This week marks eight years since Storm Ophelia struck Ireland, bringing some of the most extreme weather conditions ever recorded in the country during the month of October.

On 16 October 2017, the extratropical remnants of Hurricane Ophelia made landfall, producing violent storm-force winds, and widespread disruption.

Ophelia was a rare hurricane setting a new record as the farthest east occurring major Hurricane in the Atlantic Basin.

The system began as a tropical depression in the eastern Atlantic on 9 October and intensified into a Category 3 hurricane south of the Azores. It reached peak sustained winds of 185 km/h and a central pressure of 959 hPa before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone as it moved north toward Ireland. Its path was highly unusual, tracking northeast and striking the country directly from the south.

Meteorologically, the storm was exceptional. At Roches Point in County Cork, mean wind speeds reached 115 km/h, classified as a violent storm on the Beaufort scale. This was the highest October mean wind speed ever recorded in Ireland. The same location also registered a gust of 156 km/h, while offshore, Fastnet Lighthouse recorded a gust of 191 km/h. The strongest onshore October gust in Ireland was 178 km/h, recorded at Rosslare in County Wexford in 1995.

Met Éireann issued a nationwide Red Weather Warning for wind, prompting the closure of schools, public offices, and transport services. Despite extensive precautions, three fatalities were reported and damage across the country was estimated at over €75 million.

By 2.30pm on Monday, 16 October 2017, the worst of Storm Ophelia had passed over Kerry, leaving hundreds of mature trees felled and flooding in several areas that rendered roads impassable. In Galway city, coastal defences along the Salthill promenade were completely breached, leading to extensive flooding. Limerick city also experienced flooding and water surges driven by strong offshore winds in the Shannon Estuary.

Dublin escaped the worst of the storm, though the fire brigade responded to more than 70 major incidents involving fallen trees. Counties across the northwest and midlands also faced severe disruption, with widespread road closures and thousands of homes left without power.

Schools remained closed on Tuesday, 17 October, as a precaution while damage assessments were carried out, fallen power lines were made safe, and hazardous travel conditions were addressed.

Storm Ophelia remains a benchmark in Irish meteorology and emergency planning. It prompted significant improvements in forecasting systems and public communication strategies.