Storm Dave Leaves 18,000 Without Power Across Ireland as Easter Weekend Disrupted
Storm Dave, the fourth named storm of the year, battered Ireland over the Easter weekend, leaving approximately 18,000 homes, farms, and businesses without power across the Republic and causing widespread travel disruption, including flight cancellations and ferry suspensions.
Met Eireann issued yellow and orange wind warnings as the storm brought gusts of up to 70 mph to parts of the country, with the worst impacts felt in coastal and rural areas. ESB Networks crews worked through the challenging conditions to restore power, with around 1,000 customers still affected by Sunday afternoon.
Travel Disruption
The storm caused significant disruption to travel across the island. At Dublin Airport, challenging wind conditions led to 17 flight cancellations, 53 go-arounds, and 13 diversions, affecting thousands of passengers travelling over the Easter weekend. Ferry sailings between Belfast and Scotland were also cancelled, leaving travellers stranded.
Road users were advised to exercise caution, with fallen trees and debris reported on roads across several counties. Local councils took precautionary measures by closing public facilities and parks, and the Maritime and Coast Guard agency issued warnings about the dangers of being near cliff edges during the high winds.
Power Outages
The power outages were widespread, with ESB Networks reporting that crews were working to address faults across multiple counties. The storm's impact was felt particularly in rural areas, where restoration work is more complex and time-consuming. By Sunday afternoon, the majority of affected customers had been reconnected, with ESB Networks continuing to work on the remaining outages.
In Northern Ireland, around 2,000 homes were left without electricity at the peak of the storm, with areas such as Newtownhamilton in County Armagh and Seaforde in County Down among the worst affected. Northern Ireland Electricity engineers worked throughout the challenging conditions to restore supply.
Why It Matters
The storm's arrival over the Easter weekend — one of the busiest travel periods of the year — compounded its impact significantly. For many families, the disruption affected plans to travel home or visit relatives, adding to the frustration of an already challenging period given the broader economic pressures facing households.
What's Next
Met Eireann has indicated that conditions are expected to improve through Sunday, with the storm system moving away from Ireland. ESB Networks and NIE have both committed to restoring all remaining outages as quickly as possible.
Full coverage at RTE News.
