Met Éireann has issued a Small Craft Warning for all coastal waters around Ireland, with southeasterly winds expected to reach Force 6 or higher from Friday evening through early Sunday.

The warning, which comes into effect at 7:00 p.m. Friday and remains in place until midnight on Sunday, signals potentially hazardous conditions for small vessels and coastal activities.

On land, winds are forecast to freshen overnight Friday into Saturday morning. Gusty southeasterly winds will persist throughout Saturday, with exposed areas along the Atlantic seaboard and parts of the southeast likely to experience gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour.

As Sunday progresses, winds are expected to veer southwesterly and gradually moderate as rain clears from the west.

The warning coincides with a period of unsettled weather expected to bring rain across much of the country from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

Rainfall totals from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning will range from 10-15mm generally, with higher totals along the south coast and on hills and mountains.