Halloween was marked by a display of lightning over the Irish Sea and parts of Leinster and south Munster on Friday night.

Met Éireann had earlier issued a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for six counties including Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wicklow.

Thundery downpours were reported in several areas but the most intense lightning activity developed over the Irish Sea. Strikes were observed in Ballydehob and Fermoy in Co Cork and in Ardmore, Co Waterford. Four cloud-to-ground strikes were also recorded near Arklow in Co Wicklow.

Sherkin Island in Co Cork recorded the highest rainfall of the evening with 17.4mm while Johnstown Castle in Wexford reported 16mm.

The heavy rain was linked to an occluded front wrapped around a low-pressure system moving northwards across Ireland. Scattered outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, were expected to continue overnight, particularly in Ulster and Leinster.

Drier weather is forecast for most areas on Saturday, although showers are likely to develop along coastal counties during the afternoon.