Met Éireann has issued a severe weather warning across the country, with storm-force winds expected on all coastal areas for much of the weekend.
It is thought that the worst of the weather will be in the south and south-west with more than 50mm of rain having already fallen in some places.
Bus Éireann last night reported delays of up to one hour on some routes, while several ferry services were cancelled. Sea passengers are advised to contact the ferry companies well in advance of their departure for the latest news on sailings.
"Our services have been experiencing a lot of problems with so much water on the roads," said a spokesman for Bus Éireann, who added that routes around Athlone and Longford seemed to be the worst affected.
A spokesman for Iarnród Éireann said flooding had forced the Dublin to Tralee train to terminate at Killarney, with a bus service in operation for the remainder of the journey. Trees on the line between Coolmine and Clonsilla on the Dublin-Maynooth line also caused delays last night.
The 6 a.m. Aer Áran flight from Kerry to Dublin was cancelled yesterday because of high winds. Fishing vessels sought shelter in harbours, and gardaí warned motorists to be vigilant.
In Cork, county council workers were called out to deal with flooding on the main Cork to Killarney road near Ballyvourney, while there were reports of fallen trees near Whitechurch and on the main Mallow-Mitchelstown Road.With high winds expected overnight, ESB crews were on stand-by to restore electricity in case of power cuts. Gardaí last night reported severe flooding in Foynes, Co Limerick.
Met Éireann said severe south to south-west winds were expected last night in parts of Munster, Leinster and east Ulster, with average speeds of 30 to 40 m.p.h. and gusts of 75 to 85 m.p.h. Gale to storm-force south-west winds have been hitting coasts from Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point to Valentia. The cold and windy weather is set to continue today with a mix of sunshine and heavy showers.