses will live to gallop another day after their daring rescue by the brave Wexford Search and Rescue team.

Earlier in the day, another, smaller group of horses managed to escape the rising tide after a resourceful member of the team of horses led them all to safety.

Flash flooding has caused significant delays to the Irish people, with the trains and buses running behind schedule across much of the country.

Flooding wasn’t reserved to just the east coast, as the same high winds and freezing rain buffeted Northern counties. Worst hit was Newry, with the road between the flooded Armagh town and neighbouring Belfast made impassable.

The rainfall is expected to ease off somewhat coming into the weekend and the weather alert has been downgraded from Orange to Yellow. Even still, rain is expected to reach between one and a half and two inches over the weekend. Thankfully that hasn't stopped some people from seeing the lighter side of things!