Limerick's reputation for constant downpours may have been copper-fastened by Frank McCourt's description of "great sheets of rain" gathering off the Atlantic coast but the city defied the national trend yesterday as the showers petered out.
Met Eireann in Shannon reported 6.6 mm of rain between midnight on Sunday and midday yesterday but from late morning, the region was dry. Gale-force winds gave a seasonal feel to the day but Sunday's 18.5 mm of rain was absorbed and there were few floods. Areas prone to flooding such as the Long Pavement at Parteen near Limerick remained unaffected. Minor roads in north Tipperary were flooded but remained passable.
Gardai said there were few problems apart from some fallen trees and branches, which were cleared quickly, and some large puddles on main roads.
The Shannon car ferry between Kilimer and Tarbert continued to run to schedule. An ESB spokesman said there had been power cuts in Ennis, Tubber and Sixmilebridge in Co Clare, and in the south of Limerick, leaving up to 3,000 people without electricity at different times. "There were very small numbers left without power overnight", he said.
Line disruption near Dublin led to a severe curtailing of train services from Limerick. Mr Jim Gallivan of Iarnrod Eireann said the service to Rosslare ran but with few passengers because of the ferry cancellations. He said a service from Limerick and Cork to Kildare was expected today.