People across Ireland are reporting a spectacular fireball lighting up the night sky this evening, with social media filling with reactions to the unusual sight.

The bright object, described as a fireball, has caught the attention of skywatchers, with people taking to social media to share their experiences.

The fireball was spotted shortly after 8pm with eyewitness reports most prominent across the north and west.

The sighting comes as the Northern Taurid meteor shower reaches its peak tonight, November 12, providing a possible explanation for the display.

The annual meteor shower is known for producing particularly bright meteors, some of which can appear as brilliant fireballs streaking across the night sky.

According to NASA, the Northern Taurids are expected to produce around five meteors an hour under ideal viewing conditions, although occasional fireballs can be considerably more spectacular.

The meteors are caused by debris from Comet Encke entering the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burning up.

The International Meteor Organization lists November 11–12 as the peak of this year’s Northern Taurid display.