Ireland is braced for severe stormy weather as the first major storm of the season is set to make landfall on Sunday.

Met Eireann has warned that Storm Ashley will bring "very strong and gusty southerly winds", which, coupled with high spring tides, may cause coastal flooding.

Storm Ashley will bring severe gales after forming 'rapidly' from Saturday onwards. Weather experts have warned of the 'explosive' cyclogenesis which is set to bring turbulent conditions to Ireland and the UK as gusts could reach to high speeds of 120km/h which may cause power outages and damage power lines, and damage to weakened structures, the forecaster said.

A status Orange wind warning has been put in place for Kerry, Leitrim, Sligo, Clare, Donegal, Mayo and Galway. The warning will come into effect at 12pm Sunday and will remain in place until 8pm.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country is under a status-yellow wind warning from midnight on Saturday until 3am on Monday

Met Eireann is warning people in every county to expect coastal flooding; large coastal waves; some fallen trees, branches; difficult travelling conditions and debris, loose objects displaced.

The national forecaster has warned people in the counties under the Status Orange warning that conditions on Sunday will be treacherous for travel and people in the west should brace themselves for very strong winds and flooding due to large swells, very high seas, and winds of 140km/h and higher.

Follow the latest updates below or get the latest headlines on our homepage.